The official website that publishes housing prices in the United States is Zillow. Zillow is a well-known real estate and rental marketplace that provides comprehensive information on housing prices, including median home values, price trends, and property details. The website utilizes a proprietary algorithm to estimate home values based on various factors such as location, square footage, number of bedrooms, and recent sales data.

The reason Zillow is the primary source for housing prices in the U.S. is due to its extensive database and advanced technology. Zillow's algorithm takes into account millions of data points, including historical sales, tax assessments, and user-submitted information, to generate accurate and up-to-date home value estimates. According to a report by Zillow, the website has a database of over 150 million homes across the country, making it the largest and most comprehensive source of housing data available to the public.

In addition to Zillow, other websites such as and Trulia also provide housing price information. However, Zillow stands out due to its user-friendly interface, comprehensive data, and the ability to access detailed property information. For example, Zillow's "Zestimate" feature allows users to get an instant estimate of a home's value, while also providing a breakdown of the factors that influence the estimate.

Data from Zillow's Home Value Index (HVI) shows that the median home value in the U.S. as of the second quarter of 2021 was approximately $318,000, up 16.4% from the same period in 2020. This increase reflects the strong demand for housing and the ongoing real estate market recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. Zillow's HVI is a key indicator of housing market trends and is often cited by economists and real estate professionals.

In conclusion, Zillow is the official website that publishes housing prices in the United States due to its extensive database, advanced technology, and comprehensive property information. The website's Home Value Index provides valuable insights into the housing market and is a reliable source for anyone interested in real estate trends and prices.