USDA Farmland Values Reach a Record High in 2026
- Craig Kaiser
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
The U.S. Department of Agriculture just confirmed what many landowners already suspected: farmland is worth more than ever. According to the 2026 Land Values report from USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the average value of U.S. cropland has topped $6,000 per acre for the first time on record.
For landowners, that's a meaningful jump in net worth. For buyers and investors, it's a sign that the window for a bargain entry into ag land may be closing. And for realtors working rural and rural-adjacent markets, it's a data point that can anchor pricing conversations with clients on both sides of a deal.
The 2026 USDA Farmland Values Report, By the Numbers
The USDA's 2026 Farmland Values Report shows that farmland values continue to climb across the United States, reflecting strong demand and the long-term value of agricultural land. Here are the key takeaways from this year's report and what they reveal about the current farmland market.
Cropland values averaged $6,020 per acre nationally, up 3.3% from 2025. This is first time the average has exceeded $6,000.
Pastureland reached $2,000 per acre, up 4.2% year over year.
Overall farm real estate (land and buildings combined) averaged $4,500 per acre, up 3.4%. This is the sixth consecutive annual increase.
Cropland values are up 21.8% since 2022 alone, and farm real estate values have climbed nearly 79% since 2012.
Cropland cash rents held roughly flat at $160 per acre nationally, while irrigated cropland cash rent averaged $244 per acre.
Why Do Farmland Values Keep Rising?
Agricultural economists point to the limited supply of farmland as the primary driver behind rising land values. Because farmland rarely comes onto the market, competition among buyers remains strong, even during challenging periods for the farm economy. Combined with steady demand and farmland's reputation as a stable, long-term investment, this scarcity has continued to push values higher.
Unlike many other assets, farmland values are driven more by long-term confidence in agriculture's earning potential than by short-term fluctuations in commodity prices. In most regions, farmers and ranchers remain the primary buyers, typically expanding existing operations rather than entering the industry for the first time. This keeps demand concentrated among buyers with a long-term outlook who are less influenced by a single poor crop year.
Which States and Regions Are Seeing the Biggest Gains
Farmland values vary enormously by region, soil quality, and proximity to development pressure. Here's how some of the key markets stack up in the 2026 Land Values Summary report:
Region / State | 2026 Avg. Cropland Value | YoY Change from 2025 |
Corn Belt (IL, IN, IA, MO, OH) | $9,280/acre | +3.8% |
Utah | $6,040/acre | +4.3% |
Florida | $11,100/acre | +5.2% |
Tennessee | $6,400/acre | +5.8% |
Wisconsin | $7,600/acre | +4.8% |
U.S. average | $6,020/acre | +3.3% |
Tennessee had the largest percentage increase in cropland value nationally in 2026, followed by Florida and Wisconsin. Meanwhile, California held onto the highest average cash rent for cropland for a second consecutive year, underscoring how much local demand and competing land uses shape the numbers behind the national average.
What This Means for Landowners
If you own farmland, the value of your property may have increased significantly over the past several years. This provides more equity, stronger collateral, and more flexibility if you're considering a loan, a lease, or a sale. But higher assessed values can also mean higher property tax bills, so it's worth understanding where your specific parcel sits relative to state and county averages rather than assuming the national number applies evenly. Before listing, leasing, or borrowing against land, it pays to know the current, defensible value of that specific parcel - not just the regional trend.
What This Means for Farmland Buyers and Investors
Entry costs are rising, and with supply still limited, well-capitalized and cash buyers continue to have an edge over financed purchases. Premiums are concentrated in parcels with strong fundamentals like water access, road frontage, favorable soil, or development and energy leasing potential. In this kind of market, overpaying is the real risk. Comparing a target property against recent comparable sales and parcel-level data, rather than relying on a general sense of "what land goes for around here," is a more reliable way to underwrite a purchase.
Because farmland listed for sale on LandApp are enhanced with parcel-level data like soil types, land usage data, and acreage details, browsing current marketplace listings is an easy way to see how real, active asking prices in a given area compare to the national and regional averages in this report.
What This Means for Land Realtors
Clients on both sides of a rural transaction are going to be asking about these numbers. Sellers will point to record values as justification for asking price; buyers will want to know whether a specific listing is actually priced in line with recent comparable sales or simply riding the headline. Agents who can back up a listing price or a buyer's offer with parcel-specific data, rather than general market sentiment, have a real advantage in these conversations.
Tracking Farmland Value Parcel by Parcel
National and state averages are a useful starting point, but they can only tell you so much. Land value is hyperlocal: soil productivity, topography, water rights, flood and wildfire exposure, and proximity to roads or development all move the number for a specific tract, sometimes significantly. That's where looking beyond the headline average matters.
LandApp's free parcel maps let anyone view property lines, soil maps, flood zones, topography, and other risk layers nationwide at no cost, which is a useful first step in sizing up a specific property. For a deeper look, a free Property Report pulls together land features, value indicators, and potential risks for a single parcel - all of which impact farmland values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average value of farmland in the U.S. in 2026?
According to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, the average value of U.S. cropland reached $6,020 per acre in 2026, the first time it has surpassed $6,000. Average farm real estate value, which includes land and buildings, reached $4,500 per acre, and average pastureland value reached $2,000 per acre.
Why do farmland values keep rising when farm income is under pressure?
Economists point to a limited supply of farmland for sale, which keeps competition high among buyers even as commodity prices and profit margins tighten. Farmland values tend to reflect long-term confidence in agriculture's earning potential rather than short-term swings in crop prices, and farmers and ranchers remain the primary buyers in most regions.
Which states and regions have the highest farmland values?
The Corn Belt (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and Ohio) and the Pacific region (California, Oregon, and Washington) post the highest overall farm real estate values. On a cropland basis, Florida, the Corn Belt, and parts of the Southeast rank among the most expensive per acre, while states like Tennessee and Wisconsin saw some of the largest year-over-year percentage increases in 2026.
How can I find out what my specific piece of land is worth?
National and state averages are a useful benchmark, but land value is highly local and parcel-specific. Soil quality, water access, road frontage, zoning, proximity to development, and risk factors such as flood or wildfire risk all affect a given parcel's value. A property-specific valuation typically draws on recent comparable sales, assessor data, and site-level features rather than county or state averages alone.
Which state has the most expensive farmland?
Rhode Island has the most expensive farmland in the United States due to it’s limited supply, location, and development pressure. In Rhode Island, the average cropland value in 2026 reached $34,300/acre and pastureland reached $17,500/acre.