The S&P Cotality Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index rose 2.7% year-on-year in August 2026, marking its strongest annual increase since May 2025 and exceeding market expectations of 2.5%. Chicago led all metropolitan areas for the sixth consecutive month, with prices rising 6.7%, followed by New York (6.2%) and Cleveland (4.3%). On the West Coast, Seattle recorded the steepest annual decline for the third consecutive month at 2.0%, followed by Las Vegas (-1.3%) and Denver (-0.8%). On a monthly basis, home prices fell 0.4% in August after remaining unchanged in July. However, inflation-adjusted prices rose 0.3%, suggesting underlying strength despite the typical post-summer slowdown. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ Rebecca Kaufman noted that affordability remains challenging, as elevated living costs, oil prices near $100 per barrel and mortgage rates in the mid-to-high 6% range continue to weigh on households.