The Cost of a Home With a View

When it comes to real estate, few things shape price like location. The right setting can turn an average home into a dream property — especially if it comes with a view. But while scenic homes are in high demand, what buyers actually pay for those views varies widely across the country.

To find out where views come at the highest premium, we analyzed Redfin listings in the 100 largest U.S. cities, comparing the average price of homes with a view to the average home price in each market. We also broke down the numbers per square foot to give a complete picture of how much buyers pay for scenery.

Some cities charge a steep price for that perfect vantage point. Others offer it at a discount. Keep reading to find out where a view will cost you, and where it might actually save you money.

How Much More Does a View Cost?

Across all qualifying cities in our analysis, the average home with a view comes at a premium.

• Average home price: $582,725
• Average price with a view: $939,026
• Price increase: $356,301 (61.1%)

On a per-square-foot basis, the trend held.

• Average price per sq. ft.: $283
• Average with a view: $391
• Difference: $108 per sq. ft. (37.9%)

With that national context in mind, here’s a closer look at the cities where views cost the most.

The Cities Where You’ll Pay the Most for a Home With a View

In many cities across the U.S., scenic views come at a steep price. Whether it’s a cityscape skyline, glistening lake, or rolling hills, buyers are paying a significant premium for homes that offer more than just four walls and a roof.

We analyzed Redfin listings in 100 major U.S. cities to compare the average price of homes with a view against the overall average home price. Here’s what we found.

Cities With the Highest Premiums on a Home With a View:

1. Columbia, SC – Premium: 280.9%
   • Price difference: $833,390
2. Minneapolis, MN – Premium: 276.4%
   • Price difference: $1,165,893
3. Oklahoma City, OK – Premium: 218.6%
   • Price difference: $878,745
4. Madison, WI – Premium: 203.1%
   • Price difference: $1,083,974
5. Toledo, OH – Premium: 195.5%
   • Price difference: $292,610

These cities show just how much value homebuyers place on a view. In Columbia, the premium is nearly triple the cost of a typical home. In cities like Madison and Minneapolis, the price difference tops $1 million, suggesting that in the Midwest, natural beauty and waterfront real estate drive demand for those who can afford it.

A Per-Square-Foot Breakdown:

We also looked at how much more buyers pay per square foot for a view to remove any home size bias.

1. Minneapolis, MN – 170.1% more per sq. ft.
   • Price difference: $391 more per sq. ft.
2. Milwaukee, WI – 168.3% more per sq. ft.
   • Price difference: $269 more per sq. ft.
3. Memphis, TN – 152.8% more per sq. ft.
   • Price difference: $164 more per sq. ft.
4. Detroit, MI – 122.6% more per sq. ft.
   • Price difference: $112 more per sq. ft.
5. Columbia, SC – 110.7% more per sq. ft.
   • Price difference: $171 more per sq. ft.

This list adds another layer to the story. Cities like Memphis and Detroit, often more affordable in general, still see sharp increases in cost per square foot when a view is added, emphasizing how location and scenery factor into home values even in markets with lower baseline prices.

A good view isn’t just a perk. It’s a major investment. And for many buyers, it’s worth the added cost. In the next section, we’ll take a look at where a home with a view can actually cost less than the city’s average home.

Cities Where a Home With a View Costs Less Than the Average Home

While views drive up prices in many cities, that’s not always the case. In several parts of the country, homes with a view actually cost less than the city’s average, offering a scenic bonus without the hefty price tag.

Cities With the Highest Discounts on a Home With a View:

1. Louisville, KY – Discount: -38.2%
   • Price difference: -$121,373
2. Charleston, SC – Discount: -27.9%
   • Price difference: -$306,495
3. Albany, NY – Discount: -24.8%
   • Price difference: -$127,898
4. Allentown, PA – Discount: -5.2%
   • Price difference: -$22,981
5. Miami, FL – Discount: -5.1%
   • Price difference: -$48,024

Some of these cities, like Charleston and Miami, are known for their natural beauty. The lower costs may reflect a wider availability of scenic homes, homes that are already priced incredibly high, or simply that the “view” designation is more common and less exclusive in those areas. In places like Louisville and Albany, it could point to less competition or demand for homes with views, despite the visual appeal.

A Per-Square-Foot Breakdown:

We also calculated price differences per square foot to understand how home size can factor into the real value of a home with a view. 

1. Palm Bay, FL – Discount per sq. ft.: -66.1%
   • Price difference: -$105 per sq. ft.
2. Charleston, SC – Discount per sq. ft.: -25.8%
   • Price difference: -$133 per sq. ft.
3. Albuquerque, NM – Discount per sq. ft.: -15.7%
   • Price difference: -$35 per sq. ft.
4. New York, NY – Discount per sq. ft.: -15.4%
   • Price difference: -$66 per sq. ft.
5. Springfield, MA – Discount per sq. ft.: -13.6%
   • Price difference: -$23 per sq. ft.

While homebuyers in some cities, like Charleston, can score a home with a view that’s discounted both overall and per square foot, that’s not typically the case.

In places like Palm Bay, Albuquerque, New York City, and Springfield, homes with views also come with a higher total price despite a lower cost per square foot. That’s because these homes tend to be significantly larger than average, which drives down the price per square foot even as the total cost rises. Essentially, homebuyers in these markets are paying for both more space and a view, spreading the premium across more square footage.

The takeaway? If you can afford the higher upfront cost, homes with views may offer better value per square foot—but it’s important to weigh both the total price and square footage when evaluating what you’re really paying for. Next, we’ll shift focus to the cities where homes with a view are the most expensive overall, regardless of how they compare to the city average.

Cities Where a Home With a View Costs the Most

In some of the nation’s biggest cities, a view can really push your budget to the limit. These markets already sit at the high end of the pricing spectrum, and scenic properties often sit even higher.

Cities With the Highest Average Price for a Home With a View:

• New York, NY – $3,034,667
  • Average home price: $1,926,889
  • Price difference: $1,107,778

• Boston, MA – $2,770,719
  • Average home price: $1,586,428
  • Price difference: $1,184,291

• San Francisco, CA – $2,171,484
  • Average home price: $1,909,543
  • Price difference: $261,941

• Dallas, TX – $2,033,577
  • Average home price: $699,889
  • Price difference: $1,333,688

• Los Angeles, CA – $1,925,430
  • Average home price: $1,825,520
  • Price difference: $99,910

It’s no surprise to see cities like New York City and San Francisco on this list. Both are densely built, with limited inventory and strong demand for any kind of view—whether it’s waterfront, skyline, or hillside. Dallas, on the other hand, stands out with a sharp jump in price for view properties, signaling that premium homes in the city often come with extra square footage and luxury amenities beyond just the view.

A Per-Square-Foot Breakdown:

We also compared the average cost per square foot of homes with and without a view in top-tier markets.

• Boston, MA – $1,213 per sq. ft.
  • Average price per sq. ft.: $960
  • Price difference per sq. ft.: $253

• San Francisco, CA – $1,041 per sq. ft.
  • Average price per sq. ft.: $840
  • Price difference per sq. ft.: $201

• Honolulu, HI – $1,016 per sq. ft.
  • Average price per sq. ft.: $844
  • Price difference per sq. ft.: $172

• Los Angeles, CA – $844 per sq. ft.
  • Average price per sq. ft.: $780
  • Price difference per sq. ft.: $64

• San Diego, CA – $825 per sq. ft.
  • Average price per sq. ft.: $754
  • Price difference per sq. ft.: $71

The per-square-foot data highlights how much buyers are willing to pay for location and outlook in coastal markets. In cities like Honolulu and San Diego, where ocean views are a major selling point, even modest homes command higher prices when they offer a glimpse of the water.

These figures make it clear. Whether you’re in the Northeast, on the West Coast, or out in Texas, a home with a view often sits in the luxury tier.

Closing Thoughts

No matter where you live, a great view comes at a price. But as the data shows, just how much more you’ll pay depends heavily on where you are. In some places, you’ll pay double—or more—for a home with a view. In others, you might actually save money for the added scenery.

Once you’ve found the perfect property, the next step is making the most of it. Whether you’re adding a porch, deck, or custom feature to take full advantage of the view, Surety First helps ensure the contractors you hire are properly bonded and held to the highest standards. It’s your home, so protect it with professionals you can trust.

Methodology

To determine the cities where a home with a view costs the most, we analyzed the average home price in America’s 100 largest cities and compared them to the average price of homes with a view in those cities.

We also pulled the average square footage of all houses and those with a view to take the analysis a step further and see how the cost differs for a view per square foot across the country.

All home price data was collected from Redfin in April 2025.