Imagine buying a home and watching its value nearly double in just five years. In several East Coast markets, that’s exactly what has happened — with average gains approaching 100% since 2020.
Those surging markets appear in a new list from GOBankingRates, which highlights the best East Coast housing destinations for long-term return on investment. Drawing on Zillow’s September 2025 data, the report showcases communities where property values have far outpaced national trends.
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Across the top 20 cities, one-year increases range from 2.8% to 10.4% — a sharp contrast to the national average of just 0.28%. The five-year numbers are even more dramatic, with appreciation between 52% and 98%, compared to a national average of about 40%.
Regional representation is strong: Connecticut claims nine of the top spots, New York follows with six, and New Jersey rounds out the list with five.
Here’s a look at all 20 East Coast cities where values have been soaring.
1. Lakewood, New Jersey
- September 2025 average home value: $735,700
- 1-year home value change (%): 6.5%
- 5-year home value change (%): 97.8%
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2. New London, Connecticut
- September 2025 average home value: $329,780
- 1-year home value change (%): 10.4%
- 5-year home value change (%): 75.3%
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3. Norwich, Connecticut
- September 2025 average home value: $299,737
- 1-year home value change (%): 9%
- 5-year home value change (%): 75.1%
4. Waterbury, Connecticut
- September 2025 average home value: $291,340
- 1-year home value change (%): 2.9%
- 5-year home value change (%): 95.3%
5. Windsor, Connecticut
- September 2025 average home value: $377,269
- 1-year home value change (%): 8.3%
- 5-year home value change (%): 62.7%
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6. Utica, New York
- September 2025 average home value: $202,260
- 1-year home value change (%): 8.2%
- 5-year home value change (%): 61.5%
7. Naugatuck, Connecticut
- September 2025 average home value: $358,573
- 1-year home value change (%): 6.8%
- 5-year home value change (%): 67.1%
8. Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey
- September 2025 average home value: $422,784
- 1-year home value change (%): 6.2%
- 5-year home value change (%): 70.6%
9. Rome, New York
- September 2025 average home value: $207,042
- 1-year home value change (%): 7.8%
- 5-year home value change (%): 61.8%
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10. Plainfield, New Jersey
- September 2025 average home value: $525,180
- 1-year home value change (%): 7%
- 5-year home value change (%): 65%
11. Millville, New Jersey
- September 2025 average home value: $251,783
- 1-year home value change (%): 5.3%
- 5-year home value change (%): 71.9%
12. Liverpool, New York
- September 2025 average home value: $277,939
- 1-year home value change (%): 5.8%
- 5-year home value change (%): 67.2%
13. Cheshire, Connecticut
- September 2025 average home value: $551,220
- 1-year home value change (%): 6.7%
- 5-year home value change (%): 61%
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14. Hartford, Connecticut
- September 2025 average home value: $266,908
- 1-year home value change (%): 6.3%
- 5-year home value change (%): 62.3%
15. Syracuse, New York
- September 2025 average home value: $210,667
- 1-year home value change (%): 5.9%
- 5-year home value change (%): 64.4%
16. Torrington, Connecticut
- September 2025 average home value: $298,963
- 1-year home value change (%): 2.8%
- 5-year home value change (%): 81.4%
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17. Montclair, New Jersey
- September 2025 average home value: $1,229,806
- 1-year home value change (%): 5.9%
- 5-year home value change (%): 63.3%
18. Baldwinsville, New York
- September 2025 average home value: $321,672
- 1-year home value change (%): 6%
- 5-year home value change (%): 62.2%
19. East Northport, New York
- September 2025 average home value: $768,536
- 1-year home value change (%): 7.7%
- 5-year home value change (%): 52%
20. Meriden, Connecticut
- September 2025 average home value: $334,214
- 1-year home value change (%): 4.6%
- 5-year home value change (%): 68.2%
Editor’s note: Photos are for representational purposes only and might not reflect the exact locations listed.
Methodology For this piece, GOBankingRates analyzed only East Coast cities ranked among Zillow’s 2,500 largest housing markets. Cities are from Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island and South Carolina. To qualify, each city had to show both 1-year and 5-year home value growth above the national average. These growth rates were scored and combined, with lower scores indicating stronger performance. The analysis uses Zillow’s September 2025 data and was conducted Nov. 3, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 20 Places To Buy a Home on the East Coast If You Want It To Gain Value
