Zillow released it annual list of “most popular cities” this week, and the Northeast dominated for the second year in a row—only Connecticut took four spots in the top 10. Zillow analyzed housing metrics, including consumer demand, pageview traffic, home value growth and how quickly homes sell to create the listing.
of the most famous city of 2024 is generally Manchester, New Hampshire. Zillow notes that despite “growing interest among homebuyers,” contributing to home values ”jumping 7.3% over the past year, to $415,000,” it's still cheaper than Boston, which is only about an hour away by car.
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Although Manchester is New Hampshire's largest city, most of the places on the list are considered “exurbs,” defined by Zillow as “charming smaller towns located beyond the suburbs but within commuting distance of a major metropolitan area.”
“In another year of higher mortgage rates, the areas of affordability and opportunity took center stage in 2024,” Zillow chief economist Skylar Olsen said in a statement. press release. “With the rise of hybrid work models, more people are discovering hidden city gems they might have previously overlooked when commuting was the norm. Buyers are looking for places that offer the right combination of affordable living amenities and lifestyle. Adding to the price pressure, new listings may remain scarce in hot spots as existing owners continue to hold back.”
Only one West Coast market made the list, despite being the No. 1 2021. Midwest also took two points.
The skyline of Manchester, New Hampshire along the banks of the Merrimack River in autumn – Getty
Here are the 10 most popular markets of 2024
1. Manchester, New Hampshire
2. Rockford, Illinois
3. Stamford, Connecticut
4. Columbia, Maryland
5. Bridgeport, Connecticut
6. Allentown, Pennsylvania
7. Peoria, Illinois
8. New Haven, Connecticut
9. Waterbury, Connecticut
10. Sunnyvale, California
Zillow also revealed data for specific regions. Here's a look at some of the features.
Most famous big city: Toledo, Ohio
The typical home in Toledo is worth $121,000, making it an “attractive option for buyers looking for affordability,” according to Zillow data. Toledo is also close to Lake Erie and has a “thriving art scene.”
For large cities, San Jose, California, came in at No. 2, and Wichita, Kansas, held the No. 3 spot.
Toledo Veterans Glass City Sky Bridge – Getty
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Most Popular Small Town: Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
A two-hour drive from Pennsylvania's state capital, Philadelphia, small town no. 1 on the list is Elizabethtown, which has “scenic streets, local shops and parks,” according to Zillow.
Elizabethtown only has a population of about 12 thousandbut homes there typically go into contract within five days of going on the market, the report notes.
Other cities that entered the list were No. 2 Vermilion, Ohio, and No. 3 Roscoe, Illinois.
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, October 7, 2020 – Installation of a new antique passenger bus – Getty
Most popular seaside town: Milford, Connecticut
Milford offers 17 miles of shoreline along Long Island Sound, which helped it become the most popular seaside city for 2024.
Also in Connecticut, West Haven took No. 2, while South Portland, Maine, secured the No. 3 spot on the list.
Santa Cruz, California and Barnstable, Massachusetts, round out the top five.
Autumn in Milford, Connecticut – Getty