Although 2026 is shaping up to be a more balanced real estate market than in past years, homebuyers will still be seeking out areas that provide the best value — largely concentrated in the Northeast and Midwest, according to a new report from Realtor.com. The homebuying and renting platform ranked the 100 largest metros by expected sales and price gains for 2026, and identified the top 10.
“These places share several common threads,” the analysis states. “They offer better value than nearby high-cost hubs, a facet that tends to draw buyers in. However, chronic inventory shortages and steady demand combine to push prices up.”
Here are Realtor.com’s predictions for the top housing markets of 2026.
1. Hartford, Connecticut
- Region: Northeast
- Median list price (November 2025): $429,000
- 2026 home sale counts year over year: 7.6%
- 2026 median sale price year over year: 9.5%
- 2026 combined growth: 17.1%
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2. Rochester, New York
- Region: Northeast
- Median list price (November 2025): $256,900
- 2026 home sale counts year over year: 5.3%
- 2026 median sale price year over year: 10.3%
- 2026 combined growth: 15.5%
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3. Worcester, Massachusetts
- Region: Northeast
- Median list price (November 2025): $525,000
- 2026 home sale counts year over year: 12.6%
- 2026 median sale price year over year: 2.4%
- 2026 combined growth: 15%
4. Toledo, Ohio
- Region: Midwest
- Median list price (November 2025): $199,900
- 2026 home sale counts year over year: -1.2%
- 2026 median sale price year over year: 13.1%
- 2026 combined growth: 11.9%
5. Providence, Rhode Island
- Region: Northeast
- Median list price (November 2025): $550,000
- 2026 home sale counts year over year: 7.1%
- 2026 median sale price year over year: 4.1%
- 2026 combined growth: 11.2%
6. Richmond, Virginia
- Region: South
- Median list price (November 2025): $426,000
- 2026 home sale counts year over year: 3.6%
- 2026 median sale price year over year: 6.9%
- 2026 combined growth: 10.6%
7. Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Region: Midwest
- Median list price (November 2025): $389,900
- 2026 home sale counts year over year: 6.9%
- 2026 median sale price year over year: 3.7%
- 2026 combined growth: 10.6%
8. Milwaukee
- Region: Midwest
- Median list price (November 2025): $379,000
- 2026 home sale counts year over year: 3.5%
- 2026 median sale price year over year: 7%
- 2026 combined growth: 10.5%
9. New Haven, Connecticut
- Region: Northeast
- Median list price (November 2025): $439,000
- 2026 home sale counts year over year: 2.3%
- 2026 median sale price year over year: 7.7%
- 2026 combined growth: 10%
10. Pittsburgh
- Region: Northeast
- Median list price (November 2025): $245,000
- 2026 home sale counts year over year: 4%
- 2026 median sale price year over year: 5.7%
- 2026 combined growth: 9.7%
Editor’s note: Data was sourced from Realtor.com and is accurate as of Dec. 10, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Top 10 US Cities Poised for Real Estate Growth in 2026
