Redfin’s 2026 hottest neighborhoods list shows a clear flight from big-city pricing toward nearby exurbs—places within about an hour of major cities that still offer cheaper homes. The Midwest dominates the top 10, while Florida, once a staple, appears only sp
On a house-hunt calendar dominated by big-city prices, the winning strategy for many Americans isn’t to retreat all the way to the countryside. It’s to stay close enough to the action—without paying the closest price tag.
Redfin’s data points to that middle ground. The company analyzed ZIP codes in the 100 most populous metro areas by year-over-year growth in listing views and its Redfin Compete Score. which measures the difficulty in winning a home bid. The result was a list of the most in-demand neighborhoods for 2026. with a simple defining feature: every neighborhood is no more than an hour’s commute away from a major city.
But buyers aren’t just looking for proximity. Redfin frames the search as an ongoing push toward exurbs—the “happy medium” area between rural and urban—where homes can cost less than they do in the nearest metro area, while still keeping access to major-city amenities.
Redfin senior economist Asad Khan described the change in tone from earlier post-pandemic years. “That was the post-pandemic story, where people are leaving cities and trying to get into nature,” Khan said. “I think what we’re seeing now is this return to maybe not close suburbs but exurbs — suburbs that are outside major metros. or within the metro. but outside the major cities. where they have access to nature. they have access to space and affordability. but they still have that big city access that gives access to those amenities that are there.”.
Florida’s absence is another tell. Khan said that in years past, Florida would have occupied a majority of the spots on the list. This year, only a few Florida neighborhoods made the list—though they rank high.
The Midwest, by contrast, took the lead. Khan said the region “got super hot in part because people just weren’t leaving the Midwest as rapidly.” He added that when fewer residents moved down south. “a lot of that demand that would’ve been satisfied by Florida is instead just staying local in the Midwest.”.
The hottest neighborhoods of 2026, according to Redfin’s analysis, are:
10. Menomonee Falls, WI — Median sale price: $410,000. Median sale price change year-over-year: -11.4%. Change in median views per listing: 19.2% year-over-year. Share of homes that sold above list price: 41.6%.
9. Howell, MI — Median sale price: $385,000. Median sale price change year-over-year: 1.7%. Change in median views per listing: 27.3% year-over-year. Share of homes that sold above list price: 26.3%.
8. Little Neck, Queens, NY — Median sale price: $796,500. Median sale price change year-over-year: 35.0%. Change in median views per listing: 26.7% year-over-year. Share of homes that sold above list price: 26.0%.
7. Lee’s Summit, MO — Median sale price: $397,500. Median sale price change year-over-year: -2.8%. Change in median views per listing: 31.0% year-over-year. Share of homes that sold above list price: 30.9%.
6. Lincoln Park, MI — Median sale price: $158,000. Median sale price change year-over-year: 1.9%. Change in median views per listing: 14.3% year-over-year. Share of homes that sold above list price: 38.7%.
5. West Bend, WI — Median sale price: $350,000. Median sale price change year-over-year: 16.7%. Change in median views per listing: 19.4% year-over-year. Share of homes that sold above list price: 45.1%.
4. Oceanside, NY — Median sale price: $725,000. Median sale price change year-over-year: 2.8%. Change in median views per listing: 34.6% year-over-year. Share of homes that sold above list price: 50%.
3. Oak Creek, WI — Median sale price: $381,200. Median sale price change year-over-year: 12.8%. Change in median views per listing: 26.5% year-over-year. Share of homes that sold above list price: 38%.
2. Plant City, FL — Median sale price: $320,000. Median sale price change year-over-year: -7.0%. Change in median views per listing: 30.6% year-over-year. Share of homes that sold above list price: 13%.
1. Land O’ Lakes, FL — Median sale price: $425,000. Median sale price change year-over-year: 7.6%. Change in median views per listing: 90.9% year-over-year. Share of homes that sold above list price: 7.5%.
Taken together. the rankings track a specific kind of buyer patience: not everyone wants to be far from the big city. but many are seeking a break from the most expensive blocks closest to it. In 2026. the most intense competition—captured in rapidly rising listing views and the Redfin Compete Score—appears to be clustering in neighborhoods that sit close to major metros while still offering room. nature. and a cheaper way to get there.
Redfin 2026 hottest neighborhoods exurbs housing market listing views Redfin Compete Score housing demand Midwest Florida Land O' Lakes Plant City Menomonee Falls Howell Little Neck Lee's Summit Lincoln Park West Bend Oceanside Oak Creek home buying
So basically everyone’s just commuting now? wild.
I don’t buy it, “exurbs” sounds like marketing. People just want cheaper houses because everything’s too expensive. Also one hour commute is not “close” to me lol.
Florida being “only sp” (what??) probably means Florida is crashing or people stopped going there. Like if it’s not on the list, then obviously prices fell there or something. Midwestern top 10 makes sense though, because nobody wants heat and storms.
Asad Khan said it’s a “return” to exurbs, but doesn’t that just mean the same suburban sprawl again? You’re telling me people are still looking at listing views and bid scores like that actually reflects real life. Also Midwest dominates… yeah because wages are lower and so are expectations. I feel like Florida not being there is either politics or weather or the article got cut off, not sure.