Top Cities for Homebuyers

Want to find out the top cities for homebuyers to move to and where they are moving from? Hint: affordability and a quieter way of life are motivating factors. Find out if your city is in the mix.

By: Felicia Feaster

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The Best Options for Homebuyers

There has been a mass exodus of homebuyers from coastal cities with high taxes and expensive homes to so-called "second cities." According to the real estate analytics site CoreLogic, what were those homebuyers looking for? For one, homes with more indoor and outdoor space, more affordable homes and homes in locations in states like Texas, Florida, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee, many with year-round warm weather and plenty of outdoor amenities. With no state income tax, Florida was especially appealing in this time of geographic transition among homebuyers. Find out the top 15 cities that buyers flocked to, and the 15 cities that saw the biggest migration out.

From: Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®

1. Riverside, California

According to CoreLogic, realtors in 2020 said that more than half of home sales were the result of virtual tours, with the homebuyer never even physically visiting the property.

The average home cost in Riverside is $436,288 compared to an average cost of $989,157 in Los Angeles, which may explain why Riverside was such an attractive option to homebuyers who wanted to stay in California.

2. Lakeland, Florida Metro Area

Secondary cities like Lakeland and Winter Haven, Florida near larger ones like Tampa are big on homebuyers' lists. They offer all of the benefits of a slower pace and wide open spaces with quick access to big city amenities like concerts, great restaurants and cultural offerings.

3. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Metro Area

Towns that might have once been seen as strictly vacation destinations are becoming more appealing for homebuyers seeking out great weather and ready access to natural resources.

4. Las Vegas, Nevada Metro Area

If it's good enough for The Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott as a home base, then it's good enough for you.

5. Tampa, Florida Metro Area

Compared to pricey cities like New York, where average home prices are 600K+, in Tampa you can enjoy no state income taxes and home prices that average $348,849.

6. Port St Lucie, Florida

There may not be an actual port in Port St. Lucie, but there's still plenty to do on the water in this delightful Atlantic coast seaside town that boasts more than 20 miles of beaches.

7. Jacksonville, Florida

Sunny, sophisticated Jacksonville, Florida is ranked as the second most relaxing city in the US. Who wouldn't feel relaxed contemplating Jacksonville's beautiful water views of the St. Johns River from the heart of a skyscraper-filled downtown?

Learn More: The 10 Most Relaxing Cities in America

8. San Antonio, Texas Metro Area

The riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas, lights up at Christmas time but is appealing any time of year. This 2.5-mile-long network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River is lined with an eclectic mix of shops, bars and more. A beautiful botanic garden and the San Antonio Museum of Art make this slice of Texas a mecca for homebuyers who want access to culture and nature.

9. Deltona, Florida (including Daytona Beach) Metro Area

Another Florida town often associated with tourism, Daytona Beach and surrounding areas have plenty to keep year-round residents engaged, such as the Main Street Pier, a historic pier that is also the longest on the East Coast.

10. Dallas, Texas Metro Area

The cultural district in Fort Worth has been luring visitors to the city for years due to three world-class museums – the Kimbell Art Museum (pictured), the Modern, and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, all great attractions for homebuyers in search of proximity to arts and culture.

11. Stockton, California

This central valley California city features parks, nature trails, museums and is home to California's oldest university, the University of the Pacific. Shown here: Stockton's waterfront harbor.

12. Cape Coral, Florida Metro Area

The fishing is great at Fort Myers Beach Pier, in keeping with this Florida city's slower pace of life. Cape Coral is one of the most affordable places to live in Florida. Nearby Sanibel Island offers spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico.

13. Phoenix, Arizona Metro Area

Bountiful outdoor activities make the quality of life in the Phoenix area appealing to many prospective homebuyers.

14. North Port, Florida (including Sarasota) Metro Area

The Sarasota area offers not only beaches and access to beautiful state parks, but an appealing laid-back vibe very different from the crowds and action of Orlando or Miami.

15. Greeley, Colorado

A lower cost of living and plentiful outdoor activities make cities like Greeley nice alternatives to pricey Denver and Boulder.

Cities With the Highest Migration Out

According to CoreLogic, when people leave the following 15 otherwise highly desirable cities, it is often for the expected reasons: cold weather, a high cost of living and high home prices that put home ownership out of reach for many residents.

1. New York, NY Metro Area

The presence of many international airports in the New York metropolitan area (including Newark International Airport in New Jersey) makes it an easy area to travel to and from, but population density and very high home prices made this a less appealing area for homebuyers in 2020. According to CoreLogic, for every one home purchase in the New York area in 2020, there were six homebuyers buying outside the area.

2. Los Angeles, California Metro Area

Overcrowding, traffic and average home prices of $989,157 have made some homebuyers head for more affordable cities, according to CoreLogic.

3. San Francisco, California Metro Area

A cultural mecca with beautiful weather and untold assets, San Francisco is also one of the most expensive cities in the country, with median home prices of $1.3 million. Pictured here: a residential neighborhood in the San Francisco Bay city of Berkeley.

4. San Jose, California Metro Area

Silicon Valley is famously expensive, and San Jose is the third most expensive city in the country with a average rent of $2,555.85 and median home prices of $1.28 million, according to Zillow.

5. Washington, DC Metro Area

The center of American political life, the Washington metro area is the 7th most expensive city in the country, according to Move.org.

6. Miami, Florida Metro Area

Known for its beautiful weather, Miami and surrounding areas are also becoming known for high home prices that have made the area less appealing for homebuyers.

7. Seattle, Washington

With average home prices of $600,000 and a reputation for an exploding population leading to congestion, Seattle has become one coastal city many looking for a more affordable cost of living have been fleeing.

8. Greater Boston Area

Boston has the 4th highest cost of living in the country according to Move.org, with an average monthly rent of $2,420.26.

9. Chicago, Illinois Metro Area

Chicago is the third most populous city in the US, and ranks number 15 on the list of the most expensive cities in the country.

10. San Diego, California Metro Area

San Diego offers plenty of outdoor activities and mild weather. But it is also a city with a high cost of living and a median home price of $645,300.

11. Orlando, Florida Metro Area

Orlando's population growth is currently outpacing other metro areas in Florida, and a shortage in rentals and homes has made it a competitive housing market.

12. Denver, Colorado Metro Area

Exploding populations and home prices were reasons for a migration of homebuyers out of the Denver area in 2020.

13. Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City has a higher overall cost of living than the national average, making it one of the cities that homeowners are leaving for more affordable options.

14. Portland, Oregon

Beloved for its quirky citizenry and natural beauty, Portland is nevertheless becoming increasingly pricey with the influx of California residents who, according to the US Census Bureau, are the largest source of Portland's new residents, and who are used to paying very high home prices.

15. Minneapolis, Minnesota Metro Area

Known for its bitter cold winters, Minneapolis is an appealing city that many are nevertheless departing for warmer climes down South.