The 10 priciest college towns in the U.S.—with the top spot featuring a median home price of $1.96 million.
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Sep 24 2025
0mins
Source: CNBC
Rising Home Prices in College Towns: The cost of homes in U.S. college towns is increasing, with Santa Barbara, California, being the most expensive at a median price of $1,964,170, according to a Redfin analysis.
Impact on Students and Faculty: High housing costs can lead to increased debt for students and may force faculty and staff to live farther from campus, potentially discouraging professors from accepting jobs in these areas.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.





