March 2026 Central Ohio Housing Report from Columbus REALTORS®
Inventory growth helps fuel a steady start to the central Ohio spring housing market.
Sortable Housing Stats by School District/County
Central Ohio Housing Statistics
COLUMBUS, Ohio (April 13, 2026) — Three months into 2026, the housing market remains on pace with 2025. Sales in March increased by 0.5%, with 2,118 closings recorded in the Columbus & Central Ohio Regional MLS.
Month-to-month home sales rose 21.2% from February to March, a predictable trend as winter frost gives way to spring flowers.
Total inventory increased by 3.1% year over year, reaching 4,067 units. That gain helped offset a steady rise in mortgage rates throughout March. In late February, the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell below 6% for the first time since 2022. Since then, rising oil prices tied to the war with Iran and higher inflation have pushed the 30-year fixed rate up by just over half a percentage point in a little more than a month. On a median-priced home in central Ohio, that equates to about $109 more per month.
“One thing I’ve learned throughout my career is that finding the ‘perfect’ time to buy or sell doesn’t exist,” said Columbus REALTORS® President Gloria Alonso Cannon. “The market will do what it does, and sitting on the sidelines because of a half percent here or there usually doesn’t work out for either side of the transaction.”
The median sale price in March was $335,000, an increase of 4.7% year over year, and buyers were saving an average of 1.3% at closing. Homes stayed on the market for seven days longer than last March (46 days), which equals a 1.6-month supply of inventory.
“This market continues to reward preparation,” said Alonso Cannon. “Taking steps to get your home ready to sell can make a real difference, but it is smart to talk with your REALTOR® first. They can help you decide which projects are worth the investment and which ones may not pay off.”
Of the 2,118 closed sales, 1,045 occurred in Franklin County, representing a 3.1% decrease from the previous year. Pickaway County saw a 19% increase in new listings in March as 100 homes entered the market at a median sales price of $357,000.
In the local spotlight, Olentangy Local School District saw a 24% increase in sales (123) and new listings (184). Worthington City School District reported 47 sales, a 52% rise year over year. Gahanna Jefferson City School District had a strong March with 50 sales, a 16% increase compared to last year.
Over three months, there have been 5,389 closed sales, which is four more properties than the first three months of 2025. New listings are also nearly the same, with 7,730 in 2026 compared to 7,737 through March 2025.
About Columbus REALTORS®
Columbus REALTORS® represent nearly 10,000 real estate professionals across Central Ohio and serve as the voice for real estate and property ownership in the region.
The Columbus & Central Ohio Regional Multiple Listing Service (MLS) serves all of Franklin, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Hocking, Licking, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Perry, Pickaway, and Union Counties, and parts of Athens, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Knox, Logan, Muskingum, and Ross counties. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbus REALTORS®.
For media inquiries, please contact Craig Hicks, Senior Director of Communication & Engagement at Columbus REALTORS®.
