New York real estate vs Los Angeles real estate since 2016
39% × 71%
Updated May 1, 2026 · Redfin
Since 2016, New York real estate returned 39% and Los Angeles real estate returned 71%, in U.S. dollars. Los Angeles real estate won the period — but with different risk: the worst drop was 46% (New York real estate) vs 14% (Los Angeles real estate).
Base 100 since 2016
Why compare New York home prices (US$/m²) and Los Angeles home prices (US$/m²)
New York and Los Angeles are the country's two largest, most expensive bicoastal markets, so people compare them to see which gateway city held value better. Both series are home prices per square foot from Redfin sold listings, making this a pure price-appreciation comparison, never a call on the better investment, and both exclude rent, leverage, property taxes and maintenance. The pattern is that both are deep, supply-constrained markets that move in slow local cycles tied to rates and migration, with LA somewhat more sensitive to coastal-California demand and New York to finance and global money. Their relative lead shifts with each cycle. This is not investment advice.
Returns by window
| Window | New York home prices (US$/m²) | Los Angeles home prices (US$/m²) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | -2% | -4% |
| 5 years | 1% | 8% |
| 10 years | 23% | 60% |
| since 2016 | 39% | 71% |
The price of return: risk
| Asset | Annual volatility | Worst drop |
|---|---|---|
| New York real estate | 28% | -46% |
| Los Angeles real estate | 8% | -14% |
$10,000 in each, since 2016
| Asset | Value today |
|---|---|
| New York real estate | $13,914 |
| Los Angeles real estate | $17,096 |
Frequently asked questions
New York real estate or Los Angeles real estate: which returned more?
Since 2016, Los Angeles real estate returned more in U.S. dollars. Over shorter windows the lead can change — see the per-window table on the page.
Does a higher return mean a better investment?
Not on its own — risk matters. The page shows the volatility and the largest drop of each; similar returns can hide very different rides.
Are these figures in real terms?
No — these are nominal returns in U.S. dollars. To see real (inflation-adjusted) gains, compare each one against U.S. inflation (CPI).
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Descriptive, educational content computed from official public data. Not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.