Zillow Anticipates Buffalo, N.Y., as Hottest 2025 Market

(Image courtesy of Zillow; Breakout image courtesy of Oudney Patsika/pexels.com)

Zillow, Seattle, predicted Buffalo, N.Y. will be the country’s hottest market this year.

Buffalo also topped the list last year–the first market to be named such for two straight years.

Rounding out the predictions for the top five are Indianapolis, Providence, R.I., Hartford, C.T., and Philadelphia.

Also in the top 10 are St. Louis, Charlotte, N.C., Kansas City, Mo., Richmond, Va., and Salt Lake City.

Relative affordability and supply trailing demand are what render these markets the “hottest,” Zillow noted. The list of hottest markets is based on an analysis of forecasted growth, recent housing market velocity and projected changes in the job market, construction activity and the number of homeowner households.

The spot that rose the fastest on the 2025 predictions list is Virginia Beach, Va., which jumped to No. 13, leaping 23 spots. Oklahoma City also saw a lift, up by 21 spots. And, Birmingham, Ala., similarly rose by 21 spots.

Memphis fell the farthest, by 30 spots.

Zillow also identified what it believed to be the coolest metro areas of this year, including New Orleans, San Francisco, San Jose, Calif., Portland, Ore., and Austin. They have weak demographic and job market pressures relative to the housing environment, and flat or falling home value projections, Zillow noted.