Published October 4, 2026 in Market Update

Cook County demand kept pace even as listings rose

By Alison Aviles

Real estate, Cook County

Here is the number that matters most for Cook County homeowners right now. The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 3,676 new listings across Cook County in the three months ending July 31, 2026, up 3.3% from a year before. That is more supply. Yet pending sales rose 4.2% in the same period, also from the Real Estate Data Aggregator. Demand kept up. That balance is what shapes your price and your timeline.

Even with more listings coming in, active inventory fell. The Real Estate Data Aggregator counted 2,202 homes for sale across these Cook County ZIP codes, down 8% from a year before. New listings arrived and buyers absorbed them quickly. That kept the shelf thin.

Chicago prices outpaced the nation

Redfin reported Chicago home prices rose 9.2% year over year in August 2026. That is well above the national figure. Redfin put U.S. home prices up just 3.7% year over year in August 2026. The Federal Housing Finance Agency added context: Illinois ranked fourth among all states for annual price appreciation, at 5.6%, as of August 25, 2026. The Elgin metro area led the 100 largest metros with a 7.7% annual gain, also from the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

One note of caution from the national picture: Redfin reported that 21% of U.S. home sellers dropped their asking price in the four weeks ending September 20, 2026, up from 19.8% a year earlier. And Realtor.com reported mortgage rates surged above 7% for the first time since January 2025. Rates above 7% slow some buyers. That is worth knowing as you set a price.

How each ZIP code stacked up

The county picture is one thing. Each ZIP code tells its own story. Here is where median prices landed in the three months ending July 31, 2026, according to the Real Estate Data Aggregator.

Big price gains in some ZIP codes, dips in others

Not every ZIP code moved the same way. The Real Estate Data Aggregator showed 60614 up 21.3% in median sale price year over year, and 60016 up 22%. But 60067 dipped 4%, 60005 dipped 2.7%, and 60624 fell 17%. The county average masks a wide range. Your street may read very differently from the ZIP code total.

Speed: most homes moved in under six weeks

Across most ZIP codes, the Real Estate Data Aggregator found median days on market between 36 and 57 days. ZIP 60614 and 60618 and 60657 each hit 36 days. ZIP 60624 sat at 75 days and 60644 at 71 days. Those two are the outliers. Everywhere else, a well-priced home found a buyer within two months.

Sale-to-list ratios: buyers paid over asking in most ZIP codes

The Real Estate Data Aggregator found that in ZIP 60614 and 60618, homes sold at 105% of list price on average. ZIP 60625 and 60657 also hit 105.2%. In 60623, homes averaged 97.5% of list, the only ZIP code below 100%. Sharp pricing still gets results. Overpricing still costs sellers.

Months of supply: tight in most places, loose in a few

The Real Estate Data Aggregator put months of supply at 1.2 in 60657 and 1.3 in 60614. Those are very tight. ZIP 60624 sat at 6.5 months and 60644 at 4.1 months. Those two have more room for buyers to negotiate. Every other ZIP code in this market landed between 1.5 and 3.6 months.

Homes going under contract fast

The Real Estate Data Aggregator tracked how many homes went under contract within two weeks of listing. In 60618, that share was 64.5%. In 60657 it was 68.3%. In 60641 it reached 66.9%. Those numbers tell you buyers are ready and watching. In 60624, only 28.2% of homes went under contract that quickly. Preparation and price still decide which side of that line your home lands on.