Fastcompany iconFastcompanySep 16, 2026 ~1 min source read

These are the 10 best U.S. cities for homebuyers right now

While it's tempting to identify culprits that help explain the dismal state of the housing market —Boomers, say, or institutional investors—some metro areas are quietly crafting policies that ensure housing remains affordable. The remaining eight metro areas that scored an "A" were likewise located in the Midwest and South, reflecting what's now become a clear geographic split in the nation's housing market.

These are the 10 best U.S. cities for homebuyers right now

Share this story

Send the public story page.

Useful takeaways from this story.

While it's tempting to identify culprits that help explain the dismal state of the housing market —Boomers, say, or institutional investors—some metro areas are quietly crafting policies that ensure housing...

The remaining eight metro areas that scored an "A" were likewise located in the Midwest and South, reflecting what's now become a clear geographic split in the nation's housing market.

More homebuilding is key to improving affordability in a lasting way, according to Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com.

Building the complete brief

The page is ready to read now. The fuller skim-friendly version will appear here automatically.

The useful part

While it's tempting to identify culprits that help explain the dismal state of the housing market —Boomers, say, or institutional investors—some metro areas are quietly crafting policies that ensure housing remains affordable. The remaining eight metro areas that scored an "A" were likewise located in the Midwest and South, reflecting what's now become a clear geographic split in the nation's housing market. More homebuilding is key to improving affordability in a lasting way, according to Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com.

How it works

  • "The metros at the top of these rankings show that buyers benefit most when communities pair homes that are attainable for today's local earners with enough new construction to support tomorrow's demand."...

Keep reading in the app

Open the app view to save this story, compare related coverage, and continue from the same source.

Open in app