Which City Sits Atop the Fall 2026 Wall Street Journal, Realtor.com Housing Market Ranking?

Appleton, Wisconsin, ranks as the nation's top housing market due to a strong local economy, low housing and living costs, steady demand, improving inventory, and high quality of life. The 30-year mortgage rate averages 7.40%, raising monthly payments by 12%, making affordability a challenge. Most top markets are in the Midwest and Northeast, with homes spending less time on the market and offering lower monthly payments than the national average.