Boise, Idaho, ranked second and stood out as the only Western metro in the top 10, with new homes accounting for over half of listings and selling for less than existing ones. Boise also scored highly for sustainability, with new properties carrying lower wildfire risks. Nashville, Tenn.; McAllen, Texas; and Portland, Maine rounded out the top five.
“With nearly half of the for-sale homes in some of these metros being new construction, and often being sold at or below the cost of existing homes, buyers in these areas have a real chance to find homeownership with high-quality, newly built homes at prices they can afford,” Hale said.
Southern and midsize markets dominate the rankings, reflecting where demand and affordability intersect. Austin, Texas; Greenville, S.C.; Charlotte, N.C.; Raleigh, N.C.; and Madison, Wisc. also made the top 10.
Joel Berner, senior economist at Realtor.com, said local conditions play a key role. “When communities reduce zoning barriers and support sustainable building practices, it’s a win for affordability, livability, and long-term resilience,” he said.
Buddy Hughes, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders, added that policy change remains vital. “We need to enact policies at all levels of government that will eliminate burdensome regulations, promote careers in the skilled trades and alleviate permitting roadblocks,” he said.