While both metrics provide insights into the central tendency of home sale prices, the median is often preferred because it is less sensitive to extreme values or outliers. This is especially significant in real estate, where a few high-priced transactions can disproportionately skew the average, giving an inaccurate portrayal of typical sale prices. By focusing on the median, which is less influenced by outliers, you get a more accurate representation of the typical sale price in a given market, making it the preferred metric to best gauge housing affordability and home pricing trends nearby.