Data Centers Split U.S. Housing Effects | Embracing Performance Over Perception

Interesting findings from a recent study on the relationship between data centers and U.S. housing markets. The research shows there’s no one-size-fits-all impact—local economies, infrastructure, and underlying demand are the real drivers when it comes to how data centers affect residential values. Counties with 10 or more data centers did see stronger home value growth and higher median prices than those without, but it's important to note that many of these areas were already established tech hubs with robust job markets and higher incomes before the data center boom. Over 90% of U.S. counties didn’t have any mapped data centers, and experiences from REALTORS® were mixed—clients voiced concerns about electricity costs, water use, and infrastructure strain. What stands out most for me, as someone who specializes in commercial real estate and investment property performance, is that the most pronounced upside was found in commercial real estate and local economic activity—not necessarily in residential housing. This underscores the importance of looking at the broader economic landscape and property type dynamics when evaluating investment opportunities.