The hottest housing markets in 2024

Affordability will be the primary factor driving the housing market this year, with moderately priced cities expected to turn into the hottest markets, according to a new report from Zillow.

After buyers flocked to the Sun Belt over the last three years, helping drive prices up in parts of the South and West to record highs, they now are looking northward to regions where home values increased more gradually.

Younger consumers, who frequently place homeownership high on their list of financial goals, will influence trends, and they are putting a premium on affordability and career opportunity, said Anushna Prakash, data scientist for Zillow Economic Research. 

RELATED: The 10 best cities for first-time homebuyers in 2024

"Housing markets are healthiest where affordable home prices and strong employment are giving young hopefuls a real shot at buying and starting to build equity," she said in a press release.   

A prior Zillow study indicated households choosing to relocate were heading to regions with units that were typically $7,500 more affordable than the areas they exited.

Included among the the list of Zillow's hottest 2024 markets are cities in the Midwest and Northeast, where growth of jobs and new home permits point to likely demand that, in combination, prevents inventory and values from shrinking or surging too quickly.

But sunnier climes have not lost their appeal either, with Southern metropolises still likely to see elevated sales activity. 

"I'm cautiously optimistic that the housing market will get back on stable footing in 2024 — we shouldn't see the massive price spikes of the early pandemic or fast-rising mortgage rates of recent years," Prakash added.

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The typical property nationwide is being sold for $347,415 and comes with a monthly payment of $2,514 based on 5% down, Zillow said. Homes are staying on the market for 21 days. Meanwhile, the typical rent in the U.S. comes in at $1,982. Zillow determines typical values by averaging the middle third of markets after cutting off the top and bottom 5%.

Following are the 10 hottest markets for 2024 based on the real estate brokerage's analysis. 

Tampa, Fla.
Drone shot of Tampa Bay Florida landscape Harbour Island
Felix Mizioznikov - stock.adobe.com

Tampa, Florida

Typical home value: $375,338
Mortgage payment based on 5% down payment: $2,717
Days on market: 24
Typical rent: $2,091
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Orlando skyline fom lake Eola in Florida USA
TONO BALAGUER/lunamarina - stock.adobe.com

Orlando, Florida

Typical home value: $388,048
Mortgage payment based on 5% down payment: $2,806 
Days on market: 23
Typical rent: $2,013
Cleveland homes
wilgory - stock.adobe.com

Cleveland

Typical home value: $215,597
Mortgage payment based on 5% down payment: $1,556
Days on market: 12
Typical rent: $1,330
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Charlotte, North Carolina

Typical home value: $371,844
Mortgage payment based on 5% down payment: $2,688
Days on market: 16
Typical rent: $1,791
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Millennium Gate at Atlantic Station in Midtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Sean Pavone/SeanPavonePhoto - stock.adobe.com

Atlanta

Typical home value: $373,212
Mortgage payment based on 5% down payment: $2,701 
Days on market: 26
Typical rent: $1,903
Providence, R.I.
Buildings along Thomas Street, in Providence, Rhode Island.
jonbilous - stock.adobe.com

Providence, Rhode Island

Typical home value: $455,609
Mortgage payment based on 5% down payment: $3,288
Days on market: 14
Typical rent:  $2,039
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Waldteufel - stock.adobe.com

Indianapolis

Typical home value: $268,125
Mortgage payment based on 5% down payment: $1,944 
Days on market: 19
Typical rent: $1,468
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Columbus, Ohio beyond The Ohio State University
aceshot - stock.adobe.com

Columbus, Ohio

Typical home value: $301,138 
Mortgage payment based on 5% down payment: $2,177
Days on market: 11
Typical rent: $1,431
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John McGraw Photog - stock.adobe.com

Cincinnati

Typical home value: $270,826
Mortgage payment based on 5% down payment: $1,959
Days on market: 11
Typical rent: $1,527
Buffalo, NY
Neil - stock.adobe.com

Buffalo, New York

Typical home value: $248,445
Mortgage payment based on 5% down payment: $1,792
Days on market: 14
Typical rent: $1,257
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