If you aim to buy a house in 2026, here’s some good news: Prices are moderating across the United States, and a number of cities expect to see substantial price drops in the coming months.
But while many house hunters put a big premium on affordability, that’s not the only reason you might want to live somewhere. We asked real estate agents and other experts to list some of the top housing markets heading into next year.
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Based on their input, here are six of the best places to buy a home in 2026. All housing data are from Zillow as of Jul. 31, 2025.
Boston, Massachusetts
- Average home value: $779,777
- Percentage of sales over list price: 41.5%
You’ll need more money to afford a home in Boston than you would in most of the rest of the country. But there are still plenty of good reasons to live there — including “world-class universities,” a robust biotech sector and steady job growth, according to Robert Rahmanian, co-founder and co-CEO of REAL New York.
“Boston has maintained consistent housing demand, [and] inventory constraints will likely continue to push prices upward,” he said.
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Charlotte, North Carolina
- Average home value: $401,566
- Percentage of sales over list price: 33%
Charlotte has been one of the hottest housing markets this decade and shows few signs of slowing down, even as home prices have moderated over the last year.
“This city has had a recent major growth in the job market, especially in finance,” said Brian Rudderow, real estate investor at HBR Colorado. “It has an affordable median sale price… and a high quality of life.”
Omaha, Nebraska
- Average home value: $293,272
- Percentage of sales over list price: 33.6%
One of the main advantages of Omaha is that it’s “very stable” in terms of job opportunities, according to Ben Mizes, founder of Clever Offers.
“The big corporations like Berkshire Hathaway and Union Pacific have headquarters there, so the job market is booming,” he said. “The price of living is low, and the market is always booming in poor economies.”
Phoenix, Arizona
- Average home value: $411,916
- Pct. of sales over list price: 16.5%
Phoenix is another Sun Belt city that has enjoyed robust growth and remains “a great bet for 2026,” according to Catherine Mack, investor and owner at House Buyer Network.
“In recent years the metro has seen an influx of migrants… [which] means a steady pipeline of buyers and renters,” she said. “If you get into this market now, there is still a good chance you’ll get a great resale value for your properties in the next five to 10 years. And now is the time to move, too, since median prices have significantly cooled from pandemic peaks.”
Raleigh, North Carolina
- Average home value: $443,820
- Pct. of sales over list price: 26.1%
Raleigh is the state capital, which guarantees plenty of government-related jobs. But perhaps its biggest draw is that it’s located in the Research Triangle near several major universities, which attracts both families and young professionals.
“The Research Triangle area is still a magnet for technology and life sciences,” Mizes said. “Its employment base is one of the strongest in the country, and its quality-of-life rankings are always high.”
Westport, Connecticut
- Average home value: $1.91 million
- Pct. of sales over list price: 58.2%
Ok, there’s nothing cheap about Westport. It’s one of the priciest towns in the U.S. and unless you have a couple million dollars to spend on a home, you’ll probably need to go house hunting elsewhere.
But if you do have the resources, Westport is one of the best places to buy a home in 2026, according to Cindy Raney, global luxury property specialist at Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Properties and founder of Cindy Raney & Team.
“It has fantastic schools, arts and culture, as well as proximity to New York City,” Raney said. “It is also on the coastline with great beaches, shopping [and] dining.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I’m a Real Estate Agent: 6 Places To Buy a House in 2026
