Lincoln Square median home prices just took a big jump (34%)

A beautiful stretch of West Giddings Street in Lincoln Square early May (all photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Having lived in and near Chicago's Lincoln Square for more than three decades, I’ve witnessed its evolution firsthand. While the neighborhood's retail and demographic history is a story in itself, what stands out most is the dramatic surge in single-family home prices. It’s a trend I experience yearly, yet the sheer scale of the increase continues to astonish both me and my longtime neighbors.

All charts generated with Google Gemini by Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty. Sales data  MREDLLC.com

Over same period of January 1s to May 1st, Lincoln Square single family home median price has increased $950,000 to about $1.3M (almost a 34% increase year over year!). This is the biggest jump we've seen over the past seven years by far. My guess is it will hold up by year's end.

Lincoln Square single family home sales January 1st to May 1st

As mentioned above year over year median price has jumped 34%.

Back in 2019, 36 single family homes closed on the MLS from January 1st to May 1st.  The median price of a sold home was about $685,000. The highest priced closed home was 2156 W Windsor Avenue for $2,529,900 (37' x 124' lot size).

In 2026, 19 single family homes closed over the same period with a median sold price of about $1,280,000.  The highest priced sold home so far this year is 2034 W Sunnyside Avenue at $3,375,000 (34' x 133' lot size). 

The median price of a Lincoln Square single family home has risen 86% same period year over year from 2019 to 2026.

Total homes sold and approximate median price in Lincoln Square year over year 

• 2019: 109 homes sold with a median price of $725,000
• 2020: 117 homes sold with a median price of $775,000
• 2021:  43 homes sold with a median price of $820,000
• 2022: 139 homes sold with a median price of $837,000
• 2023: 85 homes sold with a median price of $985,000
• 2024: 107 homes sold with a median price of $1,020,000
• 2025: 80 homes sold with a median price of $1,056,000
• 2026: 36 homes sold with a median price of $1,280,000 (through May 1st)

New construction speculation homes in Lincoln Square continue to push price records. In 2026 so far one home has closed over $3M with three more under contract. This will make it a record year with seven months to go. 

Out of 80 homes sold over 2025, eight homes were sold over $2 million and two homes were sold over $3 million.  In 2024, eight homes sold for over $2 million with one over $3 million. In 2023 only four homes sold for over $2 million and none over 3 million. We also see smaller lot homes (37'x123) achieve over $3M in 2026. In the past the homes selling over $2M and $3M were on larger double lots (50' wide)  or wide and longer (175' long as opposed to standard 125' long). This year we already have a $3M sale on a 37'x123' lot.