5 Most Affordable Hottest Housing Markets
Written by
Crystal Mayer
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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The housing market has had its ups and downs over the last few years, but some regions are still burning hot.
According to a recent market trend study by Zillow, Hartford, Connecticut is on track to be the nation’s hottest housing market of 2026. The city dethroned the winner of the previous two years, due to increased demand and a strong home price forecast.
While the metro may have taken the crown for the upcoming year, its predecessor may still have it beat when it comes to affordability. Here are the five most affordable hottest housing markets for the new year.
Buffalo, New York
For the past two years, Buffalo has sat atop the list as Zillow’s hottest housing market. According to their findings, sellers had the advantage allowing it to have the “highest competition value” among other metros. While it may have dropped to second on this year’s rankings for hottest markets, it is one of the most affordable to make the list.
As reported by Redfin, the median sale price of a home in the area was $215,000. To compare, the price is about 50% lower than the national average, making it not only searing hot but more affordable compared to some of its counterparts that are seeing highly competitive prices.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The home of the Brewers may come in 10th on Zillow’s list of hottest housing markets for 2026, but it ranks second in affordability among the top contenders. According to Realtor.com, the citywide median home price in December 2025 was $230,000, up nearly 7% from the previous year and 26% over the past three years
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford may take the cake as the hottest market for 2026, according to Zillow’s predictions, but it ranks third in affordability among the top ten cities. Realtor.com states the median home price citywide was $240,000. Supply is a consistent issue in the area, creating competition among buyers. Experts with Zillow noted that “attractive listings have been fiercely contested,” and homes can sit on the market for as little as a week before going pending. Last year, most homes sold for above the list price, making it this year’s top contender for hottest market.
Richmond, Virginia
Another projected red hot market is Richmond, Virginia. The city ranked ninth on Zillow’s predictions for hottest markets in 2026, but is the fourth most affordable on the list. According to Zillow, the average home value in the area is $357,214. The value represents a 0.6% increase over the past year. Homes in the city also move fast, going pending in 13 days, on average.
Providence, Rhode Island
Competition among buyers is expected to be high in Providence, Rhode Island which was predicted to be the fourth hottest housing market for 2026. Zillow reported that the average home value in the area is $416,930, representing a 1% increase from the previous year. Houses tend to go pending in just under a month, on average.
While the housing market is expected to grow slowly in the coming year, these markets are expected to be searing hot. Luckily for buyers, they still remain affordable with most having home values or median housing prices below the national average.
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