How Much It Costs To Buy a Home in 2021’s Top Real Estate Markets

The pandemic has led to housing booms in some surprising places. As more jobs are able to be performed remotely, Americans are shifting their real estate priorities from homes in major cities to homes with more living space. Given this, the "hottest" markets in 2021 may not be what you expect.

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Support: What Homes Will Be Worth in Your State by the End of 2021

Realtor.com and the Wall Street Journal identified the top real estate markets of 2021 based on areas with strong housing demand, rising home prices, robust economies, plenty of good-paying jobs and amenities, like restaurants, bars and shops. According to Realtor.com, "the top markets are a mix of higher-end, outdoorsy, resort areas; smaller cities that have been growing at a breakneck pace; and places that provide a more affordable alternative to larger urban areas that are still just barely within commuting distance."

Here are the top 10 emerging real estate markets of 2021 -- plus, how much it will cost to live in each.

Last updated: June 9, 2021

10. Santa Cruz, California

• Median home list price: $1.22 million

See: The Best Place to Buy a Home in Every State

9. Manchester, New Hampshire

• Median home list price: $419,950

Read More: Rising Sea Levels Are Hurting Home Values in These 40 Cities

8. Concord, New Hampsire

• Median home list price: $362,450

Buy: The Cost To Own a 3-Bedroom Home in Every State

7. Reno, Nevada

• Median home list price: $562,000

Housing: 50 Housing Markets That Are Turning Ugly

6. Lafayette, Indiana

• Median home list price: $297,450

Ownership: In Less Than a Decade, You Won’t Be Able To Afford a Home in These Cities

5. Spokane, Washington

• Median home list price: $434,900

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4. Billings, Montana

• Median home list price: $428,500

Read More: This Is the Salary You Need To Afford the Average Home in Your State

3. Springfield, Ohio

• Median home list price: $144,900

Tips: 20 Insider Tips To Save Money on Every Part of Your Home

2. Austin, Texas

• Median home list price: $520,000

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1. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

• Median home list price: $799,000

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Methodology: The Realtor.com economics team and the Wall Street Journal’s data team identified the top markets of 2021, and beyond, in the inaugural Wall Street Journal/Realtor.com Emerging Housing Markets Index. Markets are ranked based on housing demand, rising home prices, local economies, number of jobs available and local amenities. The quarterly index looked at a pool of the country’s 300 largest metropolitan areas, which include the main city and surrounding suburbs, towns and smaller urban areas. Median list prices are accurate as of March 2021.

About the Author

Gabrielle Olya

Gabrielle joined GOBankingRates in 2017 and brings with her a decade of experience in the journalism industry. Before joining the team, she was a staff writer-reporter for People Magazine and People.com. Her work has also appeared on E! Online, Us Weekly, Patch, Sweety High and Discover Los Angeles, and she has been featured on “Good Morning America” as a celebrity news expert. 

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