This city is the No. 1 place to buy a home if you want it to increase in value — and it's not in California or New York (2024)

In most places, the value of U.S. homes has grown steadily over the last few decades. However, some cities have fared far better than others — especially Austin, Texas.

Out of the 400 cities ranked by average home price growth since 1998, Austin takes the top spot, according to a recent SmartAsset study. Across all metro areas, home values increased an average of 154% from the first quarter of 1998 through the fourth quarter of 2022.

In Austin, however, home values have soared 354% over the past 25 years. It is one of only eight cities where home values increased by 300% or more in that time.

The rest of the top 15 markets ranked by price growth are mostly large coastal cities in California and Florida.

A thriving tech hub, Austin was a migration hotspot during the height of pandemic, but home values in the city had already been steadily climbing for over a decade.

It's followed by Bend, Oregon, a small mountain city known for its access to outdoor activities like skiing and hiking. The city's growing population has exacerbated a preexisting shortage of homes, which has pushed home prices higher.

Boise, Idaho, was another popular migration destination during the height of the pandemic, but like Austin, prices were already rising for years — well before it became known as a "Zoomtown." While home prices in this market recently dipped, they are still up 306% over 25 years.

Overall, California dominated the rankings, with eight out of the top 15 cities for home-price growth. Considering that the state has the largest shortage of homes in the country, it's not surprising that unmet demand has driven up prices for existing properties, especially in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Home prices in Florida have also grown steadily over the years, with Miami and Naples making the top 15 rankings for price growth.

Not all homes have been cash cows, however, especially in Rust Belt states like Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. In some cities, home values only increased by an average 80% or less since 1998.

Montgomery, Alabama, ranked last on the list, with home values growing by an average of about 60%.

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This city is the No. 1 place to buy a home if you want it to increase in value — and it's not in California or New York (1)

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This city is the No. 1 place to buy a home if you want it to increase in value — and it's not in California or New York (2024)

FAQs

This city is the No. 1 place to buy a home if you want it to increase in value — and it's not in California or New York? ›

1 place to buy a home if you want it to increase in value — and it's not in California or New York. In most places, the value of U.S. homes has grown steadily over the last few decades. However, some cities have fared far better than others — especially Austin, Texas.

Which is the best city to buy house? ›

Strong demand: Top cities in India, such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore, have a high demand for property due to their population growth and economic development. Higher rental yields: Property in top cities in India tends to command higher rental yields than in smaller cities or rural areas.

What place in the US has the best houses? ›

Without further ado, here are the ten best places to buy a house in the U.S. in 2022 or 2023.
  • Tampa, Florida. Tampa, Florida, makes the top of our list for several reasons. ...
  • Atlanta, Georgia. ...
  • Jacksonville, Florida. ...
  • Austin, Texas. ...
  • Raleigh, North Carolina. ...
  • Charlotte, North Carolina. ...
  • San Antonio, Texas. ...
  • Dallas, Texas.

Which state has the best housing market for buyers? ›

Real Estate Housing Market Statistics 2023
Overall RankingStateHousehold Income1
1Texas21
2California6
3New York14
4New Jersey2
37 more rows
Feb 13, 2023

Is it a good time to buy a house in California? ›

It's always a good time to buy a house in California, according to the Oldhams. California homes have steadily appreciated over time. Historical data shows the average rate of appreciation in California came in at 6.77% annually over a 39-year period.

Which city has the highest property prices? ›

1. Hong Kong. Hong Kong, China.

Which city has the highest housing prices in the US? ›

The most expensive city in the U.S. in terms of housing costs is San Jose, California. It combined the highest monthly housing costs in our study with the second-highest home values, but San Francisco wasn't far behind.

What is the number 1 place to live in the US? ›

Topping the 2023-24 list: Green Bay, Wisconsin. The magazine called Green Bay "The perfect mix of big-city amenities complemented with a Midwestern, small-town feel."

Where is the hottest housing market in the US? ›

Markets in Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina are the strongest for sellers. Home values are decreasing across much of the U.S., but there has been little change in the Southeast. Other factors important to homeowners are appreciation, job growth, local population growth and unemployment rates.

What state sells houses the fastest? ›

California leads the nation for fastest home sales, with the average property snapped up in just 52 days. Compare that to Vermont, the slowest of all 50 states, where it takes nearly half a year — 161 days on average — just to lock down a buyer.

What state has the cheapest housing cost? ›

1. Mississippi. Coming in as the cheapest state to live in in the United States is Mississippi with a cost of living index score of 83.3. It also has the lowest average housing costs in the nation at 33.7% below the national average.

Where is the fastest growing housing market in the US? ›

The Fastest-Growing Markets and Their Year-Over-Year Growth Rates:
  • Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and North Carolina: 16.2%
  • Oshkosh-Neenah, Wisconsin: 16%
  • Winston-Salem, North Carolina: 15.7%
  • El Paso, Texas: 15.2%
  • Punta Gorda, Florida: 15.2%
  • Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida: 14.5%
Feb 16, 2023

Will 2023 be a good year to buy a house in California? ›

They expect home prices to improve in Q3 & Q4 this year, over in 2023 they expect the medium home will delince 5.6% compared to 2022, to $776,600 in 2023 ($822,300 in 2022). They had predicted a median 2023 price of $758,600 forecast last October.

What month are houses cheapest? ›

Winter is usually the cheapest time of year to purchase a home. Sellers are often motivated, which automatically translates into an advantage to you. Most people suspend their listings from around Thanksgiving to the New Year because they assume buyers are scarce.

Will house prices go down in 2023 usa? ›

Although home prices are expected to improve in the second half of the year, the California median home price is projected to decrease by 5.6 percent to $776,600 in 2023, down from the median price of $822,300 recorded in 2022.

Which state has the highest price of living? ›

Hawaii is the state with the highest cost of living in the US, with a cost of living index of 184. This is due to its isolated location and the high demand for housing, food, and energy.

What state sells the most expensive houses? ›

Top 10 Most Expensive States to Buy a House in the US
  • Hawaii. Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches, warm climate, and breathtaking scenery. ...
  • 2. California. ...
  • District of Columbia. ...
  • Washington. ...
  • Massachusetts. ...
  • Colorado. ...
  • Utah. ...
  • Oregon.
Apr 13, 2023

What state has the most expensive housing? ›

Hawaii. Hawaii is truly a paradise, but it is also the most expensive state in America to live in. The cost of living in Hawaii overall is 86% higher than the national average, and the cost of housing in Hawaii is a jaw-dropping 207% above the national average.

Which US city has the lowest cost of living? ›

In its report, Niche also ranked the cheapest places to live in the U.S. At the top of the list this year is Brownsville, Texas. Brownsville has been steadily rising in Niche's Lowest Cost of Living ranking over the past few years, placing number six in 2021, number three in 2022 and finally, number one in 2023.

Which city has the most unaffordable housing? ›

All the cities on this graphic are classified as severely unaffordable⁠—and, for the 12th year in a row, Hong Kong takes the top spot as the world's most unaffordable housing market, with a score of 23.2.

Where is most affordable housing in US? ›

Here's a look at the most affordable major cities in the country for housing.
  1. Detroit, Michigan. Median monthly housing cost: $755.
  2. El Paso, Texas. Median monthly housing cost: $939. ...
  3. Memphis, Tennessee. ...
  4. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ...
  5. Tucson, Arizona.
  6. Indianapolis, Indiana.
  7. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  8. Louisville, Kentucky.
Jan 12, 2023

What is America's #1 city? ›

New York is the most populated city in the United States. Three cities in California made the top 10 populated cities: Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose. Texas made the list with three cities: Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. Chicago, Phoenix, and Philadelphia also ranked among the 10 most populated U.S. cities.

What is the safest place to live in the United States? ›

Frisco, Texas

Frisco, Texas, part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex has been ranked the number 1 safest city to live in the U.S. It boasts the fourth-lowest violent crime rate and the sixth-lowest property crime rate.

Where is the cheapest nicest place to live? ›

Most Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023-2024
  • Hickory, NC.
  • Youngstown, OH.
  • Huntington, WV & Ashland, KY-OH.
  • Fort Wayne, IN.
  • Beaumont, TX.
  • Peoria, IL.

Where is real estate booming in USA? ›

Key Findings: The hottest housing markets include those markets in North Carolina, Colorado and Texas that were also popular during the pandemic, including Raleigh and Durham, Denver and Austin.

What city has the hottest housing market? ›

Best Real Estate Markets In The U.S.
  1. Austin, Texas (Metro Area) Median listing price: $620,000. ...
  2. Tampa, Florida. Median listing price: $388,800. ...
  3. Raleigh, North Carolina. Median listing price: $389,000. ...
  4. Nashville, Tennessee (Metro Area) ...
  5. Charlotte, North Carolina. ...
  6. San Antonio, Texas. ...
  7. Phoenix, Arizona. ...
  8. Jacksonville, Florida.
May 1, 2023

Where is biggest housing shortage in US? ›

The 10 Markets With the Greatest Need for New Housing
RankMarketNew Units Needed/Year
1New York City10,000
2Dallas – Fort Worth19,000
3Houston15,000
4Los Angeles6,000
6 more rows
Feb 24, 2023

What month sells the most houses? ›

Sellers can net thousands of dollars more if they sell during the peak months of May, June and July versus the two slowest months of the year, October and December, according to a 2022 report by ATTOM Data Solutions.

What style of house sells the best? ›

Colonial. Colonial-style homes have the highest resale factor when all other elements are equal.

What month do homes sell the fastest? ›

  • Nationally, the best time to sell a house is March if you're trying to sell quickly, while the best time to maximize profit is July. ...
  • Historically, May was the best month to sell a house, but that changed to March in recent years. ...
  • If you're hoping to sell for more than the asking price, aim for the week of April 22.

What state has the second lowest cost of living? ›

The cheapest states to live in are Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, Iowa, Indiana, West Virginia, and Tennessee. Mississippi is the cheapest state to live in in the US, with a cost of living index of 85. The second cheapest state to live in is Oklahoma, with a cost of living index of 85.8.

What is the most expensive state to live in 2023? ›

Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in, with a cost of living index of 184. Massachusetts is ranked second, with a cost of living index of 149.7, followed by California at 137.6, and New York at 134.5.

What state has the cheapest houses 2023? ›

Mississippi

Mississippi, “The Magnolia State,” is the birthplace of Elvis Presley and the delta blues. It's also the cheapest state to buy a house in 2023. As of 2020, the total state population was 2,961,279, making it the 32nd most populated state. The most populated city is Jackson, with 153,701 residents.

Where is the hottest real estate market in the world? ›

Back in 2020, Hong Kong was crowned the “world's most expensive real-estate market” by CBRE Global Living, calculating the average property prices to be in the range of $1.25 million.

Where is the slowest real estate market? ›

The Bay Area has the worst performing housing market in the nation, according to a new report.

Will 2023 be a good time to buy a house? ›

Homebuyer.com data analysis indicates that, for first-time home buyers, June 2023 is a good time to buy a house relative to later in the year. This article provides an unbiased look at current mortgage rates, housing market conditions, and market sentiment.

Why buying real estate in 2023 could be a good idea? ›

Despite what some may think, 2023 is still a good year to invest in real estate, thanks to advantages like long-term appreciation, steady rental income, and the opportunity to hedge against inflation. Mortgage rates are expected to decline, but the housing market is likely to remain competitive due to low supply.

Will mortgage rates go down in 2024? ›

Chief Economist at First American Financial Corp, Mark Fleming, says an interest rate drop may not happen for several months. "Possibly in 2024, but it will depend on the Fed's decisions about raising rates in the second half of the year," says Fleming.

Will 2024 be a good time to buy a house? ›

With mortgage rates declining faster than expected, home prices are likely to remain mostly flat throughout 2024. This will be good news for buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines for a good time to enter the market.

Is 4 months enough time to buy a house? ›

It typically takes anywhere from four weeks at the low end to six months (or more) to shop for and close on a house. But it can be quicker if you make a strong offer right away in a fast-moving market or slower if you have a hard time finding just the right place or keep getting outbid.

How many months in advance should you look to buy a house? ›

When to Start Looking for a House. As a general guideline, it's advised to start house hunting five to six months before you want to move in. This might seem like a long time, but there's plenty to do. Now, remember, depending on various factors, including the state of the market's, the process may take longer.

What is the best date to close on a house? ›

If you need to be occupying your home by a certain date to save on rent, it's a much better deal to close at the end of the previous month (for example, January 30) instead of the beginning of the current month (February 1).

Will US house prices drop? ›

Inflation concerns, slowing job gains and wage growth, the potential for a recession, and elevated interest rates are causing some buyers to be cautious. The market is likely to experience a decline in annual home price growth during the spring and early summer months, with a potential rebound later in 2023.

What is the average US home price in 2023? ›

Average home price in the United States: $436,800

The median home sales price is $436,800 as of the first quarter of 2023. That's a 32% increase from 2020, when the median was $329,000.

Which are the happiest cities in the world to buy a house? ›

Barcelona in Spain and Florence in Italy were the happiest places to buy property in the world, the survey said. Barcelona's homebuyer photos scored an average happiness score of 95.4 out of a possible 100, which is a whopping 15.6 percent over the global average happiness level of homebuyers, it said.

What place has the nicest houses? ›

From Italy to Colombia and everywhere in-between, here are ten cities with some of the world's most picturesque homes.
  • Tuscany, Italy. ...
  • Ghent, Belgium. ...
  • Visby, Sweden. ...
  • Mykonos, Greece. ...
  • London, England. ...
  • San Francisco, USA. ...
  • Cartenga, Colombia. ...
  • Colmar, France.

Which city has the highest rental yield? ›

City-Wise Rental Income Trends
CitiesRental Yield (in %) in 2019Rental Yield (in %) in 2022
Bangalore3.63.9
Mumbai3.53.8
Navi Mumbai2.83.2
Thane2.72.9
5 more rows
Feb 17, 2023

Where are the nicest houses? ›

Here's the top 10:
  • Los Angeles.
  • California.
  • Seattle.
  • New York.
  • Boston.
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Miami.
  • Denver.
Nov 4, 2019

What is the #1 happiest place to live? ›

1. Finland: For the sixth year in a row, Finland is the world's happiest country, according to the World Happiness Report. Aleksanterinkatu (Aleksi Street) in Helsinki is pictured.

Which US city is ranked the happiest city to live? ›

Cities across the United States vary greatly in their environment, income, citizens' overall well-being and community. For 2023, California dominated the list of the happiest cities in America, while Fremont, California, topped the list for the second year in a row.

What state has the happiest residents? ›

Massachusetts came in as the happiest state. Illinois, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York round out the top 5. The least happy states are Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas -- and the state with the most unhappy residents is West Virginia, according to the study.

Who owns the nicest house in the US? ›

Famous and Famously Expensive

The Chartwell Estate, located in Beverly Hills, California, is owned by the late head of Univision, Jerry Perenchi. Built in 1933, the French neoclassical home encompasses 25,000 square feet of land. It is situated on a 10-acre expanse of manicured lawns and gardens.

What state has the most expensive houses? ›

1. Hawaii. Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches, warm climate, and breathtaking scenery. However, it is also the most expensive state to buy a house, with a Zillow Home Value Index of $834,582.

Which states are most favorable to landlords? ›

Top 12 Landlord-Friendly States in the U.S. in 2023
  1. Texas. With high demand for rental properties, cities that are drawing in younger populations, and favorable rental property laws, Texas is considered among the best states for real estate investing. ...
  2. Alabama. ...
  3. Indiana. ...
  4. Colorado. ...
  5. Florida. ...
  6. Arizona. ...
  7. North Carolina. ...
  8. Illinois.
Feb 3, 2023

What cities have the highest rent increases? ›

Half of America's most expensive cities for apartments are in California: study
RankMetropolitan Statistical AreaChange Since February 2022
1New York, NY+ 12.8%
2San Francisco, CA+ 4.2%
3Boston, MA+ 2.0%
4San Jose, CA+ 7.4%
6 more rows
Mar 14, 2023

Which property gives highest rent? ›

Which Cities offer Maximum Rental in India?
  • Tardeo (Mumbai) ...
  • Green Park (New Delhi) ...
  • Greater Kailash (New Delhi) ...
  • Cuffe Parade (Mumbai) ...
  • Golf Links (New Delhi) ...
  • Jor Bagh (New Delhi) ...
  • Hauz Khas (New Delhi) ...
  • Shanti Niketan (New Delhi)
Mar 10, 2022

What is the most expensive real estate in California? ›

a 30,000-square-foot home in the prime area of Malibu ... and they paid a King's ransom. Real estate sources tell TMZ ... the couple paid $200 million for the property, making it the most expensive home ever sold in the entire state of California ... eclipsing the previous record of $177 million.

Which state has the best luxury homes? ›

Read on to see some of the best luxury real estate locations we've identified as solid investments and great places to call home, too:
  1. Manhattan, New York. ...
  2. Beverly Hills, California. ...
  3. East Hampton, New York. ...
  4. Palm Beach, Florida. ...
  5. Washington, D.C. ...
  6. Miami, Florida.
Jun 11, 2021

Who owns the biggest house in the world? ›

Who is the owner of the biggest house in the world ? Istana Nurul Iman Palace, the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is the largest house in the world, spread over 2.15 million square feet.

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