Fairfield County’s Luxury Market Thrives Despite Low Inventory

Fairfield County has emerged as a top destination for luxury buyers, offering the perfect balance of suburban tranquility and modern conveniences. While coastal towns like Westport, Darien, Greenwich, and Fairfield provide beachfront living, upscale dining, and high-end shopping, more rural towns such as Wilton, New Canaan, Weston, and Easton have been discovered by buyers seeking quiet, spacious homes—whether as full-time residences or part-time retreats from the metro area. Across the county, top-rated public schools, a strong sense of community, and convenient access to NYC continue to drive demand, solidifying Fairfield County’s position as a premier luxury market.

Luxury Market Outpaces Traditional Real Estate

Nationally, the luxury housing sector is outpacing the broader market in price growth. Over the past year:

• Luxury single-family home prices rose 7.6%, more than double the 3% growth in the traditional market.
• Luxury condos saw similar gains, increasing by 6.5% compared to 3% in the standard market.

The 2025 Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Trend Report provides additional insights into the national luxury market, which continues to outperform the broader housing sector. Luxury single-family home prices are growing twice as fast as the overall market, fueled by:

• Renewed confidence among high-net-worth buyers.
• A greater selection of desirable properties hitting the market.
• Increased purchasing power, allowing buyers to secure premium homes in top-tier locations.

Despite a nationwide decline in unit sales, Fairfield County’s real estate market proved its resilience. While home sales dipped a modest 0.5%, available inventory fell sharply by 17.3%, highlighting strong buyer demand.

Several towns saw significant growth in luxury home sales despite tight inventory. Fairfield experienced a 20.8% increase in luxury unit sales, Wilton surged by 52.6%, and Darien saw a 50% rise. In Westport, luxury home sales climbed 16.4%, even as overall unit sales declined by 5.8%. Notably, Easton saw a staggering 114% increase in luxury home sales compared to the traditional market, reinforcing the strong demand for high-end properties in the area.

What’s Next? Key Luxury Trends for 2025

As we look ahead, several trends are shaping the future of luxury real estate:

1. Gen X Leads the Luxury Boom

Generation X is making moves. Over the past five years, Gen X luxury homeownership grew by 10%, outpacing all other age groups. While Baby Boomers still hold over 50% of market share, Gen X is driving a new wave of demand for high-end properties.

2. Flexible, Multi-Generational Living

Luxury buyers increasingly seek versatile spaces that accommodate multi-generational living. According to a survey of Luxury Property Specialists, 45% cited flexible layouts as a top home feature. Many Gen X buyers, balancing aging parents and adult children, prefer homes with separate guest quarters, in-law suites, and adaptable living spaces.

3. The Rise of Indoor-Outdoor Living

Luxury buyers are prioritizing seamless indoor-outdoor spaces, with over 60% of Luxury Property Specialists ranking it as a top feature—a 10% increase year-over-year. Expansive patios, outdoor kitchens, and retractable glass walls are becoming must-haves in high-end homes.

4. A Curated Approach to Luxury Development

New luxury developments are highly tailored to the evolving demands of today’s buyers. Developers are integrating:

• • Five-star amenities
  • Walkability
  • Eco-friendly design & climate resilience

5. Affluent Women Are Driving the Luxury Market

The Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Trend Report also highlights a major demographic shift in high-end real estate: affluent women are becoming a dominant force in the luxury market. Women with a net worth of $5 million or more now own a significant portion of luxury real estate in the U.S. and worldwide.

This shift is reshaping the market, as women take the lead in both buying and selling luxury properties, influencing design trends, and driving demand for sophisticated, high-quality homes. Their increasing influence is reflected in the demand for turnkey residences, wellness-focused amenities, and investment-driven purchases in prime locations.

As luxury continues to set the pace for the housing market, Fairfield County remains a prime destination for high-end buyers.

Curious about your home’s value in today’s luxury market? Let’s connect for a personalized market analysis. If you would like to read the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Trend Report, click here.