Anyone can look up the date a city was founded. But what does that really say about the age of a city? St. Augustine, FL was founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers, but it’s housing stock — the age of its buildings — is quite young. Las Vegas, NV was founded in 1905, but only .3% of its housing stock dates from before 1940. Nationwide, much of the housing stock dates to after World War Two. Only 14% of existing residences were built before 1940. But, as you’ll see, the vintage of the housing stock depends greatly on where you are.

Vintage of Housing Stock in 10 Largest U.S. Cities

First we will take a look at the vintage of the housing stock in the 10 largest cities in the United States. Then we’ll look at the metro areas in the U.S. with the oldest housing stock. We hope you enjoy!

10. San Jose, CA

A relatively new metro area, the capital of Silicon Valley, is San Jose, CA. 6% of the housing stock in San Jose was built before 1940. 9% was built before 1950. 21% was built before 1960. The median listing price in San Jose is pricey at $750,000.

9. Dallas, TX

Also a relatively new metro area is Dallas, TX. Just 6% of the housing stock in Dallas dates from before 1940. 12% of homes were built before 1950, and 26% was built before 1960. The median listing price in Dallas is $385,000.

8. San Diego, CA

Only 7% of homes in San Diego were built before 1940. 12% of homes in San Diego were born before 1950. 25% of homes there date to before 1960. The median listing price for homes in San Diego is $649,000.

7. San Antonio, TX

Just 6% of homes built in San Antonio, TX were built before 1940. 11% were born before 1950. 22% were built before 1960. The median listing price for homes in San Antonio is just $235,000.

6. Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix is an extremely new city with just 2% of its housing stock built before 1940. 5% of homes were built before 1950, and 16% date from before 1960. The median listing price for a Phoenix home is $285,000.

5. Philadelphia, PA

An older city, the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia also has an older housing stock than many major cities on this list. 40% of its homes were built before 1940. 55% were built before 1950, and 72% were built before 1960. The median listing price is $165,000.

4. Houston, TX

At this point in the list, you should be noticing strong tendencies based on geographic region. Houston, TX, like the other Texas cities on this list, has a relatively new housing stock. Only 5% of its homes were built before 1940. 10% were built before 1950, and 21% were built before 1960. The median listing price is $282,000.

3. Chicago, IL

Chicago has the oldest housing stock among the top 10 metro areas, with 46% of homes in built before 1940. Just over half, 52%, were built before 1950, and 66% were built before 1960. The median listing price is $245,000.

2. Los Angeles, CA

20% of homes in the City of Angels were built before 1940. 31% were built before 1950, and just under half, 49%, were built before 1960. The median listing price is $775,000.

1. New York City, NY

42% of homes in New York City were built before 1940. Just over half of homes, 52%, were built before 1950. 66% of homes in the Big Apple were built before 1960. Pricey by most standards, the median listing price for homes in New York City is $849,000.

The Oldest Metro Areas in the U.S.

Buffalo, New York holds the title of having the oldest housing stock in the United States, among major metro areas. A whopping 63% of homes were built before 1940. 84% were built before 1960. Detroit, Michigan is the only other major U.S. city with over 80% of homes built before 1960 (81%). 57% of homes in the Motor City were built before 1950.

Other major U.S. cities with old housing stock are Cleveland (77% built before 1960), St. Louis (77% built before 1960) and Baltimore (72% built before 1960). Want to check out other cities? Here you go!

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