Executive Summary
- A WalletHub study for 2025 has named McKinney, Texas, the healthiest housing market in the United States.
- Five of the top ten cities in the ranking are located in Texas, specifically in the Dallas-Fort Worth suburban area.
- The report suggests that midsize cities are outperforming major metropolitan areas due to a balance of growth, housing availability, and economic stability.
A new analysis by WalletHub has identified the healthiest real estate markets in the United States for 2025, with McKinney, Texas, securing the top position. The study, which evaluated 300 cities, found that five of the top ten healthiest markets are located in Texas, highlighting a trend towards growth in midsize cities rather than major metropolitan areas like Austin and Dallas.
The report based its rankings on two primary dimensions: the real estate market itself and the local affordability and economic environment. These categories were broken down into 17 specific metrics, including home price appreciation, job growth, and unemployment rates, to create a comprehensive score for each city.
According to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo, the high-ranking Texas cities—McKinney, Frisco, Richardson, Denton, and Allen—excel in both key dimensions. “The rankings reflect strong performance across factors such as median home-price appreciation, job growth, and the share of newer housing, all of which contribute to long-term stability,” Lupo told Business Insider.
The study suggests that midsize cities currently offer a distinct advantage. “Most of the top-ranking cities fall into the midsize population category, which suggests that market health in this year’s rankings is closely tied to environments that are growing, but not yet at the scale of major metropolitan areas,” Lupo explained. He added that these cities often provide newer housing inventory and affordability that better aligns with local incomes.
Top 10 Healthiest Housing Markets for 2025
The following cities were ranked highest based on a 100-point scale, with median home listing prices sourced from Realtor.com.
10. Allen, TX
Total score: 66.35
Median home listing price: $524,900
9. Denton, TX
Total score: 66.52
Median home listing price: $389,900
8. Nashville, TN
Total score: 67.49
Median home listing price: $549,000
7. Gilbert, AZ
Total score: 67.82
Median home listing price: $625,000
6. Frisco, TX
Total score: 68.1
Median home listing price: $710,000
5. Richardson, TX
Total score: 68.11
Median home listing price: $455,000
4. Durham, NC
Total score: 69.69
Median home listing price: $425,000
3. Irvine, CA
Total score: 70.44
Median home listing price: $1,700,000
2. Cary, NC
Total score: 71.33
Median home listing price: $597,500
1. McKinney, TX
Total score: 72.33
Median home listing price: $525,000
The findings indicate that strong economic fundamentals combined with a robust real estate environment are key drivers of market health. The prevalence of cities from Texas and North Carolina in the top 10 suggests a broader shift towards markets that offer both growth potential and relative affordability.
