10 Most Desirable Major U.S. Cities for Home Ownership

[SNOWFLAKE]

1. Washington, D.C.
2. San Diego, California
3. Fresno, California
4. Los Angeles, California
5. Sacramento, California
6. Kansas City, Missouri
7. Albuquerque, New Mexico
8. Louisville, Kentucky
9. Boston, Massachusetts
10. San Jose, California

Washington, D.C., has emerged as the most sought-after major city in the United States for property ownership, while Kansas City in Missouri stands out with the cheapest real estate.

This is according to a new study from Badeloft USA that analyzed 40 major cities with the most-active real estate markets. The capital leads in buyer interest, reflecting a national trend of high demand in urban centers balancing lifestyle quality, economic potential, and long-term value.

California dominates the ranking, with half of the top 10 most-desired major cities for real estate being in the state, including Fresno.

Map shows most- desirable major US cities for home ownership

The ranking shows "where people want to live, not just where they believe they can still get ahead," an expert told Newsweek.

www.newsweek.com

But........................ why?

"Consumers are becoming knowledgeable," said Doug Van Soest, a real estate professional who is the owner of SoCal Home Buyers. "They are balancing price with living standard, development prospects, and market capacity of the region. This is why a combination of big cities and up-and-coming urban areas is gaining popularity."

The latest ranking shows "where people want to live, not just where they believe they can still get ahead. That dichotomy underscores a market where affordability, lifestyle and supply constraints are intersecting in unusual new ways."

 

[NatMorton]

The methodology here seems flawed. The desirability of cities was based on Google search volumes. CA is the nation's most populous state, so should it be any surprise houses in its nicer neighborhoods received a higher volume of online interest than an equally nice neighborhood in, say, Wyoming?

If people are unhappy with how a state is run or its living conditions, they tend to vote with their feet. From Copilot:

Top States with Net Population Decline (2020–2024)​

State	Estimated Net Loss	Key Drivers
New York	~300,000+	Domestic outmigration, high cost of living
California	~250,000+	Housing costs, remote work shift
Illinois	~140,000+	Economic factors, tax burde
Louisiana	~46,000+	Natural disasters, economic challenges
West Virginia	~15,000+	Aging population, limited job growt
Pennsylvania	~30,000+	Natural population loss (deaths > births
Oregon	~7,000+	Mixed migration and birth/death trends

 

[phoenix2020]

1. Washington, D.C.
2. San Diego, California
3. Fresno, California
4. Los Angeles, California
5. Sacramento, California
6. Kansas City, Missouri
7. Albuquerque, New Mexico
8. Louisville, Kentucky
9. Boston, Massachusetts
10. San Jose, California

Map shows most- desirable major US cities for home ownership

The ranking shows "where people want to live, not just where they believe they can still get ahead," an expert told Newsweek.

www.newsweek.com

But........................ why?

As a homeowner in San Jose, I would describe the area as highly competitive from a real estate perspective,, but I don't know how that translates into desirability. Of course, the flip side is that many of the cities on this list are really fun, interesting places to live. I can't speak for all of them (never been to Louisville for example) but all the cities I do know are terrific places to live because they have exceptional job markets, schools, things to do, restaurants, etc.

 

[The Brad Dad]

The methodology here seems flawed. The desirability of cities was based on Google search volumes. CA is the nation's most populous state, so should it be any surprise houses in its nicer neighborhoods received a higher volume of online interest than an equally nice neighborhood in, say, Wyoming?

If people are unhappy with how a state is run or its living conditions, they tend to vote with their feet. From Copilot:

Translation: don't believe this criteria, believe this one.

 

[The Brad Dad]

As a homeowner in San Jose, I would describe the area as highly competitive from a real estate perspective,, but I don't know how that translates into desirability. Of course, the flip side is that many of the cities on this list are really fun, interesting places to live. I can't speak for all of them (never been to Louisville for example) but all the cities I do know are terrific places to live because they have exceptional job markets, schools, things to do, restaurants, etc.

Only conservatives would think it's an insult to suggest like San Diego is a fun city that's nice to live in.

 

[phoenix2020]

Only conservatives would think it's an insult to suggest like San Diego is a fun city that's nice to live in.

Yeah, San Diego is amazing. I love the Bay Area but would not shed a tear if life wound up landing me in San Diego someday. Each time I visit, I don't want to leave.

 

[SNOWFLAKE]

I can't speak for all of them (never been to Louisville for example) but all the cities I do know are terrific places to live because they have exceptional job markets, schools, things to do, restaurants, etc.

THAT I think is the point of the analysis. Others will post how blue states are "emptying out" of people.
Of course those who want more affordable living will move out of big cities and expensive states like California. BUT both in the article I posted and as you noted, people also find the real estate in certain states more desirable.
I personally don't like big cities, wherever they are, I am mid size city person myself. BUT if I wanted upper mobility (especially as a young person), the greater variety, and YES, even the more "woke" culture (using that word to appease those who use that word without context), then the big city would be for me.

 

[Greenbeard]

The methodology here seems flawed. The desirability of cities was based on Google search volumes. CA is the nation's most populous state, so should it be any surprise houses in its nicer neighborhoods received a higher volume of online interest than an equally nice neighborhood in, say, Wyoming?

It’s true, once you control for the number of people who actually want to live in a place, the desirability gap vanishes.

 

[Lutherf]

Desirability doesn't really mean that much. I'd love to live an $11m property with beach views on one side and city views on the other. Is that going to happen? Not likely, therefore the "desirable" part doesn't really mean much.

 

[Safiel]

Desirability doesn't really mean that much. I'd love to live an $11m property with beach views on one side and city views on the other. Is that going to happen? Not likely, therefore the "desirable" part doesn't really mean much.

I actually do live in a "desirable" location, but with a definition of desirable that probably wouldn't suit many people.



I live on the crest of the Appalachians overlooking the piedmont of North Carolina, in unincorporated Surry County. Not many people or farm animals per square mile, but tons of wildlife.

When I need or want to go to the city, Winston-Salem is in an hours reach. Nice city with a lot of stuff to do and stuff going on, but certainly would not want to live there. Small towns aplenty within easy reach, including Mount Airy, Elkin, Dobson, Pilot Mountain and Galax, Virginia. I actually wouldn't mind living in any of those, but my "desirability" is rural.

 

[Michael Cole]

Albuquerque would be interesting. 5,300 ft. elevation. The extremely high desert. The Sandia Mountains nearby. Lots of open space. Mid-sized city.

Fresno? Lol. San Diego weather is unbeatable, but too big. I've lived in Sacramento. No thanks. Kentucky is a beautiful state - green and rolling - but you can have the humidity. Indeed, every city listed except for Albuquerque is too humid for me.

Strange list, in my opinion. The methodology seems to equate real estate activity with desirability. I don't know how to read that. What people desire is entirely subjective. That more activity occurred in Fresno than Colorado Springs, for example, does not mean Fresno is a more desirable area than Colorado Springs.

 

[Diving Mullah]

1. Washington, D.C.
2. San Diego, California
3. Fresno, California
4. Los Angeles, California
5. Sacramento, California
6. Kansas City, Missouri
7. Albuquerque, New Mexico
8. Louisville, Kentucky
9. Boston, Massachusetts
10. San Jose, California

Map shows most- desirable major US cities for home ownership

The ranking shows "where people want to live, not just where they believe they can still get ahead," an expert told Newsweek.

www.newsweek.com

But........................ why?

1. Washington, D.C.--too ****ing cold!
2. San Diego, California-agreed
3. Fresno, California---too ****ing hot
4. Los Angeles, California---too ****ing crowded
5. Sacramento, California--too ****ing boring
6. Kansas City, Missouri--sliver of blue in shit load of red!
7. Albuquerque, New Mexico--agreed
8. Louisville, Kentucky--see Kansas city
9. Boston, Massachusetts--too ****ing racist! and too ****ing cold
10. San Jose, California--too ****ing expensive, but nice! and love it