If moving to Columbus, OH, is on your to-do list, get your best offers in early because this Midwest city tops the list of the most popular housing markets in the U.S. for 2024.

Columbus: A Rising Star

Columbus, a bustling college city with a population of over 2 million, has risen to the top of Realtor.com’s Most Popular Markets 2024 list. It earned high marks for its relatively low cost of living and low unemployment rate. Investments from tech giants like Intel, Google, and Amazon have driven people to the city, making it a robust market with a young and vibrant energy, thanks in part to Ohio State University.

Why Columbus?

The average price of a home in Columbus is $384,784. While high interest rates have somewhat affected home sales, the market remains competitive. Last summer, the average sale was 101% of the asking price; this summer, it’s hovering around 99.5%.

The Broader Picture

Realtor.com calculated a city’s popularity by looking at the cities that attracted the highest levels of buying interest in the past year. Larger cities like New York City, Dallas, Chicago, Miami, and Tampa attracted the most views across the country. However, when adjusted for market size, midsize cities—such as Columbus; Knoxville, TN; Louisville/Jefferson, KY; and Pittsburgh—were more popular with shoppers.

Regional Traffic Index

Realtor.com also created a Regional Traffic Index, which analyzes the amount of interest coming from within and outside the city’s region. A greater share of traffic from outside the region implies greater national appeal and potentially a more competitive market¹. For Columbus, 67.9% of interest came from the Midwest, 13.7% from the Northeast, 15.4% from the South, and 4.6% from the West.

Top 10 Markets

Among the top 10 most popular markets identified by Realtor.com, five are in the South, three are in the Northeast, and two are in the Midwest. None are in the West. Realtor.com economist Jiayu Xu notes that housing affordability and warmer weather are key considerations for today’s homebuyers.

Conclusion

Columbus had the highest number of views per property, but it wasn’t the only factor economists considered. Markets receiving high national interest tend to face increased demand from buyers across the country, driving up prices, even beyond what local buyers can afford.. In contrast, markets with more regional or local interest typically experience more moderate price increases and more stable price trends.

For investors and real estate developers, Columbus represents a dynamic and promising market. With its growing economy, vibrant community, and strategic investments, it’s no wonder Columbus is attracting so much attention.