The New York house you didn’t buy in 1986
A $300,000 house at 1986’s average index level, tracked to 2026 Q2.
The metro index went from 82.3 (the 1986 average) to 454.2 in 2026 Q2, 5.5× its 1986 level. That makes a $300,000 purchase about $1.65M today.
With 20% down ($60,000) and a 30-year loan at 1986’s average rate of 10.19%, today’s equity is about $1.65M, 28× the down payment. The loan would be paid off by now, so the equity equals the house’s value.
The S&P 500 index fund this site compares against (the TSP C Fund) begins in 1988, so there is no market comparison for a purchase before then.
Run your own numbers for 1986 →
House figures are estimates for the whole metro market, from the FHFA index. Not financial advice.
FAQ
What is a 1986 New York house worth today?
About $1.65M for a $300,000 house, a 5.5× market multiple to 2026 Q2 by the FHFA all-transactions index for New York-Jersey City-White Plains, NY-NJ.
Why use an index instead of listings?
The FHFA index is built from repeat transactions on the same homes, so it controls for the mix of what happens to be for sale.
Is this investment advice?
No. This is historical arithmetic for education and entertainment.