Rockford is the most popular housing market in the U.S. for 2025, leading a Midwest surge that’s pushing affordable, midsize cities ahead of pricey coastal metros, according to a community announcement from Zillow.
The city climbed to the top spot after ranking second in 2024. The Midwest accounts for a majority of this year’s top markets, with notable showings from the Northeast and a single West Coast entry.
Most of the top 10 markets offer home prices under $350,000, growing job access and communities that provide more breathing room and less financial strain, according to the announcement. Many of these cities also sit near major job centers or along key commuter corridors, giving residents big-city opportunities without big-city costs.
Which Midwest cities are on Zillow’s list of most popular markets?
- Rockford
- Berkeley, California
- Albany, New York
- Dearborn, Michigan
- Toledo, Ohio
- Carmel, Indiana
- South Bend, Indiana
- Abilene, Texas
- Springfield, Illinois
- Allentown, Pennsylvania
Zillow search trends show that the appeal of these markets extends well beyond their borders, drawing a high share of page views from shoppers outside the metros. But they aren’t just getting clicks, they’re getting action. Homes in many of the top markets go pending in days rather than weeks, pointing to competitive market conditions…