15 Hottest Housing Markets in the U.S. for 2022 and 2023

Move over, Los Angeles. The hottest real estate markets in the U.S. aren't where you'd think they would be.

15 Hottest Housing Markets in the U.S.

Forget Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. Thanks to inflation and unaffordable housing trends, the homes most desired by families at the end of 2022 are not in these places, nor are they in any western or southern states.

The hottest real estate markets at the end of 2022, as reported by Realtor.com, just may surprise you.

Note: We may earn money from affiliate partners if you buy through links on our site.

15. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Massachusetts/New Hampshire

Median days on market: 32

Median listing price: $745,000

* Data sourced from Realtor.com's October 2022 report.

Bottom Line: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Massachusetts/New Hampshire

The biggest metro on our list, Boston and its surrounding areas offer a daily reminder of U.S. history you will not get anywhere else. Healthcare, finance and higher education are the major employers here.

This diverse coastal city offers plenty of cultural opportunities and events for residents as well as, not surprisingly, access to world-class healthcare. It's also one of the most walkable cities in the country.

Where to stay:Godfrey Hotel

Book flights:To Boston

Rent a car:In Boston

Looking to buy a home in Boston? Check out BEX Realty to search real estate listings, find condos and homes for sale, and work with their unequalled realtors and concierge service throughout the home buying process.

14. Springfield, Illinois

Median days on market: 36

Median listing price: $194,000

Bottom Line: Springfield, Illinois

Springfield is the capital of Illinois, and the state is the area's largest employer. With only about 120,000 residents, Springfield offers many larger-city benefits and is close to bigger cities like St. Louis, Chicago and Indianapolis.

Homes in the area are affordable and plentiful, and there are a whopping 41 parks with activities ranging from golf and skating to animal watching (at the zoo) and athletic fields.

Where to stay:Drury Inn & Suites

Book flights:To Springfield

Rent a car: In Springfield

Looking to buy a home in Springfield, Illinois? Check out BEX Realty to search real estate listings, find condos and homes for sale, and work with their unequalled realtors and concierge service throughout the home buying process.

13. Lafayette-West Lafayette, Indiana

Median days on market: 36

Median listing price: $299,500

Bottom Line: Lafayette-West Lafayette, Indiana

With a population of about 73,000, Lafayette has a dense suburban feel mixed with its small-town vibe.

Public schools are above average for the state, and there are plenty of parks in the city and surrounding areas. Affordable housing also makes Lafayette attractive to young families.

Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Lafayette

Book flights:To Lafayette

Rent a car:In Lafayette

Looking to buy a home in Lafayette? Check out BEX Realty to search real estate listings, find condos and homes for sale, and work with their unequalled realtors and concierge service throughout the home buying process.

12. Springfield, Massachusetts

Median days on market: 38

Median listing price: $349,900

Bottom Line: Springfield, Massachusetts

Springfield, Massachusetts, has a wide variety of historic and modern homes, so much so that it's been dubbed "The City of Homes." Springfield's housing is more affordable than in most areas of the state.

Retirees and younger families who want a slower-paced lifestyle, a close-knit community, four seasons and plenty of outdoor activities are flocking to the area. The city is also a train ride away from Boston and New York.

Where to stay:MGM Springfield

Book flights:To Springfield

Rent a car:In Springfield

Looking to buy a home in Springfield, Massachusetts? Check out BEX Realty to search real estate listings, find condos and homes for sale, and work with their unequalled realtors and concierge service throughout the home buying process.

11. New Haven-Milford, Connecticut

Median days on market: 37

Median listing price: $350,000

Bottom Line: New Haven-Milford, Connecticut

New Haven-Milford offers small-town living just a stone's throw away from major cities. New York and Boston are perfect destinations for short day trips.

This college town (Yale is just one institution here) is known for its arts, culture, community, recreational activities — and don't forget the world-renowned pizza!

Where to stay:Graduate New Haven

Book flights:To New Haven

Rent a car:In New Haven

Looking to buy a home? Check out BEX Realty to search real estate listings, find condos and homes for sale, and work with their unequalled realtors and concierge service throughout the home buying process.

10. Dayton, Ohio

Median days on market: 35

Median listing price: $220,000

Bottom Line: Dayton, Ohio

The Wright Brothers Cycle shop in Dayton Ohio

With a downtown area chock full of recreational activities and close-knit suburban communities, Dayton has become a hot market for those moving from bigger metro areas.

The city has plenty of historic neighborhoods and districts, a bike-share program and microbreweries galore. Top industries in Dayton include aerospace, defense, education and healthcare.

Where to stay:Marriott at the University of Dayton

Book flights:To Dayton

Rent a car:In Dayton

Looking to buy a home in Dayton? Check out BEX Realty to search real estate listings, find condos and homes for sale, and work with their unequalled realtors and concierge service throughout the home buying process.

9. Worcester, Massachusetts

Median days on market: 36

Median listing price: $449,000

Bottom Line: Worcester, Massachusetts

This area is well-loved for its proximity to Boston (Beantown is just an hour away) and its affordable housing. Recreation areas and quality hospitals are in abundance, as are esteemed colleges and universities.

Locals even affectionately refer to the area as "Wormtown," which is a nod to its thriving underground music scene.

Where to stay:Homewood Suites by Hilton

Book flights:To Worcester

Rent a car:In Worcester

Looking to buy a home in Worcester? Check out BEX Realty to search real estate listings, find condos and homes for sale, and work with their unequalled realtors and concierge service throughout the home buying process.

8. Topeka, Kansas

Aerial view of state capitol building in Topeka, Kansas

Median days on market: 33

Median listing price: $227,000

Bottom Line: Topeka, Kansas

Topeka historic downtown, Kansas. — Traffic in Topeka historic downtown.

Topeka (and greater Shawnee County) touts itself as one of the best places to live in Kansas, and the housing market has been hot here for some time.

With a population of just over 125,000, the city has a dense suburban feel. Coffee shops and parks abound, and families and young professionals make up much of the demographic.

Where to stay:Hyatt Place Topeka

Book flights:To Topeka

Rent a car:In Topeka

Looking to buy a home in Topeka? Check out BEX Realty to search real estate listings, find condos and homes for sale, and work with their unequalled realtors and concierge service throughout the home buying process.

7. Fort Wayne, Indiana

Aerial view over the downtown city skyline of Fort Wayne

Median days on market: 30

Median listing price: $295,000

Bottom Line: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Fort Wayne is yet another midwestern town on the upswing after years of decline. Today, it's a family-friendly, mid-sized city with plenty of opportunities, good schools and endless recreational options.

The cost of living is also reasonably low in comparison to other cities of this size, so people are flocking to the area in search of a home. Lower sales tax, income tax and property tax also put more money in your wallet.

Where to stay: Wyndham Garden Fort Wayne

Book flights:To Fort Wayne

Rent a car:In Fort Wayne

Looking to buy a home in Fort Wayne? Check out BEX Realty to search real estate listings, find condos and homes for sale, and work with their unequalled realtors and concierge service throughout the home buying process.

6. Hartford, Connecticut

Median days on market: 36

Median listing price: $375,000

Bottom Line: Hartford, Connecticut

Hartford was established in 1635 and is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. as well as Connecticut's capital.

Hartford's diverse residents enjoy an affordable cost of living, higher-education access and new home developments. And if you want to work in insurance, you're in luck — the area is known as "The Insurance Capital of the World" — with most major insurers headquartered here.

Where to stay:Hartford Marriott Downtown

Book flights:To Hartford

Rent a car:In Hartford

5. Columbus, Ohio

Median days on market: 32

Median listing price: $338,900

Bottom Line: Columbus, Ohio

The Main street bridge in downtown Columbus, Ohio

This small city with a big-city feel has just about everything a new resident could desire. The capital of Ohio, Columbus's cost of living is low in comparison to major metros, and homes are cheaper than the national average.

Columbus has a stable, diverse economy, with six Fortune 500 companies based in the area — Cardinal Health, American Electric Power, L Brands, Nationwide, Alliance Data and Huntington Bancshares. And don't forget Ohio State University, which is one of the largest employers in town.

Where to stay:Sonesta Columbus Downtown

Book flights:To Columbus

Rent a car:In Columbus

Looking to buy a home in Columbus? Check out BEX Realty to search real estate listings, find condos and homes for sale, and work with their unequalled realtors and concierge service throughout the home buying process.

4. La Crosse-Onalaska, Wisconsin/Minnesota

Median days on market: 30

Median listing price: $359,900

Bottom Line: La Crosse-Onalaska, Wisconsin/Minnesota

Historic Pearl Street in Downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin

With its balanced economic base and low unemployment rate, La Crosse-Onalaska straddles the Wisconsin-Minnesota border and is a boon for young families looking for a place to call home. The strong job market and diverse recreational activities make it one of the best places to live in the country.

Industries such as manufacturing, food distribution and agriculture are in close proximity. The area's cost of living is about 10 percent lower than the national average.

Where to stay:Home2 Suites by Hilton LaCrosse

Book flights: To La Crosse

Rent a car:In La Crosse

Looking to buy a home in La Crosse? Check out BEX Realty to search real estate listings, find condos and homes for sale, and work with their unequalled realtors and concierge service throughout the home buying process.

3. Burlington-South Burlington, Vermont

Burlington at Church Street Marketplace.

Median days on market: 32

Median listing price: $460,000

Bottom Line: Burlington-South Burlington, Vermont

Several publications have ranked Burlington as one of the top places to live in the U.S. for a variety of reasons. It is known to be very safe for families, and it offers high-quality schools and city services, a thriving arts scene as well as three colleges and a university that employ people in the area.

The mountains and Lake Champlain are also a stone's throw away, should you choose to journey into nature.

Where to stay:Doubletree by Hilton

Book flights:To Burlington

Rent a car: In Burlington

Looking to buy a home in Burlington? Check out BEX Realty to search real estate listings, find condos and homes for sale, and work with their unequalled realtors and concierge service throughout the home buying process.

2. Rochester, New York

Median days on market: 25

Median listing price: $225,000

Bottom Line: Rochester, New York

After a downturn in the 1980s and 1990s, Rochester is, once again, a hot prospect for homebuyers. It's also one of the toughest areas to find a home in, as the demand is off the charts.

With a cost of living below the national average; proximity to Buffalo, Canada and New York City; good schools; and wide-open spaces, families continue to flock here. But a warning — the city's property taxes are some of the highest in the U.S.

Where to stay: The Strathallan

Book flights:To Rochester

Rent a car: In Rochester

Looking to buy a home in Rochester? Check out BEX Realty to search real estate listings, find condos and homes for sale, and work with their unequalled realtors and concierge service throughout the home buying process.

1. Manchester-Nashua, New Hampshire

Median days on market: 27

Median listing price: $495,000

Bottom Line: Manchester-Nashua, New Hampshire

Buyers from urban markets are flocking to this metro area for a better home deal and a safe place to raise their families. Manchester-Nashua is a small town and commuter suburb to nearby Boston. With considerably cheaper homes than those in bigger cities, no sales tax and a new commuter rail service on the horizon, the area has been consistently top-ranked for several months for new homebuyers.

Also, Oracle, HP, Nashua Corporation and Lockheed Martin all operate large facilities nearby.

Where to stay:Doubletree by Hilton Manchester

Book flights:To Manchester

Rent a car:In Manchester

Looking to buy a home in Manchester? Check out BEX Realty to search real estate listings, find condos and homes for sale, and work with their unequalled realtors and concierge service throughout the home buying process.