Table of Contents
- Which Home Features Are Americans Paying the Most For?
- What We Found Across All 50 Cities
- Closing Thoughts
Some home features just hit different in the summer. A pool turns your backyard into a weekend destination and a porch becomes the best seat in the house. But depending on where you live, those warm-weather upgrades will cost you. And in some places, they’ll cost you a lot.
We analyzed home listings from Redfin in 50 of the largest U.S. cities to see how much more buyers are paying for popular summertime features like private pools, porches, garages, fenced backyards, and home offices. The results show where each upgrade adds the most value and where you might be better off investing in improvements rather than a new home.
Which Home Features Are Americans Paying the Most For?
To get a better sense of how popular home features impact price, we looked at active listings in 50 major U.S. cities and compared the average list price for homes with and without each amenity. The results show that summertime favorites can carry a wide range of price differences. Some steep, others surprisingly modest.
Here’s how the national averages shake out:
- Pool – 103.2% increase | +$674,343
- Office – 32.0% increase | +$208,894
- Garage – 17.3% increase | +$113,363
- Porch – 2.2% increase | +$14,060
- Fenced Backyard – 22.5% decrease | –$146,769
Whether it’s about comfort, functionality, or outdoor living, each feature comes with a different price point. And in some cities, the premium is even higher.
Let’s start with one of the biggest summertime splurges of all: the backyard pool.
Cities Where a Home With a Pool Costs the Most
There’s nothing better than having your own pool when temperatures start to climb but that splash of summer luxury doesn’t come cheap. In cities across the U.S., homes with pools cost an average of $674,343 more than homes without one. A 103% increase.
From weekend cannonballs to poolside barbecues that will be the envy of the neighborhood, the price of backyard paradise adds up fast and in some areas the cost increase is especially steep:
- Washington, DC
- Home with a pool: $4,575,497
- Average home: $915,319
- Cost difference: $3,660,178
- Price increase: 399.9%
- Seattle, WA
- Home with a pool: $4,346,993
- Average home: $958,880
- Cost difference: $3,388,113
- Price increase: 353.3%
- Portland, OR
- Home with a pool: $2,521,262
- Average home: $650,707
- Cost difference: $1,870,555
- Price increase: 287.5%
- Los Angeles, CA
- Home with a pool: $3,013,330
- Average home: $1,470,170
- Cost difference: $1,543,160
- Price increase: 105.0%
- Raleigh, NC
- Home with a pool: $2,132,346
- Average home: $650,528
- Cost difference: $1,481,818
- Price increase: 227.8%
Coastal and Pacific Northwest cities dominate the top of the list, where pool-equipped homes often signal luxury estates rather than standard backyard amenities. In places like Washington, DC and Seattle, the higher price tags may reflect limited land and hotter markets. Not to mention the added cost of installing and maintaining a pool in a four-season climate.
Even in warmer areas like Los Angeles and Raleigh, where pools are more common, the data shows buyers will have to pay a steep premium for a home with a private pool which could be worth it for some during peak summer months when outdoor living becomes part of daily life.
With figures like these, pools are clearly both a lifestyle upgrade and a long-term investment in your property but there are other, more affordable, upgrades available that can boost your home’s summer appeal. Adding energy-efficient windows can help maintain a cooler indoor temperature, lower utility bills, and improve comfort all season long.
Next, we’ll look at another summertime favorite, homes with porches, and the surprising cities where this classic feature comes at a premium.
Cities Where a Home With a Porch Costs the Most
There’s nothing like summer evenings on the porch: rocking chairs, a cold drink, and just enough breeze to sound with wind chimes without making you too cold. It’s a quaint daydream but depending on where you live, that kind of comfort may be more of a nightmare.
On average, homes with porches were priced $14,060 higher than those without them. A modest 2.2% increase, but one that climbs much higher in certain markets. These are the cities where a porch adds the most value:
- Nashville, TN
- Home with a porch: $1,177,413
- Average home: $794,893
- Cost difference: $382,520
- Price increase: 48.1%
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Home with a porch: $974,809
- Average home: $629,163
- Cost difference: $345,646
- Price increase: 54.9%
- Atlanta, GA
- Home with a porch: $998,399
- Average home: $701,815
- Cost difference: $296,585
- Price increase: 42.3%
- Washington, DC
- Home with a porch: $1,208,397
- Average home: $915,319
- Cost difference: $293,078
- Price increase: 32.0%
- Charlotte, NC
- Home with a porch: $862,458
- Average home: $597,790
- Cost difference: $264,668
- Price increase: 44.3%
That serene scene we described earlier makes the most sense with a warm, quiet U.S. backdrop behind it so it’s no surprise that homes in the Southeast have a strong showing here. Their warm weather and strong traditions of outdoor living make porches especially desirable.
Ideal for hosting, relaxing, or catching a summer sunset, cities like Nashville, Atlanta, and Charlotte have long embraced the porch as an extension of the living space. Just be prepared to pay an excess of $200,000 more than other homes in the area if a big porch is part of your must-have list when house hunting.
Next, we’ll explore another popular summertime feature, fenced backyards, and the cities where outdoor space and privacy will cost you the most.
Cities Where a Home With a Fenced Yard Costs the Most
Whether it’s to keep the kids safe, give pets room to roam, or enjoy a little more privacy outdoors, a fenced yard is a go-to summer feature for many homeowners. But surprisingly, having one doesn’t usually come with a higher price tag.
In fact, across the cities we analyzed, homes with fenced yards were actually $146,769 cheaper than the average. That’s about 22.5% less than the average home. Still, there are a few cities where fenced yards do command a higher price:
- Boston, MA
- Home with a fenced yard: $1,462,145
- Average home: $1,239,219
- Cost difference: $222,926
- Price increase: 18%
- Cleveland, OH
- Home with a fenced yard: $309,850
- Average home: $179,626
- Cost difference: $130,224
- Price increase: 72.5%
- Denver, CO
- Home with a fenced yard: $832,590
- Average home: $735,736
- Cost difference: $96,854
- Price increase: 13.2%
- Raleigh, NC
- Home with a fenced yard: $688,390
- Average home: $650,528
- Cost difference: $37,862
- Price increase: 5.8%
- Milwaukee, WI
- Home with a fenced yard: $320,665
- Average home: $283,117
- Cost difference: $37,547
- Price increase: 13.3%
In most cities, a fenced yard doesn’t seem to drive up list prices, which could make it one of the more accessible summertime upgrades for homeowners. But in denser cities like Boston or Cleveland, where private outdoor space may be harder to come by, a fenced yard can still set a property apart.
While it may not always bring the highest return in market value, the protection and privacy a fenced yard provides can add a lot of day-to-day value. Especially in the summer months when outdoor time is what we want the most!
For homeowners in storm-prone regions, a fenced yard is only one piece of the protection puzzle. Durable upgrades like impact windows can help protect your home from wind and debris during storms, while still letting in plenty of light year-round.
Next, we’ll take a look at the cost of one of the most practical, versatile home features of all: the garage.
Cities Where a Home With a Garage Costs the Most
From storing beach gear and bikes to keeping your car cool in the summer heat, a garage is one of the most sought-after home features around. But in many cities, it doesn’t come cheap.
On average, homes with garages were listed for $113,363 more than those without, an increase of 17.3%. These cities saw the biggest price jumps for homes with garages:
- Boston, MA
- Home with a garage: $1,783,622
- Average home: $1,239,219
- Cost difference: $544,403
- Price increase: 43.9%
- Washington, DC
- Home with a garage: $1,367,481
- Average home: $915,319
- Cost difference: $452,162
- Price increase: 49.4%
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Home with a garage: $909,043
- Average home: $629,163
- Cost difference: $279,881
- Price increase: 44.5%
- Philadelphia, PA
- Home with a garage: $672,385
- Average home: $407,222
- Cost difference: $265,163
- Price increase: 65.1%
- Baltimore, MD
- Home with a garage: $534,523
- Average home: $315,825
- Cost difference: $218,698
- Price increase: 69.2%
In many of these East Coast cities, garages are in shorter supply, especially in older neighborhoods where street parking is the norm. That scarcity helps explain why buyers in places like Baltimore and Philadelphia are paying steep premiums for homes that include one.
Whether you use it for parking, storage, or a workshop space, a garage adds year-round functionality. In the summer, it can help reduce indoor temps by keeping clutter and heat-producing equipment outside while also protecting your home’s exterior. Pairing that with strong, weather-resistant impact doors adds another layer of protection, which is especially important as hurricane season approaches.
The last home feature we’ll be looking at blends lifestyle and productivity in an increasingly online world: the home office.
Cities Where a Home With an Office Costs the Most
Working from home might be more common than ever, but in many cities, that added square footage comes at a premium. Across the 50 cities we analyzed, homes with a designated office space were priced $208,894 (32%) higher than those without.
These cities had the highest price bumps for homes with an office:
- Boston, MA
- Home with an office: $1,970,890
- Average home: $1,239,219
- Cost difference: $731,671
- Price increase: 59%
- Los Angeles, CA
- Home with an office: $1,977,762
- Average home: $1,470,170
- Cost difference: $507,592
- Price increase: 34.5%
- San Diego, CA
- Home with an office: $1,748,339
- Average home: $1,310,639
- Cost difference: $437,700
- Price increase: 33.4%
- Miami, FL
- Home with an office: $1,371,395
- Average home: $978,119
- Cost difference: $393,276
- Price increase: 40.2%
- Providence, RI
- Home with an office: $1,077,786
- Average home: $747,147
- Cost difference: $330,639
- Price increase: 44.3%
In markets like Boston, Los Angeles, and Miami, where space is already tight, an extra room, especially one that can double as a workspace, can significantly raise a home’s value. And during the summer, a quiet, air-conditioned office offers a welcome break from the heat and household activity.
It makes sense: in many cases, you’re paying for what amounts to an extra bedroom. Whether it’s used for work, school, or a creative outlet, a home office adds flexibility and homebuyers better be willing to pay for it.
What We Found Across All 50 Cities
Curious how much a pool, porch, or fenced yard adds to the cost of a home near you?
We’ve broken down the full results of our analysis for all 50 cities in our study. You can search for your state directly to find nearby cities, sort by each home feature, or explore the full data table below to see how the numbers compare across the U.S.
What Stands Out in Florida Cities?
It’s clear that some features add more value than others depending on where you’re buying. With FHIA Remodeling serving homeowners across the state, we wanted to take a closer look at how popular home features impact prices in four major Florida markets.
Here’s what we found:
Pools: While still a major driver of home value, pools in Florida cities come with smaller premiums than in many other parts of the country. The average increase ranged from 80% in Orlando to 132% in Jacksonville, compared to the national average of 103%. That suggests buyers may expect pools in these markets, keeping the price impact relatively contained.
Home offices: All four cities showed strong price increases for homes with office space. The highest jumps were seen in Orlando (50.4%) and Miami (40.2%), likely reflecting ongoing demand from remote workers and out-of-state buyers relocating to Florida.
Fenced backyards: These didn’t add much to overall home value in Florida. Tampa and Miami even saw price decreases. Fenced yards may be common enough in these areas that they don’t stand out as premium features.
Garages and porches: Both features added value in all four cities, but the increases were more moderate. Still, they reflect Florida homeowners’ desire for functional, flexible spaces that support outdoor living and storage.
Whether you’re upgrading your Miami home with a new porch or adding a pool to your Orlando space, these trends show that thoughtful improvements can make a big difference. For all Florida homeowners, one smart upgrade that both provides peace of mind and adds property value is installing hurricane windows to offer added protection when the storms start rolling in.
Closing Thoughts
From pools and porches to home offices and garages, our analysis shows just how much value buyers place on features that make summer living more enjoyable. In many cities, these upgrades can raise a home’s price by tens—or even hundreds—of thousands of dollars.
But you don’t have to move to enjoy these benefits. Whether you’re looking to boost curb appeal, add usable space, or make your home more comfortable in the heat, smart upgrades can go a long way. From roof work to replacement impact windows and doors, you can help keep your home cooler, cut costs, and improve comfort during the hottest times of the year.
FHIA Remodeling helps Florida homeowners make updates that matter, so your home works better for you year-round.
Methodology
To identify the most expensive home features, we analyzed the average price of all active home listings in America’s 50 largest cities and compared them to the average price of listings that included the following features:
- Private pool
- Porch
- Fenced Backyard
- Garage
- Office
We focused on features that tend to get the most use during the summer months.
Our analysis focused on finding the cities with the largest percent changes in average home list prices to homes that had the features we considered. The tables listed throughout this article break down the five features to show the cities where they cost the most and least compared to the average.
Our goal was to highlight the cities with the largest differences in average home prices based on the presence of each feature. All observed home price data comes from Redfin.
