Zillow economists use an economic model known as the Zillow Market Heat Index to gauge the competitiveness of housing markets across the country. <\/p>\n
This model looks at key indicators\u2014including home price changes, inventory levels, and days on the market\u2014to generate a score showing whether a market favors sellers or buyers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Higher scores point to hotter, seller-friendly metro housing markets. Lower scores signal cooler markets where buyers hold more negotiating power.<\/p>\n
According to Zillow: <\/p>\n
- \n
- Score of 70 or higher = strong seller\u2019s market<\/li>\n
- Score from 55 to 69 = seller\u2019s market<\/li>\n
- Score from 44 to 55 = neutral market<\/li>\n
- Score from 28 to 44 = buyer\u2019s market<\/li>\n
- Score of 27 or lower = strong buyer\u2019s market<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/figure>\n Nationally, Zillow rates the U.S. housing market at 55 in spring 2026.<\/p>\n
That said, Zillow\u2019s reading varies significantly across the country.<\/p>\n
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Among the 250 largest metro-area housing markets, these 20 are the hottest markets, where sellers have the most power:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Rochester, New York \u2192 174 <\/li>\n
- Buffalo \u2192 115 <\/li>\n
- Racine, Wisconsin \u2192 109 <\/li>\n
- Syracuse, New York \u2192 107 <\/li>\n
- San Francisco \u2192 105<\/li>\n
- Charleston, West Virginia \u2192 103 <\/li>\n
- Manchester, New Hampshire \u2192 96 <\/li>\n
- Hartford, Connecticut \u2192 94 <\/li>\n
- San Jose \u2192 90 <\/li>\n
- Albany, New York \u2192 90 <\/li>\n
- Milwaukee \u2192 87 <\/li>\n
- Bridgeport, Connecticut \u2192 85 <\/li>\n
- Rochester, Minnesota \u2192 84 <\/li>\n
- Poughkeepsie, New York \u2192 81 <\/li>\n
- Madison, Wisconsin \u2192 81 <\/li>\n
- Ann Arbor, Michigan \u2192 81 <\/li>\n
- Boston \u2192 80 <\/li>\n
- Grand Rapids, Michigan \u2192 80 <\/li>\n
- Springfield, Massachusetts \u2192 79 <\/li>\n
- Abilene, Texas \u2192 79<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Among the 250 largest metro-area housing markets, these 20 are the coldest markets, where buyers have the most power:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Macon, Georgia \u2192 25 <\/li>\n
- Terre Haute, Indiana \u2192 25 <\/li>\n
- Florence, South Carolina \u2192 27 <\/li>\n
- Naples, Florida \u2192 29 <\/li>\n
- Brownsville, Texas \u2192 30 <\/li>\n
- Gulfport, Mississippi \u2192 30 <\/li>\n
- Longview, Texas \u2192 30 <\/li>\n
- Jackson, Tennessee \u2192 34 <\/li>\n
- Fort Smith, Arkansas \u2192 35 <\/li>\n
- Punta Gorda, Florida \u2192 36 <\/li>\n
- McAllen, Texas \u2192 37 <\/li>\n
- Cape Coral, Florida \u2192 37 <\/li>\n
- Miami \u2192 38 <\/li>\n
- Fayetteville, Arkansas \u2192 38 <\/li>\n
- Asheville, NC \u2192 38 <\/li>\n
- Laredo, Texas \u2192 38 <\/li>\n
- Panama City, Florida \u2192 38 <\/li>\n
- North Port, Florida \u2192 39 <\/li>\n
- Port St. Lucie, Florida \u2192 39 <\/li>\n
- Corpus Christi, Texas \u2192 39<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Does ResiClub<\/em> agree with Zillow\u2019s assessment?<\/p>\n
Directionally, ResiClub<\/em> agrees with Zillow\u2019s identification of regional housing markets where buyers have gained the most leverage\u2014particularly along the Gulf Coast\u2014as well as markets where sellers have retained relatively more control, including parts of the Northeast and Midwest.<\/p>\n
That said, while many Northeast and Midwest markets still tilt toward sellers compared to the rest of the country, ResiClub<\/em> believes Zillow somewhat overstates the degree of seller strength based on other market indicators.<\/p>\n
Based on ResiClub<\/em>\u2019s housing analysis, much of Florida (particularly Southwest Florida) and chunks of Texas (particularly areas with a lot of new single-family home construction) are the softest chunk of the U.S. housing market, where buyers have the most power. Not too far behind are pockets of Colorado, Georgia, and Arizona, where homebuilders have been clearing some built-up unsold spec inventory.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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