Chestnut Hill sits at the top of Northwest Philadelphia, where Germantown Avenue reaches its highest point before crossing into Montgomery County. The architecture is a near-complete catalog of Victorian-era ambition (stone Victorians, Queen Annes, shingle-style houses on generous lots), and the commercial district along Germantown Ave operates more like a small-town main street than a city neighborhood strip.
The Wissahickon Valley runs along its western edge with access via numerous trailheads. Regional rail puts Center City about 25 minutes away. It’s one of those places where people arrive and decide to stay.
Talk to Henry| Median list price (Jul 2026) | $862,000 |
|---|---|
| Sold median (Jul 2026) | $1,250,000 |
| Homes listed (Jul 2026) | 7 |
| Homes sold (Jul 2026) | 11 |
| Pended (Jul 2026) | 5 |
| Listed volume (Jul 2026) | $5.7M |
| Sold volume (Jul 2026) | $15.6M |
| Listed median (Jul 2026) | $570,000 |
| Average days on market | 13 days |
| Zip code | 19118 |
| Region | Northwest Philadelphia |
Based on information from Bright MLS for 7/1/2026 through 7/31/2026; data is reliable but not guaranteed.
Boundary and reference data from OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the ODbL.
Lines are scaled to each metric’s own range to compare trend shape. Hover any month for actual values.
All Data From Bright MLS. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
| Month | Units listed | Listed volume | Listed median | Pended | Units sold | Sold volume | Sold median | Days on market |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug '25 | 7 | $7.7M | $825k | 6 | 8 | $12.6M | $975k | 124 days |
| Sep '25 | 13 | $22.3M | $1.20M | 2 | 8 | $7.5M | $722k | 14 days |
| Oct '25 | 8 | $10.9M | $1.12M | 10 | 5 | $6.5M | $850k | 29 days |
| Nov '25 | 4 | $5.7M | $1.24M | 6 | 14 | $19.1M | $1.18M | 42 days |
| Dec '25 | 8 | $10.7M | $775k | 4 | 11 | $11.9M | $925k | 36 days |
| Jan '26 | 9 | $10.3M | $765k | 4 | 6 | $7.5M | $988k | 5 days |
| Feb '26 | 7 | $6.3M | $835k | 5 | 2 | $4.1M | $2.05M | 14 days |
| Mar '26 | 11 | $15.3M | $925k | 6 | 7 | $10.9M | $1.02M | 36 days |
| Apr '26 | 18 | $27.8M | $1.14M | 7 | 10 | $12.6M | $962k | 32 days |
| May '26 | 23 | $31.2M | $995k | 9 | 6 | $10.9M | $2.06M | 10 days |
| Jun '26 | 21 | $23.1M | $875k | 10 | 8 | $8.4M | $775k | 15 days |
| Jul '26 | 7 | $5.7M | $570k | 5 | 11 | $15.6M | $1.25M | 13 days |
Based on information from Bright MLS for 8/1/2025 through 7/31/2026; data is reliable but not guaranteed.
Germantown Avenue through Chestnut Hill is a must-visit commercial corridor. Independent boutiques, restaurants worth the drive from anywhere in the city, a year-round farmers market, and holiday decorations that brings out half the neighborhood.
Chestnut Hill has some of the most architecturally significant residential stock in Philadelphia. Stone singles and twins from the late 1800s through the early 1900s, some designed by architects whose names still carry weight. The lots are generous, the construction is heavy, and the details, slate roofs, original hardware, patterned tile, still show up in houses that have been standing for 120 years.
The neighborhood has direct access to Wissahickon Valley Park trails along its western edge. Community events throughout the year, and two regional rail lines, Chestnut Hill East and Chestnut Hill West, connect to Center City. The Wissahickon trail system runs along the western border of the neighborhood.
Chestnut Hill closed 11 sales in July at a median of $1,250,000, its busiest closing month since December and a luxury-heavy one by mix. As is typical for the Hill, low monthly volume and a few large closings move the monthly figure, so the active market is the better gauge: 32 homes were on the market at the end of July, with a median list price of $862,000.
July closings averaged 13 days on market. The Hill continues to reward good pricing and presentation: even in a month when the median sale crossed $1 million, the homes that closed had moved quickly.
Only seven homes came to market in July against 11 closings, and inventory settled at 32, about four months of supply. The thin new-listing flow is the number to watch. Buyers have more choice than a year ago, 32 active homes against 18 last July, but fresh, well-priced listings still draw fast attention.
Based on information from Bright MLS for 7/1/2026 through 7/31/2026; data is reliable but not guaranteed.
The T3 Home Demand Index (HDI) measures buyer urgency relative to available supply. Values below 50 signal limited demand; 50–74 moderate; 75–89 slow; 90+ steady. Updated monthly from Bright MLS data.
The Philadelphia metro HDI held at 80 in July 2026, unchanged from June and still in the Slow tier. Demand usually eases through July, so a flat month reads as relative strength after June’s pullback. The index remains eight points below its July 2025 reading of 88. Under the flat headline the segments split: both condo tiers pushed deeper into Steady territory, at 100 and 101, and townhouses firmed to 86. Single-family demand slipped at all three price tiers, with luxury down nine points to 72, the largest move of any segment.
Source: Bright MLS T3 Home Demand Index · homedemandindex.com · All 31 data points sourced from monthly report pages.
Chestnut Hill closed 11 sales in July 2026 with a closed median of $1,250,000, a luxury-heavy month. Because low monthly volume and a few high-end sales can swing that figure, the active listing picture is a better gauge: 32 homes were on the market at the end of July, with a median list price of $862,000.
Chestnut Hill homes continue to move quickly when priced well. In July 2026, closings averaged 13 days on market, even with the median sale above $1 million. Well-priced, well-presented homes on the Hill typically go under agreement within the first week or two.
Chestnut Hill is served by two SEPTA Regional Rail lines, Chestnut Hill East and Chestnut Hill West, which connect to Center City in approximately 25 minutes. The neighborhood also has direct trail access to Wissahickon Valley Park along its western edge.
Chestnut Hill falls within the 19118 zip code in Northwest Philadelphia. It borders Mt Airy (19119) to the south and Springfield Township, Montgomery County to the north and west, with Germantown Avenue serving as its main commercial corridor.
Chestnut Hill is one of Philadelphia's most sought-after neighborhoods, with significant architecture, a true main-street commercial corridor, and direct access to the Wissahickon. It is also one of the city's higher-priced markets: the July 2026 median list price was $862,000. Well-priced homes sell quickly, often within a week or two. Whether it fits depends on your budget and what you're after, and I'm glad to talk it through honestly.
The two neighborhoods are next-door neighbors along Germantown Avenue but sit at different price points. Chestnut Hill skews higher, with grander stone singles, generous lots, and a more polished commercial stretch. Mt Airy is generally more accessible on price, with greater housing variety and a more eclectic feel. Buyers often weigh the two, and since I cover both, I can help you compare them directly.
Chestnut Hill has some of the most architecturally significant housing in Philadelphia. Stone Victorians, Queen Annes, shingle-style homes, and large detached singles dominate, many built between the 1880s and the early 1900s and set on generous lots. Slate roofs, original hardware, and patterned tile still show up in homes that have stood for over a century. There are also condos and smaller homes at the lower end of the range.
My brokerage office sits at 8400 Germantown Avenue, in the heart of Chestnut Hill. I’m on the Avenue nearly every day.
Chestnut Hill is a market I know in detail. If you’re considering buying or selling here, I’d be glad to talk through what you’re looking for.
