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Home buyers are predicted to seek out smaller markets in the Northeast and Midwest in 2026

A house and a 'sold' sign. FILE PHOTO / Laurie Schreiber The greater Portland metro region is one of the markets in the northeast predicted to be attactive to home buyers in 2026.
By Tina Fischer

Realtor.com's annual predictions for the top housing markets for 2026 project the strongest growth in home sales and prices to be in the Northeast and Midwest. 

The Portland-South Portland metro market ranks No. 12 out of 100 markets surveyed.

The new data represents a shift from a year ago when the top metro markets were in the south and west.

The rankings are based on affordability, lower mortgage rate lock-in and stronger buyer profiles.

The Austin, Texas-based residential real estate organization says amid expectations for cooling national price growth and modest mortgage rate relief, "refuge markets" are attracting shoppers from larger, high-cost metros seeking relative affordability, more value and greater market stability. 

The median list price across the top 10 markets is $384,000, below the national median of $415,000, making these metros attractive to both first-time buyers and those relocating from higher cost areas.

The top 10 markets for 2026 are Hartford, Conn.; Rochester, N.Y.: Toledo, Ohio; Providence-Warwick, R.I.-(including part of Massachusetts); Richmond, Va.; Grand Rapids-Wyoming, Mich.; Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, Wisc.; New Haven-Milford, Conn.; and Pittsburgh. 

"We expect a more balanced housing market in 2026, leaning slightly in buyers' favor compared with 2025, as modest improvements in affordability, driven by mortgage rate relief and slower home price growth, give incomes a bit more room to catch up," said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com.

“Our 2026 top housing markets offer better value than nearby high-cost hubs, yet steady demand and persistent inventory shortages keep prices moving upward," Hale added. "For buyers, that can mean more competition and faster price gains. For sellers and homeowners, it signals strong demand or home price appreciation and equity gains."

Inventory is likely to remain fairly constrained, the study found. 

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