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We all daydream about moving, whether it’s to a coastline somewhere warm and sunny or a remote stretch of land far from city noise. But before we’d ever turn those fantasies into a reality, we would first consult Zillow’s annual hottest housing markets report, which forecasts where competition for homes will be fiercest in the coming year. We like to think of the list as a sneak peek at where everyone is most interested in moving. And, finally, there appears to be a new top destination for 2026.
Hartford, Connecticut, hip-checked Buffalo, New York, right out of the number one spot. Competition is high over there—this year’s report shares that the city has the largest inventory deficit of all metros around the country (63 percent below pre-pandemic levels) and more than 66 percent of homes sold above their listing price in 2025. Zillow also took into account things like how fast homes sold in an area, how often prices were cut, and job growth when nailing down the latest lineup. Here are the cities that made the cut:
The Top 10 Hottest Housing Markets
- Hartford, Connecticut
- Buffalo, New York
- New York, New York
- Providence, Rhode Island
- San Jose, California
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Los Angeles, California
- Richmond, Virginia
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Whether you’re navigating booming Hartford or thinking of putting down roots in bustling Providence, you’re going to want to have a strategy—especially if it’s your first time buying a home. Not too long ago, real estate agent Cassidy Iwersen gave us her top tips for navigating a hot market. To start? Consider homes that just have one bathroom (there’s often potential to add a second one down the road!). Iwersen also advises getting friendly with a lender before you dive into your house search, as it’ll help you determine your purchasing power and clean up any credit issues you might not be aware of before getting into a conversation with a seller. Waiving contingencies and appraisal, having the shortest option period possible, and offering to pay for the seller’s title insurance will also put you ahead of the group.
Bidding war? We don’t know her.