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entrification often begins when a neighborhood is upgraded and renovated by young, wealthy homeowners and investors. While some see this as a positive for the local economy, others argue it displaces long-term residents who can no longer afford to live there.

    A telltale sign of gentrification is the proliferation of gray-painted houses. A recent study found that neighborhoods undergoing gentrification nationwide are being repainted in various shades of gray. In Washington D.C., for example, a color analysis revealed that areas with increasing white populations and decreasing black populations were predominantly painted gray.

    Richard Segovia, a 71-year-old resident of San Francisco's Mission District, lamented the loss of vibrant colors and community character as his neighborhood gentrified. "All this gray—it's so dark, it's so gloomy, so ugly," he said.

    In Colorado Springs, CO, real estate agent Andrew Fortune noted that gray has been a dominant exterior color choice for years, becoming the default for builders, house flippers, and homeowners. Interior designers Teresa Boyd and Helena Finkelstein attribute the popularity of gray to its appeal to a wide audience and its association with modernity.

    Designer Justin M. Riordan likened gray to the "pumpkin spice latte" of home exteriors – trendy and ubiquitous. Realtor.com's Hannah Jones noted that gentrification can bring investment and climbing home values, but also displaces long-term residents and strips neighborhoods of their character.

    The debate over gentrification's benefits and drawbacks continues. While some see it as a positive force for economic growth, others argue it erases the cultural identity and charm of a neighborhood. Realtor.com economists examined real estate data in Nashville, TN; Washington, D.C.; and San Francisco to understand how gentrification unfolded and its consequences.

    In Nashville, ZIP codes with high minority populations saw significant declines in black population shares between 2015 and 2025, while home prices skyrocketed an average of 90.7%. In Washington, D.C., six ZIP codes experienced similar demographic shifts, with one area seeing a 17% decrease in its share of black population. San Francisco's gentrification has been ongoing for decades, but areas with significant price growth tend to be more affordable neighborhoods.