These were the 10 most popular housing markets in 2024

(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.

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