With 2026 now reaching its mid-point, Realtor.com is analyzing the nationwide housing market to better understand which local markets are seeing the most demand. In its Summer 2026 Housing Market Ranking, the online real estate marketing platform looks at the 200 largest metros in the U.S. and ranks them based on their economic health, livability, and overall buyer demand. Overall, the report found that the South and West are seeing activity slow down while the Northeast and Midwest continue to see demand outrun supply.

Which markets topped the list?

The most in-demand markets were predominantly located in the Midwest and Northeast, where supply is generally scarce and prices are more attainable for the local buyer. The South Bend, Ind., metro topped the list, followed by Appleton, Wis., Lancaster, Pa., Canton, Ohio, and then Springfield, Mass.

What do these markets have in common?

Overall, the top markets identified in the report have home prices that are more in line with local incomes. Assuming today’s mortgage rates and a 20% down payment, and aiming to keep housing costs at or below 30% of household income, the median household income in top-ranked markets falls an average of 8.1% below the recommended level needed to purchase a home, compared with the typical 19.6% figure observed across the 200 largest U.S. metros.

Five of the top 20 markets saw incomes actually exceed that affordability threshold. Peoria, Ill., Akron, Ohio, Youngstown-Warren, Ohio, Canton-Massillon, Ohio, and Rockford, Ill., all posted household incomes between 5.4% and 55.2% above the recommended level for buying a home.