10 Hottest Housing Markets in the U.S. To Watch Right Now

If you’re considering relocating, a smart homeowner move is to pay attention to which real estate markets are heating up before you accept a job offer in a new city.

Real estate market activity can be considered hot for a number of reasons, including high prices, quick sales, an abundance of buyers, and more. In this instance, we’re measuring a hot metro area by market demand (as evidenced by number of views per property on Realtor.com) and number of days an active listing remains on the market before selling.

Data on real estate markets chiefly revolves around the metro areas of large cities. Many smaller towns and rural areas may meet these criteria, but they don’t receive the same research attention.

Plus, the sale of a few properties can skew the data when there aren’t many sales per capita in the area. So of the 300 major metropolitan areas measured by Realtor.com, these 10 are the hottest right now.

Median days on market: 28

Median Listing price: $572,000

Manchester is the largest city in New Hampshire and has been the hottest real estate market in the U.S. 22 times since it nabbed the spot in March 2021.

It’s only an hour from Boston, where homes are much more expensive (with a median listing price of $837,000). And with no state income tax, this New Hampshire market has high demand from locals and out-of-state buyers alike.

Median days on market: 30

Median Listing price: $385,000

This market is hot for similar reasons as Manchester: its proximity to the higher-priced Boston area and relative affordability.

It’s a 90-minute commute from Springfield to Boston, but Springfield is likely especially attractive right now thanks to the low unemployment and plentiful jobs in sectors like healthcare and education.

Median days on market: 33

Median listing price: $400,000

Another hot New England market, Hartford has been hopping since the summer with many homes going for hundreds of thousands over the asking price. Some real estate agents are advising buyers to waive contingencies to land homes in the area because the competition is so stiff.

Median days on market: 32

Median listing price: $534,000

Like other northeastern areas, Concord is a very competitive real estate market. According to data from Redfin, 69% of listings in October sold for above the asking price.

This has cooled off from July, when 80% of homes sold for above asking price. On average, homes go for about 3% above the list price.

Median days on market: 28

Median listing price: $232,000

An unlikely spot for a housing market boom, Rockford is about 90 miles from both Milwaukee and Chicago.

Though it has seen higher unemployment rates than many areas of the country, it’s home to a lot of manufacturing, hospital, and aerospace jobs. The homes here are also much more affordable than nearby metro areas like Chicago, and have more minimal risk from climate change threats.

Median days on market: 31

Median Listing price: $527,000

Worcester may be more expensive than Springfield, but it’s only about an hour from Boston, landing it a spot as the sixth-hottest real estate market.

Buyers in the area are comprised of locals who can still afford the elevated housing prices, investors, and Bostonians taking advantage of remote work and the ability to live further away from the office.

Median days on market: 31

Median listing price: $390,000

Constrained inventory ( manifested by a reduced number of listings) is one reason for the heat in the Lancaster market. Current prices in the area are about $60,000 higher than their former peaks in September 2023 and May 2024.

At just over an hour from Philadelphia by car or train, Lancaster is a commuter-friendly city for those who want cheaper homes and are willing to travel or work from home.

Median days on market: 37

Median listing price: $312,000

The small inventory of homes could explain why Oshkosh and its environs have such heated buying competition. Only 59 homes sold in October 2024, a 31.4% drop from the 86 that sold this time last year.

Though they have climbed since the pandemic, housing prices in the area are affordable compared to many other metro areas. Also, the picturesque views of nearby Lake Winnebago make Oshkosh a desirable place to call home.

Median days on market: 36

Median listing price: $228,000

One of the few hot markets with prices well below $300,000, Akron seems to be showing signs of cooling. For a long time, sellers had the upper hand thanks to low inventory and steady demand due to immigration from major metros like New York and Los Angeles.

While prices are still increasing, the rate is slowing and listings are spending a little longer on the market. However, its proximity to major cities like Cleveland, Pittsburg, and Columbus make Akron a real estate market to watch.

Median days on market: 30

Median listing price: $323,000

Much of the market demand in Racine comes from local buyers, 71% of whom are looking to remain in the area. The other explanation for the heat in this market is the influx of buyers from pricier Chicago.

While the reasons may vary for the uptick in interest in this area, the data are clear: prices in Racine have been climbing quickly, up 13.7% since last year.

One major factor is driving the heat of many of these real estate markets: the ability to work from home. Many of these metro areas wouldn’t be seeing nearly the same activity if workers in large cities like Boston and Chicago didn’t have the option to spend less time in the office, since those longer commutes are more appealing when you’re getting a home for about half the price you’d pay in a larger metro area.

Affordability is the other main driver in this real estate landscape. Many people just can’t afford to buy or even rent a home in these large cities, even if that’s where they spend the majority of their time. In the hot spots on this list, the home price-to-wage ratio hasn’t risen nearly as much as it has in other areas, so homebuyers are flocking to these islands of affordability in a sea of rising prices.