Greater Philadelphia ranks in the top ten hottest housing markets for 2026, according to Zillow’s recently released annual forecast, writes Ryan Mulligan for the Philadelphia Business Journal.
The analysis evaluates the nation’s 50 most populous metro areas using an index based on projected home value appreciation, time homes spent on the market last year, the ratio of new jobs to residential permits, and the expected change in owner-occupied households from last year to this year.
The regional housing market came in sixth, appearing on the real estate platform’s list for the second consecutive year. Last year, the city and the surrounding region held fifth place. Greater Philadelphia maintained a high position due to low inventory, strong buyer demand, and continued relative affordability.
The Philadelphia market remains a more affordable choice when compared to surrounding metros. As of last October, a typical home value in the region was $378,054, according to Zillow’s Home Value Index. That ranks it as the third most affordable city among the ten hottest markets for 2026, just behind Buffalo and Milwaukee.
Home values in Greater Philadelphia increased three percent year over year as of October 2025, the fourth-largest rise in the top ten markets.
Read more about Philadelphia’s housing market and why it’s among the hottest in the nation in the Philadelphia Business Journal.
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Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on PHILADELPHIA Today in January 2026.
