Summary:

Buffalo, NY is predicted to have the hottest housing market in the US in 2025 by Zillow.
High job growth relative to new housing permits is a key driver of this trend.
Sellers held a strong negotiation advantage in Buffalo during 2024.
Hartford, CT also ranks among the top 5 hottest housing markets.
Lower-than-average home prices in Buffalo and other Midwest cities have increased demand.

Buffalo's Booming Real Estate Market: Zillow's 2025 Prediction

For the second year running, Zillow forecasts Buffalo, New York, as the most competitive housing market in the US for 2025. This surge is attributed to a high ratio of new jobs to newly permitted homes. Sellers in Buffalo enjoyed a significant negotiation advantage in 2024.

Key Factors Driving Buffalo's Housing Market:

High Job Growth: A significant number of new jobs compared to new housing construction fuels demand.
Seller's Market: Sellers maintained strong negotiating power in 2024.
Relatively Affordable: While not inexpensive, Buffalo offers lower average home values and rents compared to many other US cities, attracting buyers.

Buffalo Housing Market Statistics (2024):

Average Home Value: $260,537

While affordability has improved slightly, it remains a key consideration. The demand in Buffalo, along with other Midwest cities like Indianapolis, St. Louis, and Kansas City, has propelled them to the top of the rankings.

Beyond Buffalo: Other Hot Markets in 2025:

Zillow's analysis reveals hot markets spread across the Northeast, Great Lakes, South, Midwest, and West. Notably, Hartford, Connecticut, secured the 4th position on the list.

The complete list of Zillow's top 50 hottest markets for 2025 is shown below:

<table> <thead> <tr> <th>Rank</th> <th>Metropolitan Area</th> <th>2024 ZHVI</th> <th>2024 YoY Growth</th> <th>2025 Growth Forecast</th> <th>Jobs per New Home</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>1</td> <td>Buffalo, NY</td> <td>$260,537</td> <td>5.7%</td> <td>2.8%</td> <td>2.0</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2</td> <td>Indianapolis, IN</td> <td>$275,639</td> <td>3.6%</td> <td>3.4%</td> <td>0.5</td> </tr> <tr> <td>3</td> <td>Providence, RI</td> <td>$484,019</td> <td>6.7%</td> <td>3.7%</td> <td>1.3</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4</td> <td>Hartford, CT</td> <td>$363,298</td> <td>6.5%</td> <td>4.2%</td> <td>1.1</td> </tr> <tr> <td>5</td> <td>Philadelphia, PA</td> <td>$362,744</td> <td>4.6%</td> <td>2.6%</td> <td>1.5</td> </tr>  </tbody> </table>

Note: The full table is not included here due to length constraints. Refer to the original source for the complete list.

Source: NBC New York