If moving to Columbus, OH, is on your to-do list, get your best offers in early because this Midwest city tops the list of the most popular housing markets in the U.S.
Columbus, a bustling college city with a population of more than 2 million, has risen to the top of the Realtor.com Most Popular Markets 2024 list. It earned high marks for its relatively low cost of living and low unemployment rate.
Columbus, OH, is one of the country’s major test markets, which means it’s often ahead of the curve on new products and ideas.
To calculate a city’s popularity, though, Realtor.com® looked at the cities that attracted the highest levels of buying interest in the past year. As is typical, larger cities like New York City, Dallas, Chicago, Miami, and Tampa, FL, attracted the most views across the country. However, it is not surprising to see populous metros attract more online traffic because larger metros tend to have more homes for sale.
But, when Realtor.com adjusted its analysis for market size, midsize cities—such as Columbus; Knoxville, TN; Louisville/Jefferson, KY; and Pittsburgh—were more popular with shoppers.
Donald Payne, a broker with Vision Realty in Columbus, says investments from companies like Intel, Google, and Amazon have driven people to the city. Columbus is also one of the country’s major test markets, which means it’s often ahead of the curve on new products and ideas. And it’s home to one of the biggest universities in the country—Ohio State University—giving it a young and vibrant energy.
“It’s a very robust market,” he says. The average price of a home here is $384,784; however, high interest rates have also somewhat affected home sales. Where last summer the average sale was 101% of the asking price, this summer, it’s hovering around 99.5%.
Asheville, NC
Median home price: $599,000
Average views per property: 1.7
This three-bedroom Asheville, NC, home is on the market for $689,000.
Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT
Median home price: $234,000
Average views per property: 3.5
This three-bedroom Hartford, CT, home is on the market for $269,900
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Median home price: $725,000
Average views per property: 1.2
This $500,000 Charleston, SC, home has four bedrooms and 2.5 baths.
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
Median home price: $475,000
Average views per property: 1.1
This three-bedroom Tampa, FL, home is on the market for $390,000.
Portland-South Portland, ME
Median home price: $570,000
Average views per property: 3.2
This three-bedroom home in Portland, ME, is on the market for $545,000.
Pittsburgh, PA
Median home price: $265,900
Average views per property: 1.5
This four-bedroom Pittsburgh, PA, house is on the market for $259,900.
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Median home price: $99,000
Average views per property: 1.2
This Detroit, MI, multifamily unit includes water frontage and is on the market for $479,000.
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Median home price: $289,000
Average views per property: 1.5
This Louisville, KY, home is on the market for $235,000.
Knoxville, TN
Median home price: $415,000
Average views per property: 1.7
This Knoxville, TN, three-bedroom home is priced at $450,000.
Columbus, OH
Median home price: $309,000
Average views per property: 2.4
This four-bedroom house in Columbus, OH, is listed for $280,000.
