U.S. Cities with the Highest Concentration of High-Value Homes: Ranked
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The city where housing prices beat the average is Miami, with the highest number of above-average-priced homes per square mile.
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Honolulu stands out for having the most expensive average home prices on the list.
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The large land area of San Antonio contributes to its lower housing density, even with one of the highest overall counts of premium properties.
A recent study by Badeloft USA analyzed the concentration of high-value homes across cities using data from reputable real estate databases. Key metrics included each city’s total land area in square miles, average house price, and the number of properties priced above this average. Cities were then ranked based on this density metric, with higher values indicating a greater concentration of premium properties.
| City | Area mi2 | Average house price | Number of houses above average | Number of houses above average per square mile |
| Miami | 36.0 | $584.6K | 3,796 | 105.44 |
| New York City | 300.5 | $763.8K | 11,427 | 38.03 |
| Las Vegas | 141.9 | $424K | 3,701 | 26.08 |
| Philadelphia | 134.3 | $218.8K | 3,214 | 23.93 |
| Washington | 68.3 | $589.1K | 1,225 | 17.93 |
| Boston | 48.4 | $745.8K | 698 | 14.42 |
| San Antonio | 498.9 | $251K | 6,983 | 14.00 |
| Detroit | 138.7 | $74.2K | 1,803 | 13.00 |
| Chicago | 227.7 | $295.7K | 2,759 | 12.12 |
| Honolulu | 68.4 | $773.4K | 826 | 12.08 |
Miami takes the top spot with 105 above-average-priced homes per square mile, making it the densest city for premium real estate on the list. The city has a compact geography of 36 mi2, which explains this high concentration and leaves little room for expansion. With an average home price of $584K, Miami’s market stands out for its density and exclusive offerings, which makes it a sought-after destination for luxury living.
In second place, New York City averages 38 luxury homes. While its density is much lower than Miami’s, New York far exceeds other cities in total premium properties, with 11,000 high-value homes spread across 300 square miles. The city also has the highest average home price on the list, at $763K, reflecting its position as a global real estate destination.
Las Vegas takes third place with 26 houses. The city has a moderately high total of 3,701 premium properties and a land area of 142 square miles. Its density is nearly double that of Chicago, which shows its growing influence in the luxury housing market.
Philadelphia ranks fourth, with 23 above-average-priced homes. The city contains 3,214 premium properties across 134 square miles. With the lowest average house price among the top cities at $218K, this density highlights the city’s strong real estate growth.
Washington, D.C., rounds out the top five with 17 premium homes. Its compact size of 68 square miles contributes to this density, with 1,225 above-average-priced homes. Its average house price of $589K ranks among the higher end of the spectrum.
Boston is sixth, having 14 houses. With just 698 above-average-priced homes, Boston’s smaller size of 48 square miles helps maintain its density. The city’s average house price of $745K, however, ranks second on the list, reflecting the premium nature of its housing market.
San Antonio ranks seventh with a density of 14 houses. The city has one of the highest counts of above-average-priced homes at almost 7K, but its large land area of nearly 500 square miles significantly lowers its density.
Detroit follows in eighth place with a density of 13 houses. The city has 1,803 above-average-priced homes, and its average house price of $74K is by far the lowest on the list. This difference shows Detroit’s affordability while still showing signs of concentrated real estate growth.
Chicago is ninth, with 12 houses per square mile. Spanning 227 square miles, Chicago is home to 2,759 above-average-priced properties. Its density is comparable to Honolulu, but the city’s larger size provides more opportunities for both buyers and investors.
Honolulu rounds out the top ten with a density of 12 houses. It has the most expensive average home price at $773K. It also has just 826 above-average-priced homes, which sets Honolulu apart from other cities.
A spokesperson from Badeloft USA commented on the study: “High-value home density sheds light on how urban geography, land distribution, and market pressures shape housing trends. Cities with smaller land areas often experience concentrated demand for premium properties, while larger regions show more varied growth patterns. These findings highlight the intricate balance between affordability, housing accessibility, and economic forces driving real estate markets. Buyers and investors should carefully consider these factors when evaluating opportunities in different markets.”
You can see the full research by this link.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
