14 most expensive ZIP codes for home buying in 2019

Booming job markets featuring high-paying occupations and popular metro areas with endless amenities make certain housing landscapes desirable and ultimately push sales prices skyward. On an annual basis, PropertyShark pinpoints these ZIP codes where the highest-priced homes are located.

Unsurprisingly, California and New York dominated the list, accounting for just under 90% of the most expensive municipalities and the entire top five. For the average income household, it could take over 100 years to save up for a down payment in some Manhattan and Brooklyn locations, according to a separate study on New York neighborhoods from PropertyClub.

Overall home price gains trended up for most of 2019, with the latest 5.4% annual gain in October rising to a median value of $313,200, according to Redfin. This marked the largest year-over-year jump in 16 months.

That suggests an affordability concern, although it's worth keeping in mind that consumers looking to purchase at the top end of the market should have enhanced buying power.

"Low mortgage rates are propping up homebuyer demand and juicing prices," Daryl Fairweather, Redfin chief economist said in a press release. "However, home sales have been slow to grow since there are so few homes for sale and not many new listings hitting the market, especially affordable ones. The market is split: It's a seller's market for moderately priced homes, but a buyer's market for pricier homes."

From the municipalities surrounding Silicon Valley to New York's concrete jungle, here's a look at the 14 most expensive ZIP codes to buy a home in 2019, according to PropertyShark.

For the analysis, PropertyShark looked at residential sales closed between Jan. 1 and Nov. 5, 2019, inclusive of condos, co-ops, and single- and two-family homes. To make the list, ZIP codes needed to host at least three transactions in that time period.

2019 median sale price: $3,140,000
2018 rank: 12
2018 median sale price: $3,150,000