Nothing to do with current really but simply maybe steeper currently? Houses always cost more year after year. Look at the timeline for MA housing costs since 1980. Buying a house is one of the best investments you'll ever make as it has always risen. I was lucky to get into mine in 2000 saw it rise to the 2008 Great Recession and then dip but recover and is what it is today with estimates of three times what I paid for it common. I'm not selling though as my mortgage payment is much less than what I see in rental adverts for similar or smaller. It certainly is daunting.