2025’s Top Markets Boast Young Communities, Relative Affordability

The top markets of 2025 have available inventory, relative affordability, and plenty of young families.

Colorado Springs, Colorado, took first place on Realtor.com’s Top Housing Markets for 2025 list, followed by Miami, FL. Virginia Beach, VA, came in third, followed by Richmond, VA; and McAllen, TX.

While nationwide home sales are expected to see a slight uptick this year, driven by a cooling in home price growth, the top markets Realtor.com identified are poised for stronger existing home sales in 2025.

“Although affordability is still stretched for many households in these markets, as is the case just about everywhere, aspiring homeowners are able to create opportunities and access homeownership as a result of government-backed loan programs that enable lower down payments,” said Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale. 

Hale said these programs are particularly valuable to the younger families with military connections that call these top markets home.

Notably, Realtor.com highlighted Southern and Western cities on this list, a turnaround from previous emphasis on the Northeast and Midwest.

Southern and Western regions have more land and looser regulations when it comes to homebuilding. But incomes tend to be lower as well, meaning locals are still over the cost-burdened threshold for monthly housing spending.

McAllen, TX, is the most affordable metro on the list, with the cost of living coming in 13% below the national average. 

Miami, unsurprisingly, is the least affordable. Residents spend more than 40% of their income on housing month-to-month.