Short answer
Sometimes, but not always. Research does not provide a completely clear-cut answer. Swedish studies have shown that home prices can, on average, be negatively affected close to wind turbines, while other Nordic and international studies have found small effects or no effects at all. Results vary depending on factors such as distance, landscape, the local housing market, how visible the turbines are and how the studies are carried out.
Why is this discussed?
Common misconceptions
“Wind power always lowers property values”
No. Research shows mixed results. Some studies find negative effects close to wind turbines, while other studies find no statistically significant impact at all. Results differ between countries, markets and local conditions.
“Homes near wind turbines are impossible to sell”
There is no scientific support for the claim that homes generally become impossible to sell because of wind power. However, several studies show that buyers in some areas may be willing to pay less for homes near planned or existing wind turbines. The size of the effect varies between places and markets.
“Homes near wind turbines lose 50 percent of their value”
There are no established research findings showing that homes near wind turbines generally lose half their value. Instead, research shows mixed results, where any negative effects are normally much smaller and mainly observed for homes located close to the turbines. Results also vary between places and over time.
What do the facts say?
Swedish research shows negative effects close to wind turbines
Researchers at KTH have analysed Swedish property transactions and found negative price effects for homes close to wind turbines. The effects were largest within about 0–2 kilometres and decreased with distance. The studies describe average statistical relationships, not how the value develops for each individual property, which means that the impact can vary between different areas and homes.
Other Nordic studies show smaller effects or no effects
A Finnish study analysing home sales before and after wind power developments found no statistically significant impact on house prices. The researchers concluded that other factors had a greater influence on price development than proximity to wind turbines.
International research shows mixed results
A 2022 research review summarising a large number of studies from Europe and North America shows that many studies find negative effects close to wind turbines, but that results vary substantially between places. Effects tend to be greatest when homes are located very close to turbines and decline with distance. Several more recent studies also indicate that effects may decrease over time.
What affects the assessment?
- Distance to the wind turbines – effects, when measured, are usually greatest closest to the installations.
- Visibility in the landscape – homes with a direct view of large wind turbines are more often affected than homes where the turbines are barely visible.
- The local housing market – factors such as population growth, jobs, services and demand often affect prices more than any single factor.
- Size and number of turbines – several studies show larger effects for larger and more visible wind power installations.
- Time perspective – research shows that the market may react differently during the planning phase, construction phase and operational phase. Any effects that appear when a project is announced may change over time.
- Local opinion and debate – the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s research review highlights that attitudes and conflict around projects can affect the housing market, making it difficult to separate the effects of the installation itself from the effects of the local debate.
- Changed rules – Sweden has introduced a system for revenue sharing from wind power installations. The preparatory work describes the background partly as a need to compensate those whose surroundings are affected by wind power expansion and to increase local benefit. Revenue sharing is not a guarantee against possible changes in property value, but it means that the overall economic picture for nearby residents looks different than it did when many of the studies were carried out.