Healthcare Real Estate Trends Occupiers Need to Know as AI and Staffing Reshape Space Needs

Healthcare providers are navigating a changing real estate landscape as demand for outpatient care grows, staffing challenges persist, and artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes how facilities operate. At the same time, limited medical office building (MOB) construction and elevated occupancy are creating new considerations for healthcare occupiers evaluating their real estate portfolios.

Cresa's Fall 2026 Healthcare Sector Report examines the healthcare real estate trends influencing location strategy, space requirements, and long-term portfolio planning across the U.S.

Healthcare Real Estate Insights: What the Latest Data Shows

Medical office buildings continue to outperform the traditional office market, with national MOB occupancy at 91.3% compared to 84.1% for traditional office. Direct MOB vacancy stands at 8.3%, while annual asking rent growth has moderated to approximately 0.8%.

Healthcare and social assistance added more than 500,000 jobs over the past year, reinforcing demand for healthcare services. However, much of that growth is concentrated in ambulatory healthcare, home healthcare, and social assistance, supporting a continued shift toward outpatient and community-based care.

These trends are influencing how healthcare occupiers evaluate locations, access to labor, and the flexibility of existing facilities.

Medical Real Estate Trends: Rents, Occupancy, and Construction

While national MOB asking rent growth has slowed, market conditions vary considerably. Orlando and Dallas recorded some of the strongest annual rent growth at 2.6% and 2.5%, respectively, while San Francisco, San Jose, and Miami continue to command some of the highest asking rents nationally.

New construction also remains selective. Approximately 10.4 million square feet of medical office space is under construction nationwide, as higher financing costs, construction expenses, and specialized facility requirements continue to challenge new development.

For healthcare occupiers, these conditions make it increasingly important to evaluate existing space, renewal opportunities, and expansion options. Markets with weaker absorption or more available inventory may offer greater negotiating leverage, while high-occupancy markets can limit flexibility.

Healthcare Real Estate Outlook: AI, Labor, and Outpatient Care

Technology and workforce challenges are becoming increasingly important considerations in healthcare real estate planning. More than 80% of physicians report using AI professionally, and emerging applications in documentation, scheduling, and administrative workflows could change how healthcare facilities allocate space. Rather than significantly reducing overall demand, AI is more likely to influence the balance between administrative workstations, adaptable clinical environments, and technology infrastructure.

At the same time, persistent staffing shortages and elevated job openings are making labor availability a critical factor in site selection. Healthcare providers must increasingly consider employee commuting patterns, patient access, and operational efficiency alongside traditional real estate costs.

As care continues shifting toward outpatient and community-based settings, healthcare occupiers are reevaluating how their facilities can support changing patient needs, evolving technology, and future growth.

Download Cresa's Fall 2026 Healthcare Sector Report for additional healthcare real estate insights, national MOB market data, and strategies to help occupiers navigate an evolving healthcare landscape.

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