The new year is expected to bring greater stability to the US housing market, but several regional metros stand out from the pack, offering buyers better affordability than their high-priced neighbors while also delivering advantages to sellers.
Researchers at Realtor.com® have identified ten regional markets—almost all in the Northeast or Midwest—that are projected to see robust growth driven by rising home sales, price gains, or both.
These high-performance enclaves have several things in common: They all offer better value than larger, top-dollar metros in the area, but chronically tight inventory and strong demand continue to put upward pressure on home prices there.
“For buyers, that can mean more competition and faster price gains,” says Realtor.com senior economist Jake Krimmel. “For sellers and homeowners in these areas, it points to strong demand and potential upside next year.”
These often-overlooked markets attract buyers with stronger credit scores and higher down payments than many other metros, and they are home to older, more stable households with the median age in the 50s.
Across the top 100 US metros, Hartford, CT, ranks as the No. 1 market slated to experience the nation’s highest growth of more than 17% in 2026, according to a new report from Realtor.com.
The city is expected to see a 7.6% jump in existing-home sales and a 9.5% rise in median sale price year over year.
Rochester, NY, ranks second on the list with a projected growth of 15.5%, followed by Worcester, MA, at 15%; Toledo, OH, at roughly 12%; and Providence, RI, at 11.2%, rounding out the top five.
Other value hubs poised to experience a boost in home sales and prices include Richmond, VA, the ranking’s sole Southern entry (10.6% projected combined growth); Grand Rapids, MI (10.6%); Milwaukee (10.5%); New Haven, CT (10%); and Pittsburgh, PA (9.7%).
According to Krimmel, these ten outperforming markets owe much of their appeal to their proximity to significantly more expensive metros such as New York City, Washington, DC, and Boston, as buyers facing elevated prices and mortgage rates continue to pursue greater affordability.