The Inland Empire’s New Home Surge: Outpacing the Nation in 2025?
The Inland Empire has always been known for its wide-open spaces, family-friendly communities, and relative affordability compared to coastal California. But in 2025, it’s making headlines for something else: its booming housing development—especially in the single-family and mixed-use sectors.
While many markets across the U.S. are grappling with sluggish housing starts due to economic uncertainty and higher interest rates, the Inland Empire is quietly becoming a construction hot spot. But how exactly does it stack up against nationwide trends?
🚧 Building Big in the IE
Last year, the Inland Empire added 1,340 new housing units—a 17.5% increase from the previous year. Even more telling, there are over 6,800 more units in the pipeline. These aren’t just numbers; they represent real communities taking shape. From Silverwood in Hesperia to The Resort in Rancho Cucamonga, large-scale, master-planned developments are popping up across the region, often blending homes with retail and lifestyle amenities.
Local governments have been doing their part, too, by streamlining permitting processes and incentivizing faster development to keep up with the surging demand from L.A. transplants and new families looking for space, affordability, and opportunity.
🏘️ The Multifamily Puzzle
On the flip side, multifamily housing isn’t growing nearly as fast in the IE. In the first half of 2024, only 554 multifamily units were completed, which is just 0.4% of the existing inventory. That’s well below the national average of 1.1%.
Why the lag? Rising interest rates, inflationary pressures, and tighter lending are making it harder for large-scale apartment projects to get off the ground. But that hasn’t stopped the demand. With occupancy rates at 95.3% and average rents hitting $2,141 (above the U.S. average of $1,739), the multifamily market remains competitive and resilient.
📈 How Does the IE Compare Nationally?
So, is the Inland Empire outpacing the national housing market? Yes—at least when it comes to single-family and mixed-use construction. The region’s growth trajectory is aligning with that of other fast-expanding metros like Phoenix and Houston, but with its own Southern California twist.
Where it lags slightly is in multifamily development—but that could shift quickly as the market adjusts and new financing options open up.
🏡 Why It Matters
For homebuyers, renters, investors, and real estate professionals alike, the Inland Empire’s construction boom represents opportunity. Whether you’re helping clients relocate, searching for your next investment, or just trying to understand where the market is headed, the IE’s housing growth is a trend worth watching.
As we move further into 2025, the message is clear: The Inland Empire isn’t just growing—it’s building a future.
