Intelligent Investment
U.S. Healthcare Real Estate: 6 Key Trends to Watch in 2026
December 2, 2025 3 Minute Read
U.S. healthcare real estate is poised for a notable year in 2026, as powerful trends continue to shape the business of most healthcare organizations. To help healthcare occupiers and investors navigate these changes, CBRE has identified six key trends to watch in the coming year.
Contact us today for exclusive access to the full report, including expanded insights and data on each trend.
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Construction completions of new medical outpatient buildings (MOB) will fall to decade-low levels, reducing occupier options.
MOB construction completions declined in 2025 and will drop another 26% in 2026, reaching the lowest level in over a decade. Completions of on-campus hospital facilities will contract even more. The lack of new supply could push more occupiers into second-generation office and retail space.
The reduced supply will drive MOB rents to historic highs by the end of 2026, led by markets in the southern and western U.S.
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Investment activity in healthcare real estate will increase.
CBRE Research forecasts a 16% increase in commercial real estate sales volume (all asset types) in 2025 and a 12% increase in 2026, reflecting ample capital availability and improved investor sentiment.
Healthcare real estate will benefit from this broader trend as a highly attractive investment alternative.
New research shows MOBs near high-traffic retail corridors and high-income areas could realize higher rents and occupancy.
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Megatrends will intensify demand for healthcare space.
An aging U.S. population, increased healthcare spending, an expanding healthcare workforce and the proliferation of technology are supporting greater MOB demand.
The U.S. is undergoing a historic demographic shift in which the population aged 75 years and older is growing by more than 1 million per year, triple the rate of the past 40 years.
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Occupiers will prioritize real estate for savings amid persistent cost and labor pressures.
With less relief from government reimbursements, persistent inflationary pressure and continued tight labor markets, many healthcare providers are focusing on real estate for cost savings.
Medical supply costs rose by 3.4% in 2025 after a slight decline in 2024.
Healthcare providers will place greater emphasis on portfolio optimization and more affordable outpatient facilities.
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Federal healthcare policy will bring new risks and opportunities.
Following enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill, more than $1 trillion in healthcare spending reductions are forecast and 14.2 million more people are expected to be without healthcare insurance.
Some providers will be impacted more than others, but outpatient real estate demand will accelerate as providers seek more affordable options for healthcare delivery and restrictions are eased on the Inpatient-Only List.
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AI will increasingly disrupt healthcare real estate.
Surveys indicate use of AI in the healthcare industry is increasing at a faster rate than in other industries. Growing use of technology will continue in 2026.
AI can help to improve patient volume management, reduce workforce stress, increase patient satisfaction scores, drive higher patient admissions and optimize the use of existing space.
Want exclusive insights and data on these trends? Contact us for the full report.
Contacts
Bryan Johnson
Managing Sr Director, Americas Healthcare, Advisory Services
