Historic Charm, Hidden Costs: Where America’s Oldest Homes Still Stand

As cities grow older, so do the homes that line their streets. While some communities invest in preserving or modernizing their aging housing stock, others let time take its toll. We analyzed real estate and housing data across the 100 most populous U.S. cities to uncover where America’s oldest homes are located.

Understanding where older homes dominate isn’t just about charm or renovation potential. Many homes built before the 1980s may also contain hazardous materials like asbestos, which is a carcinogen linked to mesothelioma, an incurable cancer that primarily affects the linings of the lungs and abdominal cavity. These findings highlight the intersection of history, housing, and health.

Key Takeaways

• Detroit, MI; Buffalo, NY; and Cleveland, OH, rank as America’s oldest major cities, based on the prevalence of homes built before 1979.
• Enterprise, NV; Frisco, TX; and Gilbert, AZ, have the fewest old homes.
• Buffalo has the largest share of pre-1939 homes (60.7%), followed by St. Louis, MO (56.1%).
• Detroit has the highest percentage of homes built in the 1940s (21.4%).
• San Antonio, TX, has the most “fixer-uppers” listed for sale (582).

Where Historic Homes Dominate

Some U.S. cities are rich in history, and their homes tell the story. Older neighborhoods built before modern safety standards present unique risks, especially related to asbestos exposure. 

Asbestos was a common building product used as insulation or mixed with cement as a stregthener for walls, tiles and other building products. Knowing where these historic homes are most concentrated can help families, homebuyers and renovators make informed decisions to protect their health and safety of others.

Detroit, Michigan; Buffalo, New York; and Cleveland, Ohio, top the list of America’s oldest cities, where aging homes make up the majority of the housing stock. These legacy-rich cities feature high concentrations of pre-1979 residences, many of which were built before modern building codes and materials were in place. Most builders stopped using asbestos in the early 1980s.

On the other end of our rankings, Enterprise, Nevada; Frisco, Texas; and Gilbert, Arizona, stand out as the “newest” major urban areas. Their housing stock reflects recent expansion, with fewer older homes to maintain or restore.

A Closer Look at the Oldest Building Eras

From pre-1939 relics to mid-century builds, this section explores how different decades shaped U.S. cities and where those homes still stand strong today.

Buffalo, New York, leads the nation in pre-1939 homes, with more than 60% of its housing stock dating back to this early era. St. Louis, Missouri, follows closely, with over half its homes (56%) built before World War II. These older structures often come with architectural charm and historical significance, but they may also require costly upgrades to meet today’s safety standards. Scottsdale, Arizona, had the smallest share of pre-1939 homes, at just 0.065%, highlighting its modern suburban sprawl.

In the 1940s, Detroit experienced a construction boom, resulting in 21.4% of its homes being built during that decade—the highest rate in the country. St. Petersburg, Florida; Anaheim, California; and Detroit lead in 1950s-era homes, while Honolulu, Hawaii, and Anchorage, Alaska, have the highest share of homes from the 1970s. These trends reflect post-war growth and mid-century development across different parts of the country.

Where to Find (and Afford) a Fixer-Upper

If you’re looking to renovate a piece of American history, certain cities offer more opportunities than others. Here’s where you’ll find the most fixer-uppers for sale, along with their average cost.

San Antonio, Texas, has the highest number of fixer-upper listings, with 582 homes currently on the market. Los Angeles and New York City also offer a wide selection, with 360 and 349 listings, respectively.

However, price points vary dramatically. San Francisco tops the list for the most expensive fixer-uppers, averaging over $1.4 million. San Jose and Los Angeles follow, with average prices exceeding $1.2 million.

On the lower end is Toledo, Ohio, where the average fixer-upper costs just under $61,000. Detroit also offers very affordable prices, at around $83,000.

Top 5 Cities With the Most Fixer-Upper Listings

1. San Antonio, TX (582)
2. Los Angeles, CA (360)
3. New York, NY (349)
4. Atlanta, GA (246)
5. Jacksonville, FL (219)

Top 5 Cities With the Most Expensive Fixer-Uppers

1. San Francisco, CA ($1,404,511)
2. San Jose, CA ($1,349,913)
3. Los Angeles, CA ($1,269,913)
4. San Diego, CA ($1,263,892)
5. Scottsdale, AZ ($1,238,292)

Cities With the Least Expensive Fixer-Uppers

1. Toledo, OH ($60,985)
2. Detroit, MI ($83,743)
3. Cleveland, OH ($104,039)
4. Memphis, TN ($131,255)
5. St. Louis, MO ($132,150)

Aging Cities, Lasting Impact

Whether you’re a homeowner, buyer, or policymaker, understanding the age of a city’s housing stock is essential, not only for real estate planning but also for safety. Many homes built before the 1980s may contain hazardous materials such as asbestos, underscoring the need for informed renovations and proactive care in aging cities. By identifying where these homes are most concentrated, we can better prioritize health, safety, and preservation efforts in communities nationwide.

Methodology

​​We analyzed the 100 most populous cities using data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 1-Year Estimates, specifically the “Year Structure Built” variable at the city geographic level. Our goal was to identify which major U.S. cities have the oldest housing stock and how this relates to renovation readiness and fixer-upper availability. The follow metrics were used and weighted as shown:

• Overall percentage of homes built before 1979 (40%)
• Percentage of homes built before 1939 (20%):
• Percentage of homes built between 1940-1949 (15%)
• Percentage of homes built in 1950-1959 (10%)
• Percentage of homes built in 1960-1969 (10%)
• Percentage of homes built in 1970-1979 (5%)

To complement the age-based ranking, we analyzed real estate data from Redfin to understand the availability and cost of fixer-upper homes in each city. These homes were listed on Redfin as “fixer-uppers.” Please note that this real estate data changes daily.

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