This splashy feature in your home can increase its value by a whopping 54%, study shows

This is one way to take the plunge when shopping for a home.  It turns out installing a backyard pool may not just be a splashy lifestyle upgrade — it could also be a savvy financial move.

According to new data from Realtor.com, homes with pools are continuing to command a sizable markup in the housing market, with listings featuring the amenity priced 54% higher on average

than those without them as of April 2025.  While the frenzy over pool properties peaked during the height of the pandemic — when the so-called “pool premium” hit 61% — the enduring appetite

for this backyard luxury suggests that buyers are still willing to pay a premium for a private oasis. EXPLORE MORE So far this year, the average listing price for a home with a pool hit

$599,000, compared to $389,000 for homes without. Even accounting for the fact that pool homes tend to be larger, the data shows a clear value bump on a per-square-foot basis: $247 versus

$204. The trend is especially pronounced in sun-soaked states across the South and West, where pool ownership is more common and year-round use is more feasible. Florida markets such as

Miami-Fort Lauderdale and Tampa, along with Phoenix and Austin, topped the list for the highest share of pool-equipped listings in 2025. Meanwhile, metros including Las Vegas, Houston and

even cooler-weather Indianapolis have seen the biggest increases in pool listings since 2019, underscoring the widening geographic appeal. Still, not all buyers are diving in without

hesitation. Pools come with hefty costs — both upfront and ongoing. Annual maintenance, chemical treatments and energy bills can set owners back $960 to $1,800, according to HomeGuide.com. 

Insurance premiums also rise due to safety risks, and some buyers — particularly families with young children — may see a pool as more liability than perk. In colder climates, seasonal use

means the feature sits dormant for much of the year. Despite those drawbacks, pool listings hit their highest levels of the year this past April, a sign that both demand and supply are

heating up alongside summer temperatures.