(NewsNation) — For the second year in a row, the Northeast dominated Zillow’s list of the most popular housing markets.
Manchester, New Hampshire, topped the real estate website’s 2024 rankings, which were based on consumer demand metrics like page-view traffic, home value growth and how quickly homes sold.
Typical home values are up 7.4% in Manchester over the past year, climbing to $415,000. The city has gained particular attention from buyers outside the area, suggesting a strong interest in relocating there, Zillow said.
Four cities in Connecticut made the top ten: Stamford, Bridgeport, New Haven and Waterbury.
Other Northeastern cities — like Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Columbia, Maryland — were also among the most popular.
The majority of the cities on this year’s list were exurbs — smaller towns beyond the suburbs but still within commuting distance of a major metro area.
“With the rise of hybrid work models, more people are discovering hidden-gem cities they might have previously overlooked when daily commutes were the norm,” Zillow Chief Economist Skylar Olsen said in a statement.
Olsen added: “Buyers are seeking out locations that offer the right mix of affordable living and lifestyle amenities.”
Only three cities outside the Northeast cracked the top ten: two in Illinois — Rockford and Peoria — and Sunnyvale, California.
Zillow’s top 10 most popular markets of 2024:
- Manchester, New Hampshire
- Rockford, Illinois
- Stamford, Connecticut
- Columbia, Maryland
- Bridgeport, Connecticut
- Allentown, Pennsylvania
- Peoria, Illinois
- New Haven, Connecticut
- Waterbury, Connecticut
- Sunnyvale, California
Other popular housing markets in 2024
Zillow also determined the hottest markets across various categories.
Most popular large city: Toledo, Ohio
“The typical home in Toledo is worth $121,000, making it an attractive option for buyers seeking affordability,” Zillow noted.
Most popular small town: Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
“With a population of 12,000, Elizabethtown features picturesque streets, local shops and parks, all of which are attracting the interest of Zillow shoppers,” the report said.
Most popular coastal city: Milford, Connecticut
Zillow wrote: “With 17 miles of coastline along Long Island Sound, the area has plenty of seaside attractions, including beaches, parks, boating and more.”
Most popular vacation town: Portland, Maine
“Renowned for its art scene, architecture and seafood, Portland draws visitors in search of a coastal getaway,” according to Zillow.
Most popular retirement city: Pahrump, Nevada
Zillow: “With a warm climate and more than one-third of its population ages 65 and older, Pahrump is an ideal community for retirees.”
Most popular college town: Normal, Illinois
Home to the Illinois State University Redbirds, Normal is now Zillow’s most popular college town.
