Top 10 ZIP Codes Homebuyers Will Chase in 2025

Top Real Estate Markets of 2025 Highlight Suburbs and Smaller Cities

The real estate market in 2025 is showing a clear shift toward suburban and smaller city areas near major metropolitan regions, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest. According to an annual report, these areas have become the most sought-after due to factors like high demand, quick home sales, and competitive pricing.

Beverly, Massachusetts, located just 20 miles northeast of Boston, has secured the top position on the list. The area sees listings that receive 4.6 times more views than the national average, with homes selling in a median of 16 days in June—more than a month faster than the national average. This trend reflects a growing preference for locations that offer both affordability and proximity to urban centers.

Nationwide, the median time a home spends on the market in June was 53 days. However, Realtor.com does not provide a national average for listing views, making it difficult to compare directly with the data from Beverly and other hotspots.

Key Trends in the 2025 Real Estate Market

The 2025 rankings for the hottest ZIP codes are dominated by the Northeast and Midwest, continuing a trend seen in previous years. Leominster, Massachusetts, and Ballwin, Missouri, both made appearances on last year’s list, indicating sustained interest in these areas.

According to Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com, this geographic pattern is largely driven by buyers from high-cost cities such as Boston or New York City. These buyers are seeking affordable alternatives without sacrificing access to jobs and amenities. “Many of these neighborhoods also offer newer homes than the surrounding areas, highlighting the critical role of new and infill construction in meeting today's buyer demand—even in a tough market,” she explains.

While several ZIP codes had median listing prices above the national median of $441,000, six of the 10 were more affordable than their surrounding metro areas. For instance, Beverly’s median list price of $719,000 is significantly lower than the $855,000 median in the Boston metro area. However, in some cases, listing prices exceed those in nearby major cities. Marlton, New Jersey, for example, had a median listing price of $530,000 in June, which is well above the $387,000 median in the adjacent Philadelphia metro area.

This trend is likely fueled by higher-income buyers looking for more space and value in suburban areas while still maintaining access to major job centers.

Demographics of the Hottest Markets

Despite the relative affordability of these ZIP codes, they tend to attract wealthier buyers. Among the top 10 markets, the median household income is nearly double the national figure. Buyers in these areas also tend to make larger down payments and are generally older, with a median age of 56.

These trends suggest that while the cost of living in these areas may be lower compared to major cities, the demographic profile of buyers remains affluent. This could indicate a long-term shift in how people are choosing where to live, balancing cost, convenience, and quality of life.

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