Bristol County Is Busier Than Ever. So Why Aren't Prices Soaring?
Over the last few weeks, we've looked at Plymouth County, where prices climbed 6.5%, and Norfolk County, where the county median rose while commuter towns like Stoughton and Canton cooled off. Today we head south to Bristol County, the most affordable of the three and, in some ways, the most interesting.
Here's the short version: more homes sold in Bristol County this summer than last, and prices barely moved. That combination tells us a lot about where this market is headed.
The County Picture
Bristol County's median sale price over the three months ending in August was about $558,000, up 1.5% from the same period last year. That's modest growth, but look at the price tag next to its neighbors:
County | Median Sale Price | Change From Last Year |
Norfolk | $787,000 | +4.6% |
Plymouth | $703,000 | +6.5% |
Bristol | $558,000 | +1.5% |
A buyer can save well over $150,000 by crossing a county line, often without adding much to the commute. And buyers have noticed. In August, 463 homes sold across Bristol County, up from 405 a year earlier, and the typical home sold in 26 days, the same pace as last year.
About half of homes sold above list price, up a few points from last year, while roughly 1 in 5 listings had a price reduction. Buyers are active, but they're doing their homework. A well-priced home draws a crowd. An overpriced one sits.
Inside the Numbers: More Sales, Steady Prices
Redfin gives us the big picture, but I wanted to see what's happening town by town. So I pulled every home sale from MLS across 10 Bristol County towns from June through August and compared it to the same months last year.
The headline: 971 homes sold this summer, up 21% from 804 last year, while the median price stayed essentially flat at about $565,000. Price per square foot rose less than 1%.
More people are buying, and prices are holding steady. That's what a healthy market looks like.
Town | Sales (vs. 2025) | Median Price | Change | Price/Sq Ft Change | Sold Over Asking | Days to Offer |
Easton | 89 (+20%) | $715,000 | -3% | +3% | 48% | 8 |
Mansfield | 64 (+10%) | $702,500 | +1% | +1% | 69% | 7 |
Westport | 51 (+34%) | $699,000 | -13% | -9% | 29% | 16 |
Norton | 58 (-17%) | $672,500 | +15% | +1% | 57% | 10 |
Raynham | 54 (+86%) | $647,500 | +7% | +6% | 67% | 8 |
North Attleboro | 96 (+32%) | $625,500 | -7% | -2% | 65% | 8 |
Attleboro | 144 (+18%) | $560,000 | +6% | 0% | 65% | 8 |
Seekonk | 48 (+17%) | $551,250 | -15% | +1% | 50% | 14 |
Taunton | 176 (+31%) | $520,000 | 0% | -1% | 57% | 10 |
New Bedford | 191 (+16%) | $478,000 | -1% | +6% | 49% | 17 |
Source: MLS PIN, all residential sales (single-family, condo, multi-family), June 1 to August 31, 2026 vs. the same period in 2025. "Days to Offer" is the median number of days from listing to accepted offer.
What Stands Out
Raynham is the town to watch. Sales nearly doubled, from 29 to 54, and prices rose 7%. Buyers have discovered it.
Mansfield is still the most competitive town in the county. Nearly 7 in 10 homes sold over asking, and the typical home had an accepted offer in just a week.
North Attleboro's headline is misleading. The median price fell about 7%, which sounds like bad news. But sales jumped 32%, 65% of homes still sold over asking, and the typical home had an offer in 8 days. The median dipped because more smaller, more affordable homes sold this year. Nearly half of this summer's sales were under $600,000, up from about a third last year. If you own a home in North Attleboro, it has most likely held its value.
Norton's price jump has a story behind it. The median rose 15%, but fewer homes sold, and price per square foot barely moved. Bigger homes made up more of what sold, which pushed the median up.
Sellers are pricing smarter. Price cuts dropped from 23% of listings to 20% overall. In Easton, they fell from 28% to 20%. In Seekonk, from 46% to 27%. Sellers who price right from the start are seeing it pay off.
Westport is the exception. Prices along the coast softened this year, and homes there take about two weeks to get an offer. For buyers who have been waiting for a window on the South Coast, this may be it.
Two Markets in One: Entry Level vs. Luxury
The most interesting pattern in the data isn't about any one town. It's about price point.
At the entry level, competition is fierce. The three homes with the biggest bidding wars sold for about 28% over asking, and all three were listed under $400,000, in Norton, Attleboro, and Easton. First-time buyers are competing hard for the few affordable homes available.
At the top, buyers have room to breathe. Sixty homes sold for over $1 million this summer, and only about a third of them went over asking. If you're shopping in that range, you have more room to negotiate than you might think.
Who's Moving In?
Here's a detail I didn't expect. Among out-of-state buyers searching for homes in North Attleboro, New York was the top source, followed by Washington, D.C., and Seattle.
It makes sense when you think about it. Northern Bristol County puts Boston and Providence within reach, offers commuter rail access, and has a price point that looks like a bargain to someone coming from Manhattan or D.C.
What This Means for You
Thinking about selling? Buyers are out there in bigger numbers than last year, but they're paying attention. The homes that sell quickly and over asking are the ones priced right from day one. The data shows sellers are getting that message.
Thinking about buying? Bristol County still gives you the most home for your money in the region. At the entry level, expect competition and be ready to move in about a week. Above $1 million, you have more room to negotiate.
Just curious? That's the best time to have a conversation. Whether you want to know what your home is worth or what your next move might look like, I'm happy to walk through the numbers with you, with no pressure attached.
Let's Talk
I'm curious what you're seeing. If you live in Easton, Mansfield, North Attleboro, Raynham, or anywhere in Bristol County, has your neighborhood felt busier this year? Were you surprised to see prices hold steady? Drop a comment. I read every one.
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