George Mason study finds homes near data centers sell for higher prices

Researchers at George Mason University have found that homes near data centers in Virginia sell for more money than similar homes farther away. The study looked at an area called "data center alley" and covered all home types, including houses, townhouses, and apartments.

Data centers are large buildings that store and process data for streaming, cloud services, and artificial intelligence. Companies usually build them in places with good roads, reliable power, and nearby jobs. These same features make the surrounding neighbourhoods attractive to buyers.

However, living near a data center has some downsides. Residents may face higher energy bills, less green space, and large industrial buildings nearby. Real estate agents have also reported stronger demand in areas where big tech companies have opened new facilities.