Top cities for buying and selling homes in 2025
Whether you plan a big move to a new town, a shorter move across town or are just curious about where your homebuying dollar stretches furthest, see which city markets are budget-friendly. And if you’re selling a home, check out markets where that home might move more quickly than you expect – and why.
When you’re ready to take the next step, Guaranteed Rate Affinity’s Same Day Mortgage could help make your homebuying journey fast and stress-free*.
Top buyer-friendly markets
Fort Wayne, Indiana
With an average home price of $229,799, Indiana’s second-largest city offers potential buyers, particularly first-time homebuyers, a community built around transportation and logistics services as well as key health care and business services. About 54% of homes in Fort Wayne sell under list price, Zillow reported earlier this year.
Buffalo, New York
It’s a chilly place in wintertime, but Buffalo’s average home price of $224,133 makes it attractive for first-time and repeat buyers. Famous for its namesake chicken wings, Buffalo is known as a town for foodies and its location near the Great Lakes makes it popular for outdoor and water sports. Zillow reports that about 28% of homes in Buffalo sell for under list price.
Huntsville, Alabama
Nicknamed Rocket City because of its close relationship with NASA over the years, Huntsville is the largest city in Alabama by population. It’s not big enough to lose that small-town feel, though so it’s appealing for families. Homes here sell for an average price of $267,903. More than 62% of homes in Huntsville sell for less than the asking price, Zillow says.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s capital and largest city by population, Oklahoma City boasts a particularly affordable cost of living and an expanding job market that includes information technology and health services. The average home price here is $198,272, and Zillow reports that more than 57% of homes sell for less than the asking price.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Michigan’s second-largest city by population boasts a buyer-favorable inventory of homes for sale as well as mortgage interest rates that hover right about the national average. Long known for manufacturing – especially furniture – Grand Rapids supports a changing economy that leans toward health care and research. Homes here sell for an average of $275,310, Zillow reports, and fully half of homes sell for less than the asking price.
Top cities for home sellers
Buffalo, New York
Strong demand and home values up 5.5% from a year ago make Buffalo an improving market for home sellers. More than 65% of homes here have sold for more than the asking price since earlier this year, Zillow reports, a positive sign for sellers looking to get the most for their properties.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Home values go up quickly in Indiana’s state capital and largest city, though the market is still affordable for first-time and repeat homebuyers. Indy’s relatively low unemployment rate owes its success to industries such as transportation, education & health services and manufacturing. The average home price here is $222,887, and nearly 19% of properties sell for more than the asking price, Zillow says.
Providence, Rhode Island
The smallest state’s capital and largest city offers a competitive housing market in a desirable location. The city boasts a number of hospitals and institutes of higher learning that help to drive the local economy. Homes here sell for an average of $403,947 and as Zillow reports, nearly 44% of properties sell for more than the asking price.
Hartford, Connecticut
Homes in Connecticut’s capital sell quickly compared to other markets and the high demand works in favor of sellers eager to capitalize on the value of their properties. Hartford is home to a number of insurance companies as part of a job market that also includes education and health services. Homes here sell for an average of $179,170 and nearly 45% sell for more than the asking price, Zillow’s most recent reports show.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
In the state’s most populous city, home prices are up more than 9% from a year ago, a good sign for sellers looking to get the most from their properties in a market feeling a housing shortage. Milwaukee is home to a large number of Fortune 500 companies in industries that include banking, insurance, health care and publishing. According to Zillow, homes here sell for an average of $203,715 and about 38% sell for more than the asking price.
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