Economists expect U.S. home prices to remain flat in 2026, but as usually happens with real estate, many local markets are bucking the national trend. GOBankingRates talked to real estate experts throughout the U.S. to learn which cities could see price increases this year.
Montclair, New Jersey
Long one of New Jersey’s top towns, Montclair attracts well-heeled renters leaving Manhattan and Brooklyn, according to Lukasz Kukwa, a N.J. Realtor on The Align Team, brokered by eXp Realty.
While cooling at the high end drove median prices down to $1.02 million last year, the price per square foot grew nearly 24%, indicating demand for less-expensive homes.
“Montclair remains a top choice for buyers and sellers, particularly in high-demand segments like mid-size homes, and [it] consistently holds long-term value,” he noted.
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Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chris Garrett, Tennessee REALTORS 2026 president, named Chattanooga as a city where prices are on the rise.
Garrett based his prediction on Realtor.com’s model-based forecast that analyzes relative affordability, construction trends, economic adjustments and inventory.
Phoenix, Arizona
Home prices in Phoenix proper nearly stalled last year, but John Gluch, Realtor and real estate coach for the Gluch Group, brokered by eXp Realty, named the city as the value play for 2026.
“Data from the start of the year shows that while active listings are up 10.6%, homes under contract have also risen by 5.1%, largely driven by mortgage rates stabilizing in the low-6% range,” Gluch said.
Gluch predicts a late-year price surge of 3% to 4%, outperforming initial flat projections.
Greater Fort Worth, Texas
Shawn Buck, 2026 president of the Greater Fort Worth Association of REALTORs, expects to see growth throughout the Fort Worth region. He noted that the city is one of the nation’s fastest-growing metros, thanks to an influx of corporate headquarters and Hollywood studios.
“Overall, the region is seeing stabilization in the housing market, the first sign of a settlement since the pandemic,” Buck said. Three suburbs where Buck specifically expects growth are Granbury, Flower Mound and Arlington.
Miami, Florida
Jeff Lichtenstein, CEO and broker at Echo Fine Properties in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, is betting on Miami. Sales activity surged in November 2025 after a major slump. In addition, special assessments for mandatory reserves and repairs are finished.
“With uncertainty a thing of the past, it’s time to buy, buy, buy,” Lichtenstein said.
Rochester, Spokane and Birmingham
Ben Mizes, licensed real estate agent and co-founder of Clever Offers, a service powered by Clever Real Estate that helps sellers find offers on their homes, named three cities where he expects price growth.
- Rochester, New York: “Rochester has a strong demand for affordable housing coupled with less of a housing supply,” Mizes said.
- Spokane, Washington: After cooling post-pandemic, Spokane is again on the rise. Mizes said the city is ideal for millennials being priced out of the market.
- Birmingham, Alabama: “New construction is lagging, and the market is active, resulting in positive short-term projections,” Mizes said.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 8 Cities Where Home Values Are Expected To Rise Over 2026
