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Home Sellers in These 5 Metros Are Seeing Profits as High as 60%


After a slower summer market, sellers across certain U.S. metros are now reaping impressive gains. According to ATTOM’s latest home sales report, five cities in particular saw the largest annual increases in home sale profit margins — a signal that local affordability and buyer demand are fueling strong returns in select areas.

💰U.S. Sellers Saw an Average Profit of $123k in Q3


In the third quarter of 2025, the average home seller earned a raw profit of $123,100 — a 1.9% increase from the previous quarter. That translates to a national average profit margin of 49.9%, up slightly from Q2’s 49.3%. Though it’s still below the 55.4% peak we saw this time last year, profit margins remain historically high.


“Profit margins remained steady and high throughout the traditionally busier summer selling season,” said Rob Barber, CEO of real estate data firm ATTOM. He also noted that while rising prices might normally cool buyer demand, recent dips in mortgage rates are likely helping to keep the market active.

Map of the United States showing state-by-state home price appreciation from Q1 2020 to Q1 2021, with most states showing significant year-over-year growth.

📍The 5 Metro Areas With the Biggest Profit

Margin Gains:


If you sold a home in one of these five metro areas during Q3, you likely walked away with significantly more than you would’ve a year ago. Each of these markets posted double-digit gains in profit margins, thanks to strong buyer interest and continued affordability relative to larger markets.


To qualify for ATTOM’s analysis, each area had to have at least 1,000 home sales in Q3 2025 and enough data for accurate comparison.

1. St George, Utah:


  • Profit margin gain: 10.9% (from 26.3% to 37.2%)
  • Median list price: $621,189
  • Average seller profit: $143,632
Aerial view of downtown St George, Utah

2. Gulfport, Mississippi:


  • Profit margin gain: 9.4% (from 26.2% to 35.7%)
  • Median list price: $306,235
  • Average seller profit: $62,530
Downtown Gulfport, Mississippi

3. Augusta, South Carolina:


  • Profit margin gain: 5.9% (from 37.8% to 43.7%)
  • Median list price: $325,900
  • Average seller profit: $74,250
Skyline view of Augusta, South Carolina

4. Lexington, Kentucky:


  • Profit margin gain: 5.8% (from 42.9% to 48.6%)
  • Median list price: $398,610
  • Average seller profit: $106,000
Downtown Lexington, Kentucky

5. Dayton, Ohio:


  • Profit margin gain: 5.6% (from 55.1% to 60.7%)
  • Median list price: $250,000
  • Average seller profit: $88,048
Downtown area of Dayton, Ohio

🏘️Why These Metros Are Winning Big


What’s driving such strong profit growth in these specific cities?


According to Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com®, many of these metros still offer affordable housing compared to national averages. As larger cities become less affordable, more buyers are turning to places like Dayton, Lexington, and Gulfport — boosting competition and driving up prices.


In Dayton’s case, local agent Jeff House explains the appeal:


“Dayton gives buyers a solid lifestyle without the cost of living in a big city. There’s a strong sense of community, job opportunities, and plenty of recreation — but without steep prices.”



💡How Do These Gains Compare to Larger Metros?


While these five metros saw the largest year-over-year increases, they don’t necessarily have the highest overall profit margins.


Among metros with populations over 1 million, the top five for average home sale profits in Q3 2025 were:


  • San Jose, CA: 94.3%
  • Seattle, WA: 80.2%
  • Buffalo, NY: 80%
  • Rochester, NY: 77.3%
  • Hartford, CT: 75%


If you’re based in Silicon Valley, it’s encouraging to see San Jose leading the nation with the highest profit margin overall.



⚠️ Areas Seeing the Biggest Drops


Not all markets performed equally. The metros with the sharpest declines in profit margins include:


  • Ocala, FL: Down from 103.9% to 55.1%
  • Punta Gorda, FL: Down from 88.3% to 58%
  • Vallejo, CA: Down from 66.4% to 43%
  • North Port-Sarasota, FL: Down from 61.1% to 38.8%
  • Port St. Lucie, FL: Down from 77.8% to 56.1%


Florida metros dominated the drop list, largely due to rising home insurance and HOA costs in hurricane-prone areas.



📌 Bottom Line for Sellers


Seller profits are still strong in much of the U.S., especially in markets with growing demand and relative affordability. Whether you’re in Silicon Valley or considering a move to a more budget-friendly metro, understanding where value is rising — and why — can help you make more informed real estate decisions.


Curious about your own home’s value?

Let’s talk. We’ll help you understand your local market and guide you through a successful sale.