While housing markets in Opportunity Zones typically track with national trends, the latest data highlights a widening gap. In the second quarter of 2026, median home prices increased year-over-year in 46.3 percent of the analyzed Opportunity Zone tracts. In contrast, areas outside these designated zones saw growth in 49.8 percent of tracts. Beyond the slower appreciation rates, homes within these zones remain significantly more affordable, with only 21.8 percent of tracts reporting median values above the national benchmark of $360,000, compared to nearly half of all tracts nationwide.

Despite the overall cooling, specific pockets of potential remain. ATTOM’s new AI-driven ResiScore rankings identified several high-performing zones in major metros like Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York, where projected appreciation remains robust. However, Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM, noted that the general lag in price growth warrants caution. Because sales volume in many of these zones is limited, price measurements can be volatile, with 81 percent of analyzed tracts experiencing quarter-over-quarter price shifts of more than 5 percent.