Top 10 most expensive LGBTQ+ neighborhoods for homebuyers in 2026

Property costs are on the rise across the United States, and housing prices in many historic LGBTQ+ neighborhoods are no exception.

Related: 6 historic gayborhoods you should visit in 2026 that are still thriving

Using newly released property value data, The Advocate has compiled an unofficial list of the ten most expensive “gayborhoods” in the U.S. for aspiring homeowners. From coastal getaways to vibrant downtowns, LGBTQ+ areas rank among some of the most expensive neighborhoods in the country.

10. Hillcrest

Location: San Diego, California

Average home value: $1.09M

Hillcrest is the heart of San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community, with “the largest concentration of LGBTQ-owned businesses in the city,” according to the San Diego City Council website. The neighborhood is also home to the city’s annual Pride celebration.

The neighborhood is also home to several bars, restaurants, and boutique shops, according to local tourism organizations, making it a cultural hub for uptown San Diego, too.

9. Hell’s Kitchen

Location: Manhattan, New York

Average home value: $1.21M

Hell’s Kitchen is the heart of Manhattan’s LGBTQ+ nightlife scene and is located just a short walk away from Broadway, the epicenter of American theater. Local tourism organizations say the neighborhood’s food scene and arts events are also major draws for tourists and residents alike.

8. Williamsburg

Location: Brooklyn, New York

Average home value: $1.28M

Williamsburg is known as one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly areas of New York City, located just across from Manhattan in Brooklyn. This neighborhood is a major food and shopping destination, and its broad appeal places it at number six on our ranking of most expensive neighborhoods.

7. Silver Lake

Location: Los Angeles, California

Average home value: $1.28M

Silver Lake is a scenic and residential neighborhood in northern Los Angeles with a history of LGBTQ+ inclusion. This area is known for its beautiful homes and a number of businesses and shopping centers, and is a short distance away from Hollywood.

6. West Hollywood

Location: Los Angeles, California

Average home value: $1.39M

West Hollywood is the center of LGBTQ+ nightlife in Los Angeles and one of the most established historic LGBTQ+ communities in the country. Nicknamed “WeHo,” this area frequently hosts LGBTQ+ events and programming during both daytime and night.

5. Park Slope

Location: Brooklyn, New York

Average home value: $1.50M

Brownstone houses and eclectic shops line the streets of Park Slope, one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly areas of Brooklyn. This neighborhood is residential and charming, with several LGBTQ+ nightlife venues and community organizations as well.

4. Chelsea

Location: Manhattan, New York

Average home value: $1.66M

Chelsea has one of the most highly concentrated LGBTQ+ populations in the country, with one census tract surpassing one-fifth of couples being same-sex couples more than a decade ago.

Chelsea boasts the high-rises and tall apartment buildings that visitors might associate with New York City more broadly, but tucked within these buildings are a variety of LGBTQ+ arts venues, businesses, and community organizations.

3. Greenwich Village

Location: Manhattan, New York

Average home value: $1.88M

Greenwich Village is home to Stonewall Inn and Christopher Street, which makes it widely known as the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. The neighborhood maintains a strong LGBTQ+ presence today, with numerous LGBTQ+-owned businesses and community organizations.

2. Castro District

Location: San Francisco, California

Average home value: $1.91M

The Castro District is San Francisco's historic LGBTQ+ neighborhood. With sloping streets and a range of LGBTQ+ businesses, this long-time hotspot for the LGBTQ+ community remains popular today, ranking second in our home value list.

1. Laguna Beach

Location: Orange County, California

Average home value: $3.04M

Laguna Beach was home to beachfront gay bars in the 1960s, according to local tourism organizations, setting in motion one of California’s most historic LGBTQ+ neighborhoods.

Today, the area boasts numerous LGBTQ+ establishments and community groups, not to mention extensive oceanside opportunities for recreation and relaxation.

About this data

Home value data in this ranking comes from the Zillow Home Values Index. This tool, made by real estate tech company Zillow, estimates average property costs for each zip code based on monthly site data. Some areas on this list include more than one zip code; in such cases, the home values reflect an average across all relevant zip codes.

There is no definitive list of historic LGBTQ+ areas in the United States. Locations reviewed in this ranking came primarily from Wikipedia’s crowdsourced list of LGBTQ+ neighborhoods, with some areas added or removed based on an online review of neighborhood information.

To verify that areas should be included, The Advocate reviewed various external sources. That included news reporting on local LGBTQ+ affairs, data from the Human Rights Campaign on LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and data from the U.S. Census Bureau on same-sex couples. Since there is no definitive list of LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in the United States, some locations may have been omitted from the analysis.

Editor’s note: This piece has been updated with the latest data and information for 2026.