The 8 best real estate markets in the country right now

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Nashville’s housing market continues to thrive, backed by some of the fastest-rising home values in the nation. That growth combined with a solid job market and one of the lowest unemployment rates keeps demand steady. While affordability in Nashville remains a challenge — median home prices are more than five times the median income — buyers are still drawn to its economic vitality, cultural pull, and long-term promise.

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Gilbert ranked seventh thanks to its strong real estate fundamentals and balanced affordability. Home prices have appreciated more than 81%, and the city ranks among the top 15 nationwide for population growth. It also has a relatively young housing stock, with over 22% of homes built after 2010. While affordability is tighter here than in some Southwestern markets, Gilbert’s healthy job market and stability make it a safe bet.

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Frisco has become one of Texas’s fastest-growing real estate hubs, with nearly 45% of its housing built since 2010. It pairs that with top-ranked population growth and one of the nation’s strongest job markets, adding nearly 24% more positions in the past year. Even though home values have dipped slightly in Zillow’s short-term forecast, long-term appreciation of more than 77% and the city’s affordability ranking in the top 100 show why it remains a standout.

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Richardson earns its fifth-place ranking thanks to robust home price growth and a balanced economic environment. Median home values have risen nearly 80%, and affordability here is far stronger than in many other large metro suburbs. The city also boasts one of the lowest foreclosure rates nationwide.

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In the heart of the Research Triangle, Durham posted one of the strongest home appreciation rates in the study at over 82%, while still maintaining housing affordability that beats out many peer markets. Durham’s population has grown steadily, backed by a job growth rate of more than 15% and steady new construction. Combined with a low foreclosure rate and economic diversity, the city’s real estate outlook is among the brightest in the nation.

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Irvine’s housing market may be expensive, but its fundamentals are hard to ignore. Nearly one-third of its homes were built since 2010, offering buyers modern options in a region where that’s rare. The city also ranks in the top 20 nationally for maintenance and energy affordability and boasts one of the lowest mortgage delinquency rates, thanks to residents’ strong median credit scores. Job growth has also remained healthy at more than 12%, which helps offset high purchase prices.

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Cary is one of most attractive mid-sized markets, thanks to low costs and high stability. Home values are forecast to rise modestly, but the city’s affordability is a major draw: Cary ranks among the top five nationally for utility and maintenance costs. It also posts one of the lowest foreclosure rates in the country and has the lowest unemployment rate among all 300 cities studied

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McKinney tops the list as the healthiest real estate market in the country. Nearly 38% of its homes were built in the past decade, and it has the highest building-permit activity of all cities in the study. While home values are expected to dip slightly in the near term, appreciation has soared more than 72% over the long run, and the city still ranks among the more affordable large markets, with housing costs at 365% of median income.