A new study has identified the US cities with the highest concentration of century-old homes currently on the market, with Baltimore, Maryland, topping the list. More than 6 in 10 of its listed properties were built before 1925.
The research, conducted by residential protection plan experts at ProGuard, analysed Zillow listings across the 100 most populated US cities. It focused exclusively on properties constructed over 100 years ago to determine where historic homes make up the largest share of active listings.
Across the top 10 cities, half of all homes for sale are over a century old, highlighting strong regional differences in housing stock.
Cities with the most historic homes
- Baltimore, Maryland – 61.4%
- St. Louis, Missouri – 60.2%
- Cleveland, Ohio – 56.1%
- St. Paul, Minnesota – 55.2%
- Toledo, Ohio – 54.7%
- Buffalo, New York – 46.1%
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin – 43.7%
- San Francisco, California – 42.5%
- Fort Wayne, Indiana – 39.3%
- Minneapolis, Minnesota – 38.8%
Baltimore leads with 61.4% of its listings dating back to before 1925, representing 1,035 homes out of 1,685 properties.
St. Louis follows at 60.2%, with 459 historic homes among 762 listings.
Cleveland ranks third, where 56.1% of properties, or about 453 out of 808, were built before 1925.
St. Paul takes fourth place, with 234 of its 424 listings, or 55.2%, exceeding 100 years in age.
Toledo rounds out the top 5 with 54.7%, equivalent to 175 of 320 homes.
Buffalo, Milwaukee, San Francisco, Fort Wayne and Minneapolis complete the top ten, each with at least 38.8% of listings over a century old.
The findings point to a strong concentration of older homes in the Midwest and Northeast, particularly in cities shaped by industrial-era growth. These areas tend to have more established neighbourhoods and less recent development compared with faster-growing regions.
A spokesperson for ProGuard said: “This research shows just how much historic character is still present in cities across America. Older homes tend to have more of a unique charm, making them popular among a lot of homebuyers. If you are interested in purchasing an older home, perhaps consider looking in one of these top ten cities.”
“What stood out to us was how dominant the Midwest and Northeast are in this data. Cities like Toledo and Fort Wayne might not be the first places people think of when they picture historic homes, but they have a higher concentration than places like New York City or Washington, DC. That’s a real eye-opener for buyers who want century-old character without the price tag of a coastal market.”
“That said, it is always important to remember that older homes can come with some issues. Homes that have stood for over 100 years may need maintenance and repair work, as well as structural updates in some cases, to ensure that they remain safe and livable. The best way to avoid any surprises when looking at buying an older home is to have a property survey done before purchasing, so you are aware of any work that may need doing, and that way, you can factor it into your budget.”
Experts similarly advise that while historic homes offer architectural appeal, buyers should prepare for potential renovation needs. Inspections are essential to assess wiring, plumbing, foundations and energy efficiency, which can vary widely in older properties.
The ProGuard analysis is based on current Zillow listings and reflects active properties rather than the overall housing stock, offering a snapshot of where century-old homes are most available today.