Buy Sell Rent Mortgage Find Realtors® My Home News & Insights Advertise Log in Sign up Home Blog Data Research About Search for: twitter instagram facebook Danielle Hale CHIEF ECONOMIST The Hottest Zip Codes of 2021 AUGUST 12, 2021 Our list of the 10 Hottest Zip Codes in America shows that homebuyers are eager to escape busy urban centers for more affordable, less dense suburbs. Shoppers are still determined to score a home in their dream neighborhoods, with some of last year’s top housing markets, and even some specific zip codes, returning to the list. Buyers who were eyeing these locales last year have remained persistent, driving up viewership to listings in these markets this year, and contributing to a blistering pace of sales where homes are locked down mere days after they go up for sale. Half of the zip codes on the list are in the northeast, with western, southern, and midwestern regions represented, as well. Realtor.com’s Hottest Zip Code rankings take into account two aspects of the housing market: 1) market demand, as measured by unique viewers per property on Realtor.com, and 2) the pace of the market as measured by the number of days a listing remains active on Realtor.com. The hottest areas are those that have high demand from buyers, in other words, lots of unique viewers per each property, and fast-selling homes, an indicator of limited supply. The 2021 Hottest Zip Codes in America, in rank order, are: Rank Zip Code City State Viewers per Property YoY Median Days on Market Median Listing Price 1 80916 Colorado Springs Colorado 36% 4 $318,000 2 14617 West Irondequoit New York 112% 6 $175,000 3 01960 Peabody Massachusetts 85% 3 $625,000 4 03103 Manchester New Hampshire 81% 5 $315,000 5 27616 Brentwood North Carolina 284% 5 $319,000 6 43228 Lincoln Village Ohio 80% 5 $235,000 7 01757 Milford Massachusetts 264% 6 $455,000 8 03301 Concord New Hampshire 162% 9 $343,000 9 48336 Farmington Michigan 122% 8 $244,000 10 37067 Franklin Tennessee 337% 5 $847,000 High prices drive demand to affordable areas Affordability is the name of the game in 2021 as listing prices reached record highs around the country over the past year. The majority of zip codes on our list are substantially lower in price than the national median. Likewise, several zip codes are more affordable than their local markets, driving cost-conscious consumers in their direction. In fact, some familiar cities such as Colorado Springs (ranking #1 in 2020) are returning under the banner of a neighboring, more affordable, zip code compared to last year. The need to work from home, along with new hybrid work arrangements, continues to put pressure on markets with spacious homes and outdoor features. Buyers looking in the hottest zip codes get more space for their money. The price per square foot for homes in the hottest zip codes was 3.7% lower than their surrounding metros in June. Homebuyers shopping in these zip codes will also find larger homes than they would find around the country, with a median square footage of 1,850, which is 110 square feet larger than other homes for sale around the country. Many of these zips are starter-home neighborhoods offering good real estate value in metros where homes are larger. Demand is up across all of the hottest zip codes. The number of unique visitors per property on Realtor.com in the top zip codes have more than doubled in the past year, up 156% percent, on average. Viewers per property in the hottest zip codes were 3.2 times as high as their surrounding metro areas, and 3.9 times as high as the national average. Pent up demand from the pandemic has sped up these local markets to a blistering pace. The typical home in the hottest zip codes sold in 6 days in June, 10 days faster than their surrounding metro areas and 31 days faster than the national pace of 37 days. Across all top 10 zip codes on our list, the median listing price reached $388,000 in June, 5.0% lower than their surrounding metro areas, and within 1% of the national median of $385,000. Nearly every zip code in our top 10 has some element of affordability. Nine of the top 10 zip codes had a lower median list price compared to the U.S. housing market, or relative to their surrounding metropolitan area, or both. Specifically, seven of the top 10 zip codes had median listing prices lower than the rest of the country in June, together priced at $270,000, a whopping $106,000 (27.6%) lower than the national median. Hottest Zips are found in more suburban areas with higher millennial incomes The 2021 Hottest Zips also show skyrocketing buyer interest in more suburban areas with strong millennial job markets. Among the 2021 Hottest Zips, only Peabody, Mass. (zip 01960) and Farmington, Mich. (zip 48336) are located in one of the 20 largest U.S. metropolitan areas by population: Boston and Detroit, respectively. The remaining zip codes are in relatively less-dense secondary metros, with populations under three million. Overall, this year’s top 10 zip codes are located an average of 16 miles, or 21 minutes, from the downtown areas of the surrounding metros. Most of the Hottest Zips offer strong job markets where younger Americans are gaining ground. In fact, the median household income for millennials aged 25-34 in the Hottest Zips is $71,127, which is 6.7% higher than the national average for this group at $66,661. Older millennials (aged 35-44) bring home a median income of $88,698 in the 2021 Hottest Zips, 6.3% above the national average for this group. With many now 40-years-old, older millennials have established a solid financial foundation in the Hottest Zips where their dollars go further. Prior to COVID, homeownership may have been a few years off for younger millennials, many of whom are building their careers, but flexible work arrangements are now enabling some to make a homebuying play. Building on older millennials’ success establishing themselves as homeowners in up-and-coming areas across secondary metros, younger millennials are pioneering into new zip codes where relatively higher incomes make them more competitive buyers. Fresh entries and familiar faces Some familiar zip codes, and several familiar metropolitan areas, are returning to the list this year. Zip code 14617 (Rochester, NY) returns to the list after ranking #3 on last year’s list. Zip code 01960 (Peabody, MA) also makes a return from a previous year, ranking #5 in 2018. Moreover, nearly every metropolitan area on the list this year has been represented in the past, albeit by a different zip code. Entirely new to the list is Franklin, TN in the Nashville area, appearing in the top 10 for the first time since the list’s inception. Nashville has been a hot market for years now, always hovering near the top and finally breaking through this year. Last Time on the List Rank Zip Code Metro Area Zip Metro 1 80916 Colorado Springs, CO – #1 2020 2 14617 Rochester, NY #3 2020 #3 2020 3 01960 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH #5 2018 #4 2020 4 03103 Manchester-Nashua, NH #7 2020 5 27616 Raleigh, NC – #10 2020 6 43228 Columbus, OH – #2 2020 7 01757 Worcester, MA-CT – #8 2020 8 03301 Concord, NH – #9 2019 9 48336 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI – #2 2017 10 37067 Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN – – Hottest Zip Codes in America 1) Zip 80916 – East Colorado Springs, Colo. (Colorado Springs Metro) ZIP 80916 is located on the east side of town and is home to the Colorado Springs Airport and Peterson Airforce Base. The area is known for its affordable homes, built in the 1970s and 80s, and the quick commute to military bases and defense contractors, such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. In recent years, the ZIP has seen an influx of buyers from California and Texas looking to enjoy the outdoors and take advantage of top-rated schools including Irwin Charter High School, rated eight out of 10 by GreatSchools.org. On the weekend, locals enjoy hiking and rock climbing in places like Garden of the Gods and Pike’s Peak. Colorado Springs is no stranger to the Hottest ZIPs list, ZIP 80911, also in Colorado Springs, ranked No. 1 in 2020. Housing Stats: Homes in ZIP 80916 spend an average of four days on market, eight days less than the Colorado Springs metro as a whole and 33 days less than the national median. The median listing price is $318,000, up 19.8% year-over-year, but 36% lower than the metro and 17% lower than the national median. While this ZIP lags behind in homeownership with fifty-one percent of residents and 40% of younger millennials owning a home, it shows promise thanks to young households. Seventy-four percent of the population in this ZIP is under age 45. 2) Zip 14617 – West Irondequoit, N.Y. (Rochester Metro) ZIP 14617 is in the northwestern part of the state on Lake Ontario and is part of New York’s third largest metro area. Rochester offers a unique blend of history and innovation: Homes and commercial buildings date back a century or more, while the city’s downtown is undergoing development and revitalization. During COVID, the area drew home buyers from Boston and New York City looking for more affordable real estate. In addition to a great school system, Iroquois Middle School is rated eight out of 10 on GreatSchools.org, and lower cost of living, Rochester offers a family-friendly environment, including more than 3,500 acres of nationally recognized parks, outdoor festivals, amusement parks, baseball games at Frontier Field, the Buffalo Bills’ training camp in the warmer months and nearby ski slopes and sledding hills in the winter. No stranger to Realtor.com®‘s Hottest ZIPs list, West Irondequoit (ZIP 14617) ranked No. 3 last year. Housing stats: Homes in ZIP 14617 sell in an average of just six days, six day faster than the metro area and 31 days faster than the national median. Median listing price is $175,000, up 9.4% from last year, but 28% and 55% lower than metro and U.S. respectively. Eighty percent of residents in ZIP 14617 are homeowners, and younger millennial homeownership is 83% — both well above the national average. 3) Zip 01960 – Peabody, Mass. (Boston Metro) ZIP 01960 is part of Massachusetts’ North Shore, just 20 miles northeast of Boston. Near major highways like I-95, Peabody offers convenient access to vacation spots along New England’s rocky coastline and into the ski mountains of New Hampshire and Maine. Homes are more affordable compared to Boston proper and its adjacent suburbs. Locals view Peabody as its own city, filled with hotels and restaurants, as well as the Northshore Mall, one of the region’s largest shopping centers. With its abundance of single-level, ranch-style houses, more affordable asking prices, lower taxes and retirement-friendly lifestyle, the area attracts empty nesters looking for homes that will be more manageable in their retirement years. Peabody ranked No. 5 on Realtor.com®‘s Hottest ZIPs list in 2018. Housing stats: Homes in Peabody sell in an average of three days, 19 days faster than the Boston metro area and 34 days faster than the national median. The median listing price is $625,000, 11% lower than the metro, but 62% higher than the national median. Sixty-three percent of residents in this ZIP are homeowners and, while millennial homeownership is above the U.S. average, just 10% of households are aged 25-34. 4) Zip 03103 – Manchester, N.H. (Manchester Metro) ZIP 03103 is on the southside of New Hampshire’s most populous city, and offers affordability, a healthy job market and access to outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing. Manchester’s bustling downtown, Elm Street, features a number of restaurants and Manchester’s Verizon Wireless Arena for hockey games and concerts. The city also boasts Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, home to the city’s double A Fisher Cats baseball team. The state has no income or sales tax, and ZIP 03103 boasts more affordable homes than some of the neighboring towns. The area’s biggest employers are Elliot Health Systems, Southern NH University and Catholic Medical Center, but there is also a burgeoning start-up scene. About 20 miles from the Mass. border, Manchester has become a popular destination for Boston commuters looking for affordability and outdoor space, a trend which became even more prevalent during the pandemic. Housing stats: Homes in ZIP 03103 spend an average of five days on the market, moving five days faster than the metro and 32 days faster than the national average. Median list price is $315,000, up 30% year-over-year, but 23% lower than metro and 18% lower than the U.S. average. Homeownership lags behind national figures here with 46% of residents in this ZIP and 35% of millennials owning their homes, but the area is young. Sixty-one percent of the population is under age 45. 5) Zip 27616 – Brentwood, N.C. (Raleigh Metro) ZIP 27616 is centrally located about 20 minutes from downtown Raleigh, Rolesville and Wake Forest. This ZIP offers a range of homes from townhomes to luxury homes priced from $600,000-$700,000. Over the past year, the area has seen an influx of buyers from New York and major metro areas on both coasts who are interested in seeing their dollar go further. The area’s largest employer is Duke University and Health System, but the Research Triangle region is home to a number of local tech companies like SAS Institute and satellite offices for IBM and Cisco Systems. One of the biggest perks of the area is its planned communities, including 5401 North which offers parks, restaurants, schools, shops and community events. Housing Stats: Homes in ZIP 27616 spend an average of five days on market, 10 days less than the Raleigh metro as a whole and 32 days less than the national median. The median listing price is $319,000, up 0.8% year-over-year, and 22% lower than the metro and 17% lower than the national median. Sixty-seven percent of residents in ZIP 27616 are homeowners and younger millennial homeownership is 58%. 6) Zip 43228 – Lincoln Village, Ohio (Columbus Metro) ZIP 43228 is just 10 miles west of downtown Columbus and offers affordable home options for those looking to size up for a growing family, or those sizing down. There are plenty of state and city parks with biking, hiking and walking trails, while the Short North Arts District has lots of restaurants and shopping. Employers range from venture capital firms and startups like Drive Capital and Root Insurance, to well-known names such as Nationwide Insurance and Wendy’s. For those who enjoy sports, there’s Ohio State athletics, the NHL’s Blue Jackets, AAA baseball at Huntington Park and the Columbus Crew soccer team. Schools in the area are rated highly including Columbus Preparatory Academy, rated eight out of 10 by GreatSchools.org. Thanks to its affordability, Columbus has been seeing an influx of people moving from bigger cities like New York City and Chicago. Housing stats: Homes in ZIP 43228 sell in an average of just five days, 10 days faster than the metro area and 32 days faster than the national average. The median listing price is $235,000, up 56.7% from last year, but 22% and 39% lower than the metro area and the U.S., respectively. Homeownership lags a bit in this zip. Forty-two percent of residents are homeowners, while the millennial homeownership rate is 33%. However, it has plenty of young people, with 69 percent of the population under age 45, 7) Zip 01757 – Milford, Mass. (Worcester Metro) ZIP 01602 is located on the southeast side of Worcester and just an hour outside of Boston, offering quick access to both areas’ large job markets. Although Milford has lost its primary commuter rail access during the pandemic, the ZIP is within 10 minutes of the Mass. Pike, which leads straight into Boston. The area’s largest employer is Dell EMC, but the rise in remote work is making the area a more attractive option for young professionals who don’t need to commute into the city every day. Buyers will find their city-level salaries can purchase a lot more house in Milford, where home prices are not only lower than Boston, but have declined slightly since last year – a rarity in today’s market. And with plenty of hiking and biking trails and breweries like CraftRoots, Milford is attracting younger buyers ready to pursue the full-time hipster lifestyle. Housing stats: Homes in Milford spend an average six days on market, 11 days less than the Worcester metro as a whole and 31 days less than the national median. The median listing price is $455,000, 6% and 18% higher than the metro area and the national median, respectively, but notably below nearby Boston’s $699,000 median asking price. Sixty-two percent of residents in this ZIP are homeowners and millennial homeownership is 44% among those aged 25-34, and 59% in the 34-44 age bracket. 8) Zip 03301 – Concord, N.H. (Concord Metro) ZIP 03301, located in the heart of New Hampshire’s capital city, is the state’s political and cultural center. Its historic downtown boasts two performing arts centers and three museums, including the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, which features interactive space-themed exhibits and a planetarium. With no state income or sales tax, and relatively affordable housing options, Concord is a budget-friendly place to live. Locals enjoy easy access to New Hampshire’s lakes region and the White Mountains for outdoor recreation. The area’s outdoor access and affordability make it attractive to a wide range of demographics. Concord’s largest employers are Concord Hospital and Steeplegate Regional Mall, but the recent boom in remote work has made Concord an even more attractive place to live. Housing stats: Homes in ZIP 03301 spend an average of nine days on the market, eight days less than the metro area and 28 days less than the U.S. average. The median list price is $343,000, up 14.4% year over year, but still 10% and 11% lower than metro and U.S. medians, respectively. Homeownership lags behind in this ZIP where 47% of residents are homeowners, and millennial homeownership is below the national average at just 26%. 9) Zip 48336 – Farmington, Mich. (Detroit Metro) ZIP 48336 is a commuter-friendly town with easy access to Detroit – only 15-20 minutes away by car – and nearby Southfield and Ann Arbor. Farmington is the closest suburban neighborhood to the city where home buyers can still get both land and a substantially-sized home (typically between 2,000-3,000 sq ft). In addition to affordability and space, buyers with families are drawn to this “bedroom community” because of its many desirable schools like Farmington High School, rated a seven out of 10 on GreatSchools.org and proximity to universities like Michigan State and several hospitals, as well as community events and outdoor spaces. You can find a good mix of housing styles, sizes and price ranges – there are options for first-time buyers and also those looking for “trophy homes” – and the little downtown area has a small movie theater, shopping and restaurants. Housing stats: Homes in ZIP 48336 spend an average of just eight days on the market, 13 and 29 days faster than metro and U.S., respectively. The median listing price is $244,000, up 8.6% from last year, but 13% lower than the metro area and 37% lower than U.S. Sixty-four percent of residents are homeowners and the millennial homeownership rate is above the national average at 54%. 10) Zip 37067 – Franklin, Tenn. (Nashville Metro) ZIP 37067 is located just 21 miles from downtown Nashville. It’s an easy drive to Music City’s urban attractions, but the rolling hills, farms, open space and beautiful landscape feel far away. The historic town, which is beloved for its classic Southern charm, hospitality and welcoming community, is just minutes from modern amenities like Whole Foods Market and LifeTime Fitness. The downtown Main Street boasts annual family festivals and boutique shopping. With some of the best public schools in Tennessee, including Grassland Middle School and Moore Elementary School, both rated nine out of 10 on GreatSchools.org, and a significantly lower cost of living than the national average, Williamson County has seen an influx of residents looking to flee more crowded and expensive areas during the pandemic. Housing stats: Homes in ZIP 37067 spend an average of just five days on the market, moving 10 days faster than the metro area and 32 days faster than the U.S. average. The median listing price is $847,000, up 30.6% from last year, and 97% and 120% higher than the metro and U.S., respectively. Fifty-eight percent of residents of this ZIP are homeowners – on par with the national average – but the home ownership rate among millennials is 35%. Top 50 Hottest Zip Codes Rank Zip Code City Metro Area 1 80916 Colorado Springs, CO Colorado Springs, CO 2 14617 West Irondequoit Rochester, NY 3 01960 Peabody, MA Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 4 03103 Manchester, NH Manchester-Nashua, NH 5 27616 Brentwood, NC Raleigh, NC 6 43228 Lincoln Village, OH Columbus, OH 7 01757 Milford, MA Worcester, MA-CT 8 03301 Concord, NH Concord, NH 9 48336 Farmington, MI Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 10 37067 Franklin, TN Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN 11 53716 Madison, WI Madison, WI 12 18018 Bethlehem, PA Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ 13 83404 Idaho Falls, ID Idaho Falls, ID 14 93611 Clovis, CA Fresno, CA 15 04062 Windham, ME Portland-South Portland, ME 16 28213 Charlotte, NC Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC 17 02048 Mansfield, MA Providence-Warwick, RI-MA 18 27217 Burlington, NC Burlington, NC 19 78754 Austin, TX Austin-Round Rock, TX 20 75025 Plano, TX Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 21 46805 Fort Wayne, IN Fort Wayne, IN 22 14223 Buffalo, NY Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY 23 68106 Omaha, NE Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA 24 01020 Chicopee, MA Springfield, MA 25 19702 Newark, DE Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 26 53226 Milwaukee, WI Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI 27 85224 Chandler, AZ Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ 28 95376 Tracy, CA Stockton-Lodi, CA 29 95661 Roseville, CA Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA 30 80249 Denver, CO Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO 31 03461 Rindge, NH Keene, NH 32 33626 Tampa, FL Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL 33 45014 Fairfield, OH Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN 34 55807 Duluth, MN Duluth, MN-WI 35 38016 Cordova, TN Memphis, TN-MS-AR 36 94510 Benicia, CA Vallejo-Fairfield, CA 37 43028 Howard, OH Mount Vernon, OH 38 07043 Montclair, NJ New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA 39 93292 Visalia, CA Visalia-Porterville, CA 40 99336 Kennewick, WA Kennewick-Richland, WA 41 17070 New Cumberland, PA Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA 42 93312 Bakersfield, CA Bakersfield, CA 43 59105 Billings, MT Billings, MT 44 95503 Eureka, CA Eureka-Arcata-Fortuna, CA 45 49505 Grand Rapids, MI Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI 46 99206 Spokane, WA Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA 47 23229 Henrico, VA Richmond, VA 48 40229 Louisville, KY Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN 49 44685 Uniontown, OH Akron, OH 50 94519 Concord, CA San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA Methodology Notes: Realtor.com’s Hottest Zip Code rankings are based on an algorithm that takes into account two aspects of the housing market: 1) market demand, as measured by unique viewers per property on Realtor.com, and 2) the pace of the market as measured by the number of days a listing remains active on Realtor.com. The hottest areas are those that have high demand from buyers, in other words, lots of unique viewers per each property, and fast-selling homes, an indicator of limited supply. Market Hotness rankings based on Realtor.com listing data from January to June 2021. The list of top zip codes is limited to one zip code per metropolitan area. Descriptive statistics in this write-up refer to June 2021 data only. Subscribe to our mailing list to receive updates on the latest data and research. Author Danielle Hale, Nicolas Bedo, George Ratiu Twitter Facebook Reddit Email Post navigation Similar Articles ECONOMIC COVERAGE HOTTEST MARKETS AFFORDABILITY HOUSING DEMAND LOCAL MARKET INSIGHTS LUXURY HOUSING Twitter Facebook Reddit Email Search Homes Now Most listings updated at least every 15 minutes* About us Careers Feedback Media room Ad Choices Advertise with us Agent support Privacy Terms Home Made Tech Blog Sitemap Do Not Sell My Personal Information GET THE APP PRODUCTS Leads & Branding ListHub Moving.com International SeniorHousingNet.com Doorsteps Avail Builder Solutions NEWS CORP Barrons Financial News Harper Collins Mansion Global MarketWatch New York Post REA Group Storyful Wall Street Journal Makaan.com Housing.com PropTiger.com News Corp Australia News UK © 1995-2021 National Association of REALTORS ® and Move, Inc. All rights reserved.