Thinking about buying a house in 2024? Experts predict that demand will continue to outpace the supply of homes, which could result in a national housing market that favors sellers over buyers. However, with home prices and mortgage rates expected to drop after years of increase, buyers should still be able to find deals within their budgets. Whether you’re looking to buy your first house or have been waiting for the right moment to enter the real estate market, here are the 11 best cities for real estate in 2024!
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Buffalo, NY
- Charlotte, NC
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- Jacksonville, FL
- Phoenix, AZ
- Raleigh, NC
- Tampa, FL
Atlanta, GA
- Population: 497,642
- Median Listing Price: $410,000
- Median Price/Sq Ft: $263
- Median Days on Market: 60 days
Despite being a bit more expensive than surrounding areas, Atlanta is considered a great place to live—especially for singles. The Atlanta housing market is squarely balanced, an advantage over the national seller’s market trend. While the Atlanta real estate market is facing issues with a lack of inventory, declining construction costs for builders indicate that some of the demand could be met with new home construction. When you’re looking at homes for sale in Atlanta, expect to see some Colonial and Craftsman styles mixed in with bungalows and modern new construction. In addition to the Atlanta housing market, the capital of Georgia is an energetic hot spot for sports, food, and the arts!
Austin, TX
- Population: 965,872
- Median Listing Price: $630,000
- Median Price/Sq Ft: $372
- Median Days on Market: 80 days
Austin is one of the best big cities to live in the U.S.—the capital of Texas is also one of the best places to live in the South! Attracting new residents every year with its live music experiences, bustling tech industry, and growing culinary scene, 2023 positioned the Austin housing market squarely as a buyer’s market. Despite the national market slowing down in recent years, the Austin real estate market is still going strong, with homes selling close to listing price–additionally, home prices decreased 9.2% over the past year and are expected to continue trending that way. Homebuyers can find a wide range of housing options on the market throughout the Austin area—from traditional bungalows and Mid-Century Modern ranches, to custom new construction with Spanish or Mediterranean influences.
Buffalo, NY
- Population: 255,805
- Median Listing Price: $174,900
- Median Price/Sq Ft: $124
- Median Days on Market: 57 days
Buffalo may be quite a snowy city, but the affordable cost of living makes it one of the best cities for real estate. As one of the least expensive cities in one of the most expensive states, you’ll find the Buffalo housing market to be healthy and somewhat competitive. Despite being a seller’s market, if the Buffalo real estate market follows the national predictions that home prices and mortgage rates will drop, buyers will still be able to find some good deals. Buffalo homes for sale often come in Ranch, Mid-Century Modern, and Modern styles. You can also find some Queen Anne, Neoclassical, Colonial Revival, and Craftsman-style homes!
Charlotte, NC
- Population: 873,570
- Median Listing Price: $419,900
- Median Price/Sq Ft: $244
- Median Days on Market: 54 days
Not only is Charlotte one of the best places to live in the U.S., it’s also one of the best places to live on the east coast as well as the southeast U.S.! A financial hub with a strong healthcare sector, this North Carolina city is a great choice for singles and young professionals—especially considering the low median age of 34. The Charlotte housing market is predicted to be among the hottest in the country in 2024, and the increase in Charlotte home prices reflects that demand. While Queen City is a seller’s market at the moment, predictions of stabilization could lead to more inventory and affordability for buyers in 2024. If you’re searching for homes for sale in Charlotte, you’ll most often find Colonial styles, ranches, and bungalows.
Colorado Springs, CO
- Population: 471,686
- Median Listing Price: $450,000
- Median Price/Sq Ft: $218
- Median Days on Market: 60 days
Want to live in Colorado with significantly lower housing costs than cities like Boulder or Denver? Try Colorado Springs! This Colorado city was named the second most desirable place to live in 2023-2024, winning a high place on the list for the sixth year in a row for its great outdoor recreation opportunities and reasonable cost of living. The Colorado Springs real estate market is balanced, and while Colorado Springs home values are projected to decrease by 0.3%-1.4% in 2024, the market is still somewhat competitive and ultimately, affordable for the area. If you’re planning to move to this Colorado city, you’ll find plenty of different home styles like Craftsman, Colonial, Colorado Farm House, American Foursquare, and Contemporary.
Columbus, OH
- Population: 889,079
- Median Listing Price: $275,000
- Median Price/Sq Ft: $186
- Median Days on Market: 47 days
Recognized in the past as one of the most affordable U.S. cities to live in and one of the best places to live in the Midwest, Columbus is still a hot spot that offers tons of jobs, big-city amenities, and a growing real estate market. With current housing prices 23% lower than the national average, Columbus’ real estate is affordable for a major U.S. city—which might be why 77% of Columbus homebuyers searched for housing to stay in the area. Whether you’re looking to buy your first house, spread out in a family home, or downsize to budget-friendly home for retirement, the Columbus housing market has styles ranging from modern farmhouses to new construction that won’t break the bank!
Indianapolis, IN
- Population: 869,387
- Median Listing Price: $250,000
- Median Price/Sq Ft: $140
- Median Days on Market: 64 days
Indianapolis is another great place to buy real estate in 2024 while also being an extremely desirable place to live! Home prices in Indianapolis are 29% lower than the U.S. average, making it an affordable option for American homebuyers. The housing market in this Midwestern city is projected to remain one of the hottest in the country this year, and the Indianapolis months’ supply of homes has increased 37.5% over the past year—a change that positions the city in a balanced real estate market for buyers and sellers. Thanks to homebuying programs funded by the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority, the Indianapolis housing market is primed for first-time homebuyers in particular.
Jacksonville, FL
- Population: 902,488
- Median Listing Price: $308,900
- Median Price/Sq Ft: $192
- Median Days on Market: 60 days
In addition to being the largest city in Florida, Jacksonville is also one of the most affordable cities and best cities for real estate this year. Home to the largest urban park system in the country, this Florida city experiences warm temperatures year-round, making it a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts. The Jacksonville housing market is balanced between buyers and sellers, possibly due in part to a recent 22.5% increase in the Months’ Supply of Inventory (MSI). Most prospective homebuyers are moving to Jacksonville from other large metro areas like Miami, New York City, and Washington, DC. Jax boasts a strong and diverse economy for both seasoned and young professionals, with a leading military and defense industry, as well as multiple options at Fortune 500 companies and growing job pools in finance, technology, and healthcare. When you’re searching for homes for sale in Jacksonville, you’ll find American Foursquare, Ranch, Craftsman, and Bungalow styles.
Phoenix, AZ
Photo via @thejennnewman
- Population: 1,555,324
- Median Listing Price: $449,900
- Median Price/Sq Ft: $277
- Median Days on Market: 56 days
The thriving Southwestern city of Phoenix has something to offer people of all lifestyles, from singles and young professionals to retirees and more! Aside from its year-round warm weather and abundant arts and culture, the Phoenix real estate market is another major draw for those thinking of moving to this Arizona city. While the housing market is cooling, it still remains one of the hottest in the U.S. and has begun to favor buyers more than sellers! Available homes in Phoenix come in diverse styles, from Ranch to Pueblo Revival, and more.
Raleigh, NC
Photo via @mckeehomesnc
- Population: 469,698
- Median Listing Price: $475,000
- Median Price/Sq Ft: $245
- Median Days on Market: 60 days
Thanks to its research and education opportunities, up-and-coming Raleigh frequently ranks as one of the best mid-sized U.S. cities to live. Universities like North Carolina State University, Duke University, and The University of North Carolina are major employers, making Raleigh a top city for singles and young professionals looking to work or continue their education. The Raleigh housing market may skew towards sellers, but predictions of increasing home inventory due to stabilizing interest rates can help balance the market between buyers and sellers. The predicted surge in home inventory for the North Carolina housing market as a whole also supports this, helping buyers who have been waiting for more inventory in the capital of North Carolina.
Tampa, FL
Photo via @remaxcollective
- Population: 395,912
- Median Listing Price: $459,900
- Median Price/Sq Ft: $294
- Median Days on Market: 60 days
The Tampa–St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro has become a popular housing market for homebuyers who want to live in Florida without the high price tags of West Palm Beach and Miami. Beyond its housing market, Tampa is also known for its beautiful beaches and year-round warm weather. Over the years, Tampa’s population growth has been outpacing the national average—and 70% of this growth is the result of migration rather than new births. This Florida city is part of the Sun Belt, which will continue to give it an edge in the 2024 real estate world, as continually increasing home values indicate a healthy housing market. If you’re looking for Mediterranean or cozy beach bungalows with useful home remodels for the area, the Tampa real estate market is worth checking out!
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Population statistics from AreaVibes. Housing statistics from Realtor.com.
