New home sales in the US fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 587,000 units in January 2026, the lowest level since 2022, according to Census Bureau data. The decline marked nearly a 20% drop. The median price stood at $400,500, remaining above $400,000 for a sixth straight month but at the lowest in that period.
The Census Bureau reported that new home sales reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 587,000 in January 2026, unexpectedly sinking to the lowest level since 2022. This figure represents nearly a 20% decline from the previous period, as noted in analysis by Jennifer Nash on Seeking Alpha. The drop occurred amid elevated mortgage rates, with Freddie Mac data showing the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 6.15% for the month. Despite the sales slump, the median price of new homes held above $400,000 for the sixth consecutive month, though it decreased to $400,500—the lowest in that timeframe. This data reflects ongoing challenges in the housing market, with sales data released around March 19, 2026.
