Key Takeaways
- Sold listings totaled 1,755 in September 2026, with 11,472 active listings, 1,791 pending listings, and 3,062 new listings across Palm Beach County.
- The absorption rate fell to 5.29 months from 7.72 months a year ago, a drop of 31.48% that shows the pace of the market cooling sharply while prices keep climbing.
- The median sale price rose 4.94% year over year to $510,000, while the average sale price climbed 16.17% to $930,846, reflecting the county's mix of luxury sales.
- Homes sold a bit faster than a year ago, with the median home selling in 42 days and the average at 83 days, down from 93 days in September 2025.
- Year-to-date, the median sale price is $520,000 and the absorption rate stands at 6.41 months versus 8.2 months a year ago, confirming the broader 2026 trend toward balance with higher prices.
The Palm Beach County September 2026 housing market report shows a market that is cooling in pace while prices keep climbing. Sold listings totaled 1,755, pending listings reached 1,791, active inventory stood at 11,472, and 3,062 new listings came on the market during the month.
Prices moved higher on a year-over-year basis, with the median sale price up 4.94% to $510,000 and the average sale price up 16.17% to $930,846, reflecting the county's mix of luxury sales. The absorption rate fell from 7.72 months in September 2025 to 5.29 months, a sharp year-over-year cooling in the pace at which inventory is being absorbed.
I am Rhonda Townsend with 1st Real Estate Solution Inc. After more than 12 years of helping buyers and sellers throughout Palm Beach County, I have learned that monthly reports are most useful when we connect them to your specific neighborhood, property type, and goals. This report covers the full September 2026 numbers, the year-over-year comparison, the year-to-date trends, and what they may mean for your next move.
What Are the Key Palm Beach County Housing Market Numbers for September 2026?
Here is a snapshot of the Palm Beach County housing market at the end of September 2026, straight from the Beaches MLS market summary.
| Market Indicator | September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Sold Listings | 1,755 |
| Pending Listings | 1,791 |
| Active Listings | 11,472 |
| New Listings | 3,062 |
1,755
Sold Listings
1,791
Pending
11,472
Active Listings
3,062
New Listings
These numbers reflect completed transactions, pending contracts, and active inventory for the full month of September 2026. New listings of 3,062 show that sellers continue to bring homes to market, and pending listings at 1,791 point to a healthy pipeline of closings in the weeks ahead.
How Did Palm Beach County Compare to September 2025?
Across nearly every measure, Palm Beach County prices and market conditions shifted compared to September 2025. Use your finger or cursor to scroll this table sideways on smaller screens to see all three columns.
| Metric | September 2026 | September 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absorption Rate | 5.29 months | 7.72 months | Down 31.48% |
| Average List Price (Actives) | $1,431,544 | $1,263,702 | Up 13.28% |
| Median List Price (Actives) | $469,000 | $469,000 | 0.00% |
| Average Sale Price (Solds) | $930,846 | $801,249 | Up 16.17% |
| Median Sale Price (Solds) | $510,000 | $485,980 | Up 4.94% |
| Average CDOM | 83 days | 93 days | Down 10.75% |
| Median CDOM | 42 days | 0 days | N/A |
Absorption Rate
Average List Price
Median List Price
Average Sale Price
Median Sale Price
Average CDOM
Median CDOM
The most dramatic move was in the absorption rate, which fell 31.48% from 7.72 months to 5.29 months. That means inventory is being absorbed more quickly than a year ago, a meaningful shift in the pace of the market even as prices moved higher.
The median sale price provides a more stable measure of the broader market. At $510,000, it was up 4.94% compared to $485,980 in September 2025. The average sale price rose 16.17% to $930,846, driven in part by waterfront and luxury transactions, where a relatively small number of high-value sales can move the countywide average significantly. The median list price held flat at $469,000, and homes sold faster at the median, with median CDOM at 42 days.
What Do the Year-to-Date Numbers Show?
Year-to-date data helps smooth out monthly fluctuations and shows the broader direction of the market through the first nine months of 2026. Scroll the table sideways on smaller screens to see all columns.
| Metric | 2026 YTD | 2025 YTD | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absorption Rate | 6.41 months | 8.2 months | Down 21.83% |
| Average List Price (Actives) | $1,220,775 | $1,105,496 | Up 10.43% |
| Median List Price (Actives) | $499,900 | $495,000 | Up 0.99% |
| Average Sale Price (Solds) | $1,001,561 | $874,316 | Up 14.55% |
| Median Sale Price (Solds) | $520,000 | $499,000 | Up 4.21% |
| Average CDOM | 89 days | 88 days | Up 1.14% |
| Median CDOM | 51 days | 57 days | Down 10.53% |
Absorption Rate
Average List Price
Median List Price
Average Sale Price
Median Sale Price
Average CDOM
Median CDOM
The year-to-date median sale price of $520,000 and average sale price of $1,001,561 confirm that Palm Beach County home values have moved higher in 2026. With the year-to-date absorption rate at 6.41 months versus 8.2 months a year ago, the market has been absorbing inventory at a faster pace through the first nine months of the year.
Key Takeaways from the September 2026 Palm Beach County Market
Beyond the raw numbers, a few themes stand out for anyone watching the Palm Beach County market this month.
First, the pace of the market has cooled sharply over the past year, with the absorption rate falling from 7.72 months to 5.29 months, while prices have continued to climb. Second, buyers have strong choice: 3,062 new listings and 11,472 active listings give the market real depth across price ranges.
Third, the gap between the average and median sale price remains wide, a reminder that waterfront and luxury sales continue to shape the countywide average. And fourth, homes sold a bit faster than a year ago, with the median home selling in 42 days. For a place like Palm Beach County, these conditions create real opportunities for both buyers and sellers depending on their neighborhood and price range.
What Do These Numbers Mean for Palm Beach County Buyers?
If you are buying, the cooling pace and deep inventory are working in your favor. With 11,472 active listings and 3,062 new listings in September, you have more choice than buyers had a year ago. At the same time, the median home sold in 42 days, so well-priced homes can still move quickly, and being prepared to act helps.
Prices are climbing, so the trade-off is more inventory against higher price levels. If you are comparing communities, my Wellington neighborhood guide and West Palm Beach community guide can help you sort through the lifestyle differences, and my buying guide walks through the rest of the process step by step. You can also see what is currently available on my search homes page.
What Do These Numbers Mean for Palm Beach County Sellers?
For sellers, the September report is encouraging on price. The median sale price rose 4.94% year over year to $510,000, and the average sale price is up 16.17%, with luxury and waterfront sales helping lift the countywide average. Homes also sold a bit faster than a year ago, with a median of 42 days on market.
Still, with 11,472 active listings, buyers can compare, so pricing realistically and presenting your home well remain the most important factors. If you are planning to sell and buy at the same time, my guide to selling and buying at the same time walks through the order of operations, and my selling guide covers preparing your home for the market. The market report page keeps the latest numbers for the county and its communities in one place.
Keep Up with the Latest Palm Beach County Market Reports
Market conditions shift month to month, so I publish regular updates for the county and its communities. Recent reports include the Wellington September 2026 market report, the West Palm Beach September 2026 report, the Lake Clarke Shores September 2026 report, and the Palm Beach County August 2026 market report. You can browse all of them from the market report page or the full articles page.
You can also find market summaries for Wellington, West Palm Beach, and Lake Clarke Shores through the site's market report pages. If you would like a personalized take on how these numbers apply to your neighborhood, price range, or timeline, I am happy to help.
Data cited in this article comes from the Beaches MLS Market Summary for Palm Beach County, September 2026. Figures are countywide and reflect residential activity for the month unless noted.
Want a Closer Look at Your Palm Beach County Market?
Whether you want a personalized market analysis for your neighborhood or a step-by-step plan for your next move, I'm here to help with honest, expert guidance and no pressure.
Rhonda Townsend, REALTOR® · A.I. Certified Agent™ · 1st Real Estate Solution Inc.
(561) 236-9772 ·
rtownsendrealestate@gmail.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Sources referenced in this article:
- • Beaches MLS — Market data source
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general educational and real estate information only. Market statistics describe broader activity and do not determine the value, selling time, or future performance of a specific property. Data is sourced from BeachesMLS and public records and may be subject to revision. Consult a qualified professional regarding your individual circumstances.
