The Case-Shiller National Home Price index rose by 0.6% in May before seasonal adjustment following a 0.8% increase in April.
National home prices were up 1.1% year-over-year, up from 0.9% in April.
The 10-city and 20-city readings each rose by 0.9% in the month.
National home prices were down 0.1% month-over-month in May after seasonal adjustment, but the 10-city measure rose by 0.3% and the 20-city measure was 0.2% higher.
"Affordability remains a significant headwind for the housing market," said Rebecca Kaufman, Associate Director of Commodities at S&P Dow Jones Indices. "Thirty-year mortgage rates increased to 6.5% in May, leaving the ultra-low 3% borrowing costs a distant memory. At the same time, stubbornly high inflation rates are keeping both the cost of home financing and the cost of living high for prospective buyers."
The monthly home price index report from S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller measures single-family home prices across the US with a two-month lag, broken down by city, with combined measures of the 10 and 20 largest cities and a national index. Case-Shiller reports percentage gains both from the previous month and a year earlier.
Higher home prices are inflationary and are usually negative for bonds. The possible outcome for housing-related stocks is mixed, as higher prices suggest strong demand, but prices that are accelerating too fast can also deter potential buyers.