Sparkling Golden Star

Smaller cities continue to dominate the list of the top-performing housing markets from this summer. Burlington, N.C., ranked number one on the hot housing market list in August, according to realtor.com®’s newly released rankings, which factor in the number of days a listing remains active and which markets are attracting the most listing views at realtor.com®.

The top 20 hottest markets in August spread out across 17 states. Realtor.com® notes it’s the most geographically diverse list on record, likely because remote-work flexibility has allowed more untethered workers to move anywhere.

The top markets also tend to be known for greater housing affordability. The average median list price among the top 20 markets was $299,000 in August, which is 21.4% lower than the national median of $380,000.

“As pricey West Coast markets have lost some appeal due to a combination of affordability concerns and work-from-home flexibility, market activity has spread out across the country,” say realtor.com® researchers Nicolas Bedo and Danielle Hale. “California, which in January 2018 claimed 13 of the top 20 spots, now accounts for just one of the markets on our list.” Meanwhile, Midwestern markets accounted for nine of the top 20 markets, the Northeast accounted for five, and the South had four markets top the list, up from one a year ago.

Here are the top 20 hottest housing markets in August, according to realtor.com®:

1. Burlington, N.C.

  • Median listing price: $290,000

2. Manchester-Nashua, N.H.

  • Median listing price: $405,000

3. Jefferson City, Mo.

  • Median listing price: $199,000

4. Johnson City, Tenn.

  • Median listing price: $300,000

5. Rochester, N.Y.

  • Median listing price: $228,000

6. Fort Wayne, Ind.

  • Median listing price: $245,000

7. Elkhart-Goshen, Ind.

  • Median listing price: $222,000

8. Eureka-Arcata-Fortuna, Calif.

  • Median listing price: $430,000

9. Raleigh, N.C.

  • Median listing price: $425,000

10. Rapid City, S.D.

  • Median listing price: $372,000

11. Portland-South Portland, Maine

  • Median listing price: $470,000

12. Topeka, Kan.

  • Median listing price: $177,000

13. Waco, Texas

  • Median listing price: $280,000

14. Saginaw, Mich.

  • Median listing price: $155,000

15. Janesville-Beloit, Wis.

  • Median listing price: $225,000

16. Worcester, Mass.-Conn.

  • Median listing price: $408,000

17. Columbus, Ohio

  • Median listing price: $300,000

18. Pottsville, Pa.

  • Median listing price: $110,000

19. La Crosse-Onalaska, Wis.-Minn.

  • Median listing price: $285,000

20. Billings, Mont.

  • Median listing price: $449,000
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