What Sets Beverly Hills Apart From Every Other Luxury Market

Blending architectural sophistication with functional elegance, properties in Beverly Hills embody the lifestyle discerning buyers seek.

When it comes to the luxury real estate market, not all zip codes are created equal.

New York’s skyline may sparkle, Miami may tempt with its oceanfront allure, and Aspen might woo with its alpine seclusion, but Beverly Hills delivers something more enduring, more complete.

In a landscape where prestige is often fleeting and trends shift with the seasons, Beverly Hills remains the gold standard. More than a destination for luxury homes, it’s a global symbol of legacy, privacy, and timeless wealth.

In this blog, we’ll explore how Beverly Hills stacks up against other premier markets across the U.S., and why it continues to lead them all.

THE CONTENDERS: AMERICA’S ULTRA-LUXURY MARKETS

While several U.S. real estate markets command attention among the ultra-wealthy, few can offer the full spectrum of lifestyle, investment security, and global cachet. Let’s take a closer look at what sets each of America’s ultra-luxury markets apart — and why Beverly Hills continues to sit at the pinnacle.

Beverly Hills, California

Beverly Hills is the culmination of American ultra-luxury real estate and is globally synonymous with wealth, taste, and timeless prestige. Beyond its luxury homes, this city offers a sense of heritage few markets can replicate.

From the manicured estates of The Flats to the hilltop vistas of Trousdale Estates and the guarded seclusion of Beverly Hills Gateway, every enclave offers its own interpretation of grandeur. Properties regularly exceed $20 million, with features like manicured motor courts, screening rooms, wine cellars, wellness spas, and curated art spaces.

Buyers don’t just purchase square footage; they acquire legacy. Beverly Hills also benefits from exceptional zoning laws, cultural cachet, and proximity to private aviation, which further reinforces its position as the market of choice for UHNWI globally.

San Diego, California

San Diego offers a more relaxed interpretation of luxury, where wellness, privacy, and a beach-oriented lifestyle lead the narrative. Palatial homes in La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe, and Del Mar often include sweeping ocean views, multiple guest casitas, state-of-the-art security, and architecture that blends Mediterranean, Spanish Revival, and contemporary coastal styles.

Properties here range from $8 million to $30 million, with many functioning as second or third homes for West Coast elites. San Diego is especially attractive to tech founders, entrepreneurs, and international families who value health-focused living, organic design, and year-round outdoor access, from private hiking trails to surf breaks just minutes away.

Manhattan, New York

In Manhattan, luxury is measured in elevation and address. The ultra-luxury market is defined by its prized vertical real estate: soaring penthouses on Billionaires’ Row, Fifth Avenue co-ops with Central Park views, and art-filled lofts in Tribeca and SoHo.

Typical offerings include full-floor residences, private elevators, a 24-hour concierge, in-unit spas, and access to private clubs and rooftop terraces. Sales frequently exceed $40 million and have been known to break the $100 million barrier.

Buyers are often institutional investors, hedge fund executives, and international financiers who value Manhattan’s unmatched access to power, culture, and capital.

San Francisco, California

San Francisco’s ultra-luxury appeal lies in its fusion of architectural heritage and future-facing design. Areas like Pacific Heights, Sea Cliff, and Presidio Heights are lined with stately manors and renovated Victorian estates, many of which feature smart-home integrations, curated interiors, and unobstructed Bay or Golden Gate Bridge views.

Home values in this tier range from $10 million to $30 million, often held for generational wealth transfer. The buyer demographic includes tech founders, venture capitalists, and executives who value the city’s intellectual edge, walkability, and rare blend of cosmopolitan charm and natural beauty.

Brooklyn, New York

Brooklyn’s rise in the luxury space is powered by authenticity, creativity, and cultural prestige. Red Hook, Carroll Gardens, and Cobble Hill offer brownstones and townhouses with elevator installations, wine libraries, private gyms, and rooftop gardens with skyline views. Williamsburg and Dumbo introduce more contemporary offerings: glass-wrapped condos with gallery-style layouts, often designed by starchitects.

Typical homes start around $6 million and extend beyond $20 million. Brooklyn appeals to buyers seeking a more residential and arts-oriented environment, where the architecture tells a story and the community feels more connected, without sacrificing high-end finishes or investment potential.

Orange County, California

Orange County offers an appealing combination of relaxed luxury and family-first features. Neighborhoods such as Newport Coast, Crystal Cove, and Shady Canyon feature gated compounds that boast resort-style amenities: infinity pools, wine pavilions, indoor basketball courts, and multi-level entertainment wings.

Properties frequently command between $10 million and $40 million, attracting business owners, international investors, and professional athletes. OC’s appeal lies in its balance. You’re minutes from private beaches, upscale retail, and top private schools, yet tucked inside exclusive communities where security and tranquility are guaranteed.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu is the crown jewel of Pacific island luxury, where exclusivity is defined not just by cost, but by remoteness and peace. Estates are found in enclaves like Kahala, Diamond Head, and Hawaii Loa Ridge. These homes often span several thousand square feet, with open-air layouts, Zen gardens, private beaches, and views that stretch across turquoise waters.

Sales range from $8 million to over $40 million. International buyers, particularly from Asia and the West Coast, seek Honolulu for its mix of wellness, security, and generational retreat. It’s not uncommon for homes here to serve as assets held in trust, quietly passed down and rarely sold.

Each of these markets holds undeniable value and appeal. But as we’ll explore next, Beverly Hills brings together all their strongest qualities in one singular, unmatched location. It doesn’t just reflect luxury trends; it sets them.

WHY BEVERLY HILLS STILL LEADS: FIVE KEY ADVANTAGES

From above, the estate-scale living, lush privacy, and architectural diversity of Beverly Hills are unmistakable — a rare combination that continues to set this market apart on a global scale.

As we’ve seen, ultra-luxury markets across the U.S. offer compelling reasons to invest, from waterfront serenity in Honolulu to vertical prestige in Manhattan. Yet Beverly Hills stands apart, offering all the defining elements of high-end living not just occasionally, but consistently, reliably, and at an unrivaled scale.

These five pillars explain why Beverly Hills continues to lead the luxury real estate conversation.

1. Legacy and name recognition

There are luxury markets, and then there’s Beverly Hills. The name alone carries international weight, instantly recognizable in every language, in every financial circle, and across every major market. It’s embedded in film, fashion, music, and culture: a symbol not just of wealth, but of arrival.

For over a century, Beverly Hills has hosted the homes of royalty, studio heads, diplomats, and A-list celebrities. A property here is never “just a house.” It’s a statement of status, lineage, and identity. Buyers often cite the name itself as part of the value, knowing that in global portfolios, Beverly Hills doesn’t require explanation.

Unlike newer upscale enclaves that come and go, Beverly Hills has never needed reinvention. It has remained culturally and financially relevant for generations, a rarity in a constantly shifting global market.

2. Market consistency and long-term value

Beverly Hills has remained remarkably resilient for nearly a century. Since its rise to prominence in the 1920s, the market has demonstrated extraordinary staying power, weathering world wars, recessions, policy shifts, and global crises without losing its desirability.

The numbers tell a compelling story:

• 50-60% appreciation over the past decade. This translates to nearly 5% annual growth, outperforming many bond benchmarks.
• Roughly 190% appreciation over the past 20 years, despite cyclical drawdowns during the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic — a rare feat in luxury real estate.

This performance is no accident. Beverly Hills benefits from a unique combination of tight zoning laws, limited land availability, and high international demand. The result? A market where scarcity drives value, and prestige reinforces price.

Even during temporary market dips triggered by global economic events, Beverly Hills rebounds stronger. For investors seeking wealth preservation, portfolio diversification, or long-term capital growth, Beverly Hills offers more than shelter. It offers legacy-grade security.

3. Privacy and discretion

In today’s ultra-transparent world, privacy is the ultimate luxury, and Beverly Hills was built to deliver it. Gated drives, mature hedging, private streets, security patrols, and guarded communities like Beverly Park and Hidden Valley offer anonymity that is difficult to match elsewhere.

But privacy here goes beyond physical design. Beverly Hills is home to a deeply entrenched culture of discretion, from NDAs signed during property showings to quiet, off-market transactions handled behind the scenes. A-list celebrities, global dignitaries, tech founders, and business magnates choose Beverly Hills because they can live well without being seen.

It’s one of the few places in the world where billionaires can blend in, not by being invisible, but by being insulated.

4. Estate-scale living

While other markets offer high-end homes, Beverly Hills delivers estate-scale living on a level few can replicate. Here, properties often span from half an acre to multiple acres, a rarity in global city centers. Residences commonly include multiple structures: a main residence, guest house, wellness pavilion, screening room, wine cellar, tennis court, and sometimes even full-scale recording studios or art galleries.

Architectural styles vary from historic châteaus and Hollywood Regency classics to contemporary marvels with cantilevered infinity pools and subterranean garages. These are not homes that fit a lifestyle; they create one.

This level of scale and customization appeals to collectors, succession planners, and families who need space for multigenerational living, security teams, or curated lifestyle elements. It’s where luxury is measured by function, freedom, and footprint.

5. Lifestyle, location, and access

No other market combines location, lifestyle, and logistical access the way Beverly Hills does. Perfectly positioned within greater Los Angeles, it offers close proximity to airports (Van Nuys, LAX), global business centers, entertainment studios, and cultural hubs, all within a short drive.

Residents can start the day with Pilates at a five-star spa, shop along Rodeo Drive before lunch, attend a gallery opening in West Hollywood, and host a private dinner party at the end of the day. It’s a lifestyle ecosystem built for those who demand the very best in dining, shopping, health, education, and leisure.

Top-rated public and private schools, medical concierge services, high-end car dealerships, and proximity to Malibu, Santa Barbara, and Palm Springs make Beverly Hills profoundly livable at the highest tier. It’s this seamless blend of access and abundance that makes it unlike any other destination.

When it comes to ultra-luxury real estate markets, Beverly Hills has long set the tone.

WHAT TODAY’S BUYERS ARE ASKING ABOUT BEVERLY HILLS

Beverly Hills homes appeal to a global clientele, from full-time residents to international investors, drawn by enduring value, privacy, and architectural excellence.

Whether you’re investing for the first time or adding to a global portfolio, these are the questions high-net-worth individuals most often ask about the Beverly Hills luxury real estate market.

Is Beverly Hills still a good investment in 2025/2026?

Absolutely. Beverly Hills remains one of the most resilient and value-holding luxury markets in the U.S. Despite broader market shifts, its combination of limited inventory, international demand, and legacy appeal has continued to drive strong appreciation. For investors seeking both prestige and long-term financial return, Beverly Hills is a stable and strategic choice.

Not at all. International buyers regularly purchase in Beverly Hills, and the process is well-supported by experienced real estate professionals, attorneys, and financial advisors. While there may be tax and visa considerations, California has no restrictions on foreign ownership. Many global buyers opt to purchase through LLCs or trusts for added privacy and protection, a common and well-understood practice in this market.

Are Beverly Hills homes typically primary residences or secondary homes?

Both. Many buyers live full-time in Beverly Hills, especially those with families, thanks to the city’s excellent schools and central location. Others maintain these properties as secondary or tertiary residences, using them seasonally or for business, travel, or entertainment purposes. The market is well-suited to both lifestyles, offering everything from turnkey lock-and-leave condos to full-service estates.

Are Beverly Hills properties typically on or off the market?

While many listings are public, a significant portion of high-value transactions occur off-market. This is especially true for ultra-luxury estates, where privacy is critical. Working with an elite broker ensures access to exclusive inventory and confidential opportunities that never reach the MLS.

What price range defines the ultra-luxury tier in Beverly Hills?

In 2025, the ultra-luxury tier generally begins at $20 million and extends into the $50 million–plus range for trophy properties. These homes offer unparalleled amenities, estate-scale land, and often, architectural or historical significance. At the highest end, prices reflect not only size and location, but pedigree.

WHAT MAKES BEVERLY HILLS TRULY UNMATCHABLE

When evaluating the luxury real estate market, few names evoke the same reverence or deliver the same results as Beverly Hills.

Other cities may offer strong appreciation or lifestyle appeal, but only Beverly Hills offers all five of the defining pillars of ultra-luxury living at once:

• Legacy and name recognition: A global icon synonymous with success and status.
• Market consistency and long-term value: A history of appreciation and enduring investor confidence.
• Privacy and discretion: Infrastructure built for the world’s most private individuals.
• Estate-scale living: Grand properties designed for both lifestyle and longevity.
• Lifestyle, location, and access: A rare combination of cultural capital and coastal proximity.

These strengths make Beverly Hills relevant not only in 2025/2026, but across generations. It speaks to young tech wealth and seasoned fortunes alike. To international families, Hollywood icons, and investors. Few markets are this adaptable, and even fewer are this aspirational.

EXPLORE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN BEVERLY HILLS LUXURY REAL ESTATE WITH JOYCE REY

I’m Joyce Rey, one of the top luxury Realtors in Southern California. With decades of experience representing the most iconic estates in Beverly Hills, I bring unmatched insight and discretion to every transaction. It would be my privilege to guide you through this extraordinary market — whether you’re seeking a legacy estate, a strategic investment, or your next dream home.

Call me directly at 310.291.6646 or send me an email to schedule a private consultation. Let’s find the property that meets your vision and exceeds your expectations.