Neighbors Bank’s 2026 report lists the best U.S. cities for first-time homebuyers, focusing on affordability and livability. Peoria, Fort Wayne and South Bend led the way with low housing costs and strong quality of life. AI Summary
Neighbors Bank on Monday released its list of the best cities for first-time homebuyers in 2026, revealing that the top three cities for first-time buyers are Peoria, Illinois, Fort Wayne, Indiana and Pittsburgh.
The report highlights 10 midsized U.S. markets where housing costs remain affordable and quality-of-life measures remain strong. It examined cities with populations above 115,000 and where total monthly housing costs account for no more than 35% of median household income…