You may be surprised to learn which Southern cities real estate industry professionals believe are primed for growth and worth the investment in the next five years.
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GOBankingRates spoke to four real estate professionals with expertise in the Southern markets about the top five high-growth cities to watch if you want to buy a home. We also included each city’s average home value (via Zillow) to give readers a better understanding of what homes in these areas are worth.
Miami
- Average home value: $588,264
Who wouldn’t want to live in Miami? From year-round warm weather to no state income tax, the Florida hotspot is just as popular now as it has ever been with retirees and people of all ages.
Investing in Miami real estate pays off for luxury buyers. Kristi Bachan, president of Inhabit Luxury in Miami, told GOBankingRates this market is resilient and rewarding — especially if you’re looking to buy a waterfront property.
“Waterfront properties hold long-term value due to limited supply and increasing demand,” Bachan said. “The market benefits from both domestic and international interest, making it dynamic and globally competitive.”
Another big win in Miami’s corner is how the city is steadily positioning itself as an economic hub, thanks to growth in tech, finance and hospitality sectors. Bachan said this means strong appreciation potential and rental income opportunities for investors, especially in high-demand areas such as Miami Beach and Coconut Grove.
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Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Average home value: $324,722
Ready for retirement? Consider making a move to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. According to U.S. News & World Report, the city has become the fastest-growing U.S. metro for seniors. More than a quarter of the 413,000 metro Myrtle Beach residents are senior citizens.
Ben Lastra, a Compass agent from the Andy Bovender team in South Carolina, recommended several popular, up-and-coming South Carolina cities to GOBankingRates. Myrtle Beach was one of his top recommendations, with Lastra describing the city as having lots of great amenities, like resorts and golf courses, while maintaining an affordable cost of living.
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Charlotte, North Carolina
- Average home value: $404,626
Joseph S. Pappalardo, Jr., president of Rampart/Wurth Holding Inc., recommended Charlotte to GOBankingRates on account of the metro’s quickly growing tech sector, strong rental market and increasing home appreciation.
One of Charlotte’s major drivers, according to Pappalardo, is the city’s high quality of life coupled with low cost of doing business. As of 2025, EIU’s Global Liveability Index report of the best cities to live in the world ranked Charlotte among the 10 best U.S. cities to live in.
Birmingham, Alabama
- Average home value: $136,269
Texas-based real estate and probate attorney Alisha Melvin, Esq., has been closely watching and advising her clients to seriously consider buying homes in two Southern cities. The first city, Birmingham, is one of the South’s best-kept secrets, according to Melvin.
“With revitalized historic districts, lower price per square foot and a growing medical and tech hub, buyers are getting in early in a market poised for major appreciation,” she said. “You can still buy equity, not just square footage.”
Dallas
- Average home value: $315,056
Melvin also recommends purchasing a home in Dallas, which she refers to as a “powerhouse” for buyers looking for long-term appreciation. Compared to coastal metros, Melvin said Dallas offers potential buyers a rare combination of affordability, a strong job market and pro-growth governance.
“From commercial corridors in South Dallas to luxury builds in Frisco, the diversity of product and price points gives first-time buyers and investors plenty of runway,” she said. “Buyers are prioritizing access to infrastructure, tech talent and strong school districts, which Dallas consistently delivers.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Southern Cities Real Estate Agents Say Could Be Booming in the Next 5 Years
