8 Cities Where People Are Doing the Most Home Renovations

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Whether you’re doing them out of necessity or just to spruce up your space, home improvement projects are about as inevitable as death and taxes. Kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations or putting in new hardwood floors all take time and money. So when it comes to home renovation projects, where are you statistically more likely to have to do so?

After the DIY project onslaught calmed down post-pandemic, there has been a slight uptick in 2024 home remodeling projects in general. The biggest contenders for your home improvement spending seem to be kitchen and bathroom remodeling, heating and cooling adjustments, roofing or plumbing. Prices will vary by location when hiring contractors, but cities with more disparate weather conditions often have more needs for maintenance. 

Your return on investment, or ROI, can depend on how well you maintain your space or what kind of upgrades you add. If you are thinking of moving or just curious about the home improvement market, based on the home renovation loans issued per capita according to SmartAsset, here are the eight cities where people are doing the most home renovations. 

Milwaukee

• Number of home renovation loans issued: 5,606
• Median loan amount: $65,000
• Home renovation loans issued per capita: 0.0036

Milwaukee sees its fair share of weather, but ultimately the reason this metropolitan area keeps the home improvement industry in the finest construction boots is due to several factors. These include pitting lower interest rates with rising home prices, a surge in kitchen renovations and the fact that it has become a bit of a hot spot for new construction. 

Raleigh

• Number of home renovation loans issued: 9,679
• Median loan amount: $65,000
• Home renovation loans issued per capita: 0.0033

Raleigh has a tight housing market, is home to a large stock of older homes and can experience extreme weather. Given all these factors, it’s no wonder that people lean into the nostalgia and convenience of staying put and fixing up their space rather than trying to compete for newer, more expensive homes.

Providence, Rhode Island 

• Number of home renovation loans issued: 5,170
• Median loan amount: $85,000
• Home renovation loans issued per capita: 0.0031

For being a city in such a small state, Providence sees its fair share of renovations, and at a slightly steeper home improvement budget when compared to the national average. Housing shortages in the small housing market also push for more remodeling projects as opposed to building new construction in limited space. 

Pittsburgh

• Number of home renovation loans issued: 7,048
• Median loan amount: $55,000
• Home renovation loans issued per capita: 0.0029

Pittsburgh has a lot of historical architecture, which ultimately means there is a high volume of renovations per capita as older homes tend to need significant upgrades or updates. Property values are also growing, which correlates to an increase in demand for renovated homes when buying or selling. 

Portland, Oregon 

• Number of home renovation loans issued: 7,273
• Median loan amount: $75,000
• Home renovation loans issued per capita: 0.0029

As a destination city, Portland has not only seen skyrocketing property values but also a need for its residents to improve or customize their homes. This competitive housing market means home improvement projects are rampant as the real estate market adapts to the changing needs and budgets of prospective buyers.

Denver

• Number of home renovation loans issued: 8,377
• Median loan amount: $95,000
• Home renovation loans issued per capita: 0.0028

The only thing higher than the elevation in Denver is the amount of home renovations the city sees, and the average cost budgeted for these improvements. The popular city is known for its competitive real estate market as well as an infamous housing shortage which leads many people to fix up their current property as opposed to shopping around. 

Charlotte, South Carolina 

• Number of home renovation loans issued: 7,700
• Median loan amount: $85,000
• Home renovation loans issued per capita: 0.0027

Charlotte has become a destination for both families and younger buyers alike. People like it as they want to live in a central city neighborhood that has a nice mix of metropolitan convenience and small-town vibes. There has also been a trend of real estate agencies demolishing older homes to renovate historic neighborhoods which would speak to the volume of home renovations jobs overall. 

Phoenix

• Number of home renovation loans issued: 11,786
• Median loan amount: $75,000
• Home renovation loans issued per capita: 0.0023

Phoenix attracts many new residents every year thanks to its warm weather climate and growing popularity. A large percentage of those moving to the Valley of the Sun are retirees looking to customize their retirement home. This helps keep the city’s renovation projects at a high rate.

Data is based on research from a 2024 SmartAsset study.

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