Healthcare Real Estate’s Crystal Ball: Trends for 2026

The healthcare industry—and its accompanying real estate—has undergone numerous changes in 2025, including space redesigns, a continued focus on outpatient care, and greater technology integration.

CBRE’s recently released “U.S. Healthcare Real Estate” article looks ahead, introducing six trends that will impact healthcare and buildings in 2026.

#1—The Shrinking Pipeline

The article explained that new medical outpatient buildings (MOBs) declined in 2025, “and will drop another 26% in 2025, reaching the lowest level in over a decade.” The same will be true of on-campus hospital facilities. The result is likely to be record-high MOB rents and tenant considerations regarding Class B space.

#2—Investment Increases

Capital availability and improved investor sentiment will mean an increase in commercial real estate volume, especially when it comes to MOBs. CBRE forecasts an increase of 12% in commercial real estate transactions, with healthcare real estate benefitting “from this broader trend as a highly attractive investment alternative.”

#3—Demographic Shifts and Demand

The article explained that the U.S. population aged 75 and older is growing by more than 1 million per year, which is triple the rate of the past 40 years. Additionally, “increased healthcare spending, an expanding healthcare workforce and the proliferation of technology are supporting greater MOB demand,” the authors said.

#4—Savings Reigns Supreme

CBRE noted that healthcare providers are focused on real estate for cost savings due to persistent inflation combined with tight labor markets. As such, the article’s authors said that “healthcare providers will place greater emphasis on portfolio optimization and more affordable outpatient facilities.”

#5—Politics and Provider Impacts

In the wake of the passage and enactment of the July 2025 federal tax bill, over $1 trillion in healthcare reductions are anticipated, while 14.2 million more people are expected to be left without health insurance. As a result, “outpatient real estate demand will accelerate as providers seek more affordable options for healthcare delivery and restrictions are eased on the Inpatient-Only List,” according to the article

#5—The Boost of Bots

The growing use of technology, including artificial intelligence, is expected to increase in 2026. The article pointed out that AI could help improve patient volume management and reduce workforce stress. Furthermore, the technology is forecast to “increase patient satisfaction scores, drive higher patient admissions and optimize the use of existing space,” the authors added.

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