Across the U.S., housing stock is aging in uneven, sometimes surprising ways. In many cities, the typical home was built decades ago, not because preservation was the goal, but because new construction never fully caught up after past downturns.
The result is a patchwork housing market where older homes dominate not just coastal enclaves, but post-industrial cities, college towns, and sprawling metros better known for growth than for age.
In 2012, according to an analysis by Redfin, the typical U.S. home was 35 years old. Today it’s 41, in large part because construction has lagged since the Great Recession. However, the age of housing varies dramatically by city. Some markets have leaned into their historical identity and preserved older homes, while others struggle with the twin challenges of limited new supply and rising prices.
Here are 10 cities where history isn’t just preserved — it’s lived in every day.
