Columbus home sales slowed in September while inventory kept climbing. Approximately 2,550 homes closed (down about 5.7% from a year ago), active listings reached approximately 6,530 (up about 12.3%), and the median sale price was approximately $334,250 (up about 2.8%). Over the same stretch, the average 30-year mortgage rate rose to approximately 7.40%, its highest level since late 2023. Here is a closer look at the numbers.
Welcome to this month's Columbus real estate update. The housing data below reflects September 2026, as published in the Columbus REALTORS® Central Ohio Housing Report released October 13, 2026. Month-over-month comparisons use the August 2026 report (released September 14). Mortgage rate figures are current as of mid-October.
What happened in the Columbus housing market in September?
Total Inventory
approximately 6,530 active listings at month-end, up about 12.3% from September 2025 and about 6.6% from August (6,124).
New Listings
approximately 3,316 homes were added in September, up about 2.3% year over year and roughly flat versus August (3,292).
Closed Sales
approximately 2,550 closed transactions, down about 5.7% from September 2025 and about 7.2% from August (2,749). Homes under contract totaled approximately 2,448, down about 12.7% year over year.
Median Days on Market
approximately 33 days, up from 30 in August and 30 a year ago, a modest slowing in pace.
Median Sale Price
approximately $334,250, up about 2.8% from September 2025 ($325,000), continuing year-over-year appreciation; down about 3.3% from August's seasonal high of $345,500.
Months of Inventory
approximately 2.6 months, up from 2.4 in August. Supply is improving but the market still favors sellers (a balanced market is roughly 5–6 months).
Source: Columbus REALTORS® Housing Reports
Where are mortgage rates right now?
30-Year Conventional Fixed
approximately 7.40% (Freddie Mac PMMS, week of October 8), up from approximately 7.28% the prior week and roughly 6.9–7.0% in late September. This is the highest level since late 2023 and about 1.1 points above a year ago (6.30%).
30-Year FHA Loan
approximately 7.23% (APR approximately 7.27%) per Bankrate's national average on October 15.
10-Year Treasury Note
approximately 5.2% (roughly 5.17%–5.23% in late September through early October), near its highest level since 2007. Mortgage rates tend to move with the 10-year yield, so the recent bond selloff is the main driver of higher borrowing costs. Reports indicate yields moved higher again after the October 14–15 inflation data.
Sources: Freddie Mac PMMS; Bankrate; FRED – 10 Year Treasury
What is happening in the Columbus economy?
Columbus continues to attract investment across manufacturing, defense technology, data infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
- One Columbus – 2026 Mac Conway Award: Site Selection magazine ranked One Columbus among the nation's top 20 regional economic development groups for the eighth time in nine years. The organization announced 39 projects representing approximately 7,000 jobs and $5 billion in capital investment in 2025. (Columbus Region)
- Job growth: BLS data show the Columbus metro added approximately 20,600 jobs from December 2024 to December 2025 (about 1.9% growth), the fourth-fastest among the 55 largest U.S. metros and the highest in the Midwest. (Columbus Region)
- Anduril Arsenal-1: The planned autonomous-systems manufacturing campus near Rickenbacker Airport in Pickaway County is slated for approximately 4,000 jobs, the largest single job-creation project in state history per the governor's announcement. Production was targeted to begin in 2026. (Defense News)
- Cologix data-center campus: Business First/Hoodline reporting cites a planned data-center campus in Licking County of approximately $7 billion and 800 MW, to be built in phases, reinforcing Central Ohio's role as a growing data-center hub. (Hoodline)
- Major employer base: Central Ohio's 650+ largest employers account for nearly 400,000 payroll jobs, led by The Ohio State University (approximately 36,400 local employees), OhioHealth (approximately 28,100), and the State of Ohio (approximately 24,300), a diversified base that supports housing demand. (Hoodline)
- Rental market: Columbus renters pay approximately $1,521 per month, up about 2.6% year over year per Zillow, and Colliers expects apartment construction to fall significantly this year, which may tighten rental supply over time. (Axios Columbus)
MACRO CONTEXT
Rates, not prices, are driving this month's story.
The Federal Reserve raised its target range to approximately 3.75%–4.00% on September 16, its first increase since 2023, and markets are pricing in the possibility of further increases later this year. Long-term Treasury yields have climbed to levels not seen in roughly two decades, pushing 30-year mortgage rates above 7%. For Central Ohio, relative affordability (the median price remains well below the national figure) and rising inventory help offset higher financing costs, but monthly payments are meaningfully higher than a year ago and closed sales have softened. Sources: Freddie Mac PMMS; FRED – 10-Year Treasury.
How did September compare with August?
| Metric | Aug 2026 | Sep 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Inventory | 6,124 | 6,530 | ▲ 6.6% |
| New Listings | 3,292 | 3,316 | ▲ 0.7% |
| Closed Sales | 2,749 | 2,550 | ▼ 7.2% |
| Median Days on Market | 30 | 33 | ▲ 3 days |
| Median Sale Price | $345,500 | $334,250 | ▼ 3.3% |
| Months of Inventory | 2.4 | 2.6 | ▲ 0.2 |
| 30-Year Fixed Rate* | ~6.95% | ~7.40% | ▲ ~0.45 pts |
| 10-Year Treasury Yield* | ~5.17% | ~5.23% | ▲ ~0.06 pts |
Prior month = August 2026; current = September 2026, both from the official Columbus REALTORS® Central Ohio Housing Reports. *Rate rows are not part of the Columbus REALTORS® reports: they compare a late-September reading with the most recent October reading (Freddie Mac PMMS / news-reported Treasury yields) and are approximate. Green = generally favorable for buyer choice or affordability; muted red = unfavorable. The price decline reflects normal seasonal softening.
Market snapshot
- Total Inventory: ~6,530
- New Listings: ~3,316
- Closed Sales: ~2,550
- Median Sale Price: ~$334,250
- Median Days on Market: ~33 days
- Months of Inventory: ~2.6
- 30-Year Mortgage Rate: ~7.40%
- FHA Rate: ~7.23%
- 10-Year Treasury: ~5.2%
A note from Pete
Thank you for being part of the Columbus market with me. Whether you are buying, selling, or simply keeping an eye on your investment, I welcome you to reach out anytime. You will always get honest, accurate information from me.
My commitment is always to your best interest, and sometimes that means recommending patience over action. Real estate is one of the most significant financial decisions most people ever make, and it deserves careful thought and the right timing for your situation.
If you have questions, please call me directly. I am genuinely available, with no pressure and no agenda beyond making sure you have the information you need.
With appreciation,
Pete Dorinsky
REAFCO Real Estate
pete@reafco.com · 614-957-2793
Disclaimer: All data and information are based on the most recently available reports and are subject to change. This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice.
