2026's Best and Worst States for Homebuyers

Realtor.com ranked the best and worst U.S. states to buy a home in 2026, and the list tilts heavily toward the Midwest and the South. Markets in those regions earned the top spots, the company said, while coastal states with high prices and tight inventory landed near the bottom.

The rankings reflect a market that remains difficult across the board. Mortgage rates are still elevated from prepandemic norms, and supply in many metro areas has not kept up with demand. Realtor.com evaluated factors including median listing prices, inventory levels, days on market, and employment trends to produce the order.

No single state dominates every category. The Midwest scored well on affordability and availability. Southern states benefited from population inflows and relatively more new construction. The West Coast and Northeast, where prices and borrowing costs collide, fared worst.

Realtor.com did not release the full methodology or the complete 20-state breakdown in its summary. The company said the full list is available through its online report.