When today's buyers or sellers say "rates are too high" or "prices are crazy," they're right — but the context goes deeper. These charts show 60 years of the forces that shaped the market. Inflation, interest rates, and home values have all been here before.
How Does Your Home Compare?
Enter an estimate of your home's value to see where it falls against the 2025 Twin Cities metro median.
30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate
Annual average, 1965–2025. The 1981 peak was 16.6%. Today's rate near 7% is historically mid-range — it only feels extreme because rates were near zero for a decade.
US Inflation Rate (CPI, Year-over-Year)
Annual change, 1965–2025. The 1970s oil shocks pushed inflation above 13%. The 2021–2022 spike was the worst since then — but it's now retreating.
Median Home Price — United States
US national median, 1965–2025. A home that cost $20,000 in 1965 would cost ~$200,000 in today's dollars from inflation alone — before any real appreciation.
Sources: Federal Reserve (FRED), Bureau of Labor Statistics (CPI), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, US Census Bureau / HUD Median Sales Price. Historical figures are annual averages; 2025 values are estimates. This page is for educational and conversational purposes only — not financial or investment advice.