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Home shoppers are paying particular attention to certain markets and that high buyer interest is creating fast home sales.
The Golden State stands out with six cities making the top 10 in the West in the Realtor.com® Hottest ZIPs by Region report.
The rankings take into account two aspects of the housing market: 1) market demand, as measured by unique viewers per property on Realtor.com and 2) the pace of the market as measured by the number of days a listing remains active on Realtor.com.
The hottest areas are those that have high demand from buyers—in other words, lots of unique viewers per each property listed for sale, and fast-selling homes, an indicator of limited supply.
While the Midwest and Northeast have dominated the nation’s hottest ZIP codes in recent years, the West—particularly California—is making its presence known.
But across all regions, hot ZIP codes share common traits: affordability relative to the surrounding metro, strong lifestyle amenities, and low inventory that encourages competition among buyers.
From California’s scenic and recreational hubs and Ohio’s mix of city and suburban affordability to Massachusetts’ balance of suburban convenience and metro access, these ZIP codes illustrate where buyers are focusing their attention in 2025.
California leads the West
More than half of the Western region’s hottest ZIP codes are in California, led by pricey Alamo (94507), where the median home price is $3 million. Other standout California markets include Salinas ($686,000), Granite Bay ($1.3 million), and Imperial ($439,000). Alamo and Granite Bay represent the high end of the market, but the other ZIP codes remain relatively affordable, attracting buyers seeking both value and lifestyle benefits.
These areas offer appealing quality-of-life perks such as access to outdoor recreation, scenic surroundings, and family-friendly communities. Low housing inventory in these metros continues to create competitive conditions, with homes selling quickly, often above listing price, reflecting both local demand and the broader trend of constrained supply in the Western region.
Midwest hot spots: Ohio and beyond
California isn’t the only standout. In the Midwest, Ohio features four metros among the top 10 hottest ZIP codes. Strongsville ($423,000), Columbus ($439,000), Toledo ($211,000), and Cuyahoga Falls ($196,000) highlight the region’s affordability relative to national norms.
A handful of the Midwest’s most active ZIP codes are familiar from national hot-spot lists. The top three rank among the nation’s 10 hottest ZIP codes, while the remaining fall within the top 50. While some higher-priced central-city areas like Columbus offer premium amenities, suburban options such as Rockford remain accessible to a broad range of buyers. This mix of pricing and quality of life makes Ohio and the surrounding Midwest a standout for prospective homeowners.
Northeast: Massachusetts and beyond
Massachusetts dominates the Northeast’s list of hottest ZIP codes, claiming four of the top 10. Beverly, ($746,000), Leominster ($441,000), and Wilbraham ($517,000) offer buyers access to suburban amenities without sacrificing proximity to economic hubs.
“The Massachusetts ZIPs featured here tend to be the more affordable ones within their metros, offering the chance to own a home while maintaining work in the major cities,” says Joel Berner, senior economist at Realtor.com. “Affordability relative to local median prices, combined with quality schools and amenities, continues to drive buyer interest in Massachusetts and the broader Northeast.”
In the Southern market, the Sun Belt initially surged during the post-pandemic buying frenzy, but the Mid-Atlantic states now lead, Berner points out. Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina collectively represent four of the top five Southern ZIP codes, with Texas and Florida trailing.
“Texas and Florida were major beneficiaries of the post-pandemic buying frenzy, but as the Sun Belt markets have cooled, the Mid-Atlantic ones have taken over,” Berner explains.
