The U.S. housing market has experienced record-high price growth over the past few years. According to the National Association of Realtors, the national median home price in the third quarter of 2025 was $426,800, a 1.7% increase from 2024 and an 8.3% increase from 2023.
But home prices aren’t accelerating in all markets. In much of the South and the West, prices are softening, while pockets of affordability are also emerging in the Midwest and Northeast. If you know where to look, you just might be able to score a deal in 2026.
To help home buyers find where housing affordability is improving, Zoocasa compared year-over-year median price changes for single-family homes across 20 cities in each region of America: the West, the Midwest, the South, and the Northeast.
Opportunities Emerge Across the South As Prices Drop
During the pandemic, many city dwellers sought refuge in the more affordable and sunnier South. But that migration trend is reversing as return-to-office mandates increase, climate concerns grow, and lifestyle preferences shift.
The result is large-scale price cooling across the South. While this might not be welcome news for home sellers, first-time buyers will find some of the most accessible housing markets in the country.
Take Asheville, NC, where the median home price of $415,000 is now 1.2% lower than last year and $10,000 below the national average. Since home values generally appreciate over the long run, purchasing now allows you to secure a competitive price while positioning yourself for steady equity growth in the years ahead.
Affordability is on the rise across Texas, with major cities seeing significant price corrections. Dallas led the way with a 5.71% decrease from 2024 levels, followed by Beaumont-Port Arthur at 4.62% and Houston at 1.50%. Most importantly for buyers, the median home price in each of these cities remains more affordable than the national median.
Similarly, in Florida, many once red-hot markets are coming down from pandemic peaks. This includes Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Jacksonville, and Tampa. The standout, however, is Ocala, where buyers can snag a single-family home for just $285,000.
Cities in the West That Won’t Break the Bank
Falling prices aren’t just a signal of greater affordability; they also signal reduced competition. For first-time buyers unfamiliar with the competitive real estate landscape, a relaxed buying experience can make all the difference between a well-thought-out purchase and an impulsive decision.
While high-demand Western hubs like San Francisco and Seattle continue to see sustained price growth, other cities are experiencing a notable cooling trend. Sacramento leads this shift, with the median price at $535,000, a 2.82% dip from 2024. For an even more accessible entry point, Spokane has seen its median price adjust to $405,000, down 2.7% year-over-year.
For first-time buyers prioritizing a budget, Tucson stands out as an excellent starting point; its median price of $355,000 is the lowest among the 20 Western cities analyzed, followed closely by Billings, MT, at $365,950. Meanwhile, California’s Central Valley offers further affordability in Fresno ($436,090) and Bakersfield ($395,000), which have seen steady year-over-year declines of 0.89% and 2.47,% respectively.
Demand Is Increasing in the Midwest, and So Are Prices
While still the most affordable region of the U.S., the Midwest is experiencing a surge in demand, which is driving up prices. Among the 20 Midwestern cities Zoocasa analyzed, just four have experienced a year-over-year decline in their median home price. Of those, South Bend, IN has seen the largest drop, at 3.59%, bringing its median price to just $215,000. Ann Arbor follows with a 2.2% drop, but with a median price of $422,500, it’s one of the pricier cities in the Midwest.
Because the Midwest remains more affordable than the West or Northeast, even cities with rising prices offer an accessible path to homeownership. In Indianapolis, the region’s second-largest city, the median home price rose 1.76% to $317,500—still a significant $100,000 below the national median.
Meanwhile, St. Louis and Cincinnati are leading the region’s growth with double-digit increases of 11.67% and 10.30%, respectively. Despite this climb, both cities maintain median prices at or below $320,000, making them attractive options for first-time buyers looking to build long-term equity.
Price Growth Continues in the Northeast
In the Northeast, price softening is rare, with only three out of twenty cities experiencing a dip. Fortunately for buyers, two of these cities offer a significantly more affordable entry point than the national median: Springfield, MA, where the median price of $292,500 is down 4.36% year-over-year, and New Haven, CT, which saw a 3.33% decline to $304,500.
In the rest of the Northeast, it can be difficult for buyers to find affordable housing. In Boston, the median home price jumped by 10.7% to $907,500 at the end of 2025, while Hudson County, NJ (home to Jersey City and Hoboken) has also seen prices jump by over 10% to $650,000.
Meanwhile, homes in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Bergen County, NJ, Washington, D.C., and Westchester will cost buyers over $700,000. Except for Brooklyn, all these cities are experiencing price increases, which further exacerbates housing affordability for first-time buyers.
So, where can those in the Northeast look? Upstate New York offers some of the most accessible prices, with median home prices in Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse all sitting below $280K. These cities are also experiencing growth, with year-over-year increases of 9.12% in Rochester, 10% in Buffalo, and 7.11% in Syracuse.
What to Expect from the 2026 Housing Market
With mortgage rates nearly a full percentage point lower than in January 2025—the average 30-year fixed rate is currently sitting at 6.16%—the 2026 market is poised for a steady revival.
NAR’s latest report shows that pending home sales were up 2.6% from 2024, a clear indication that the market is regaining its footing. “Homebuyer momentum is building,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “The data shows the strongest performance of the year after accounting for seasonal factors, and the best performance in nearly three years, dating back to February 2023.”
Additionally, the national supply has reached 4.2 months, a healthy level that offers buyers more options and less competition. This increase in inventory, combined with easing prices in several regions, is creating a more balanced environment for buyers in 2026.
With that being said, if you’re planning to enter the market this year, the best strategy is to partner with a local real estate agent. They can help you navigate these shifting conditions and ensure you find the right opportunity in an ever-changing landscape.
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