Special Report

Cities Where Home Values Are Rising the Fastest

Samuel Stebbins

Published: August 6, 2021 10:15 am

In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. home sales slumped. Since then, however, the market has come roaring back — and rising demand, in conjunction with a relatively low supply of housing, has caused home values to surge.

According to estimates from Zillow, a Seattle-based real estate data company, between June 2020 and June 2021, the typical single-family American home appreciated in value from $255,008 to $293,349, a 15.0% increase. Of course, housing markets also respond to local forces, and in some parts of the country, home values have appreciated at more than double the national rate.

In 50 cities and towns with populations of 50,000 or more, home values have appreciated by at least 26.0% over the past year. In some of them, the value of a typical family home has surged by more than 42.7%. Though these communities span the country, they tend to be concentrated in the Western United States.

One factor that can contribute to rapidly climbing home prices at a local level is demand. And demand for housing is often precipitated by a growing population. According to the most recent available Census data, 41 of the 50 cities and towns on this list reported population growth over the last one-year period.

Home prices are also largely dictated by what local residents can afford, and rising home values can often be the result of rising incomes. Of the 50 places on this list for which income data is available, 50 reported year-over-year growth in median household income, based on the most recent available data Census data.

Source: Renphoto / iStock via Getty Images

50. Lehi, Utah
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +26.0% (+$108,644)
> Median home value; June 2021: $526,157
> 1-yr. population change: +4.1% (+2,498)
> Population: 64,006
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +6.8% (+$6,082)
> Median household income: $95,510

These are all the counties in Utah where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

49. Gilbert, Arizona
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +26.1% (+$97,752)
> Median home value; June 2021: $472,655
> 1-yr. population change: +2.4% (+5,770)
> Population: 243,254
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +4.9% (+$4,507)
> Median household income: $96,857

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

CSX Clearwater Subdivision - Pinellas Park, Florida (CC BY-SA 4.0) by Jackdude101

48. Pinellas Park, Florida
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +26.1% (+$48,802)
> Median home value; June 2021: $235,861
> 1-yr. population change: +1.1% (+566)
> Population: 52,857
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +11.1% (+$4,942)
> Median household income: $49,652

These are all the counties in Florida where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Stored airliners at Goodyear, ... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Alan Wilson

47. Goodyear, Arizona
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +26.2% (+$83,339)
> Median home value; June 2021: $401,764
> 1-yr. population change: +3.7% (+2,895)
> Population: 80,371
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +4.4% (+$3,530)
> Median household income: $83,866

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sundry Photography / iStock via Getty Images

46. Pleasanton, California
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +26.2% (+$296,221)
> Median home value; June 2021: $1,426,417
> 1-yr. population change: +1.1% (+870)
> Population: 81,717
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +5.1% (+$7,548)
> Median household income: $156,400

These are all the counties in California where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

45. Mesa, Arizona
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +26.3% (+$74,517)
> Median home value; June 2021: $358,328
> 1-yr. population change: +1.7% (+8,526)
> Population: 499,720
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +6.4% (+$3,481)
> Median household income: $58,181

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Greg Thomsen / iStock via Getty Images

44. Peoria, Arizona
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +26.3% (+$83,049)
> Median home value; June 2021: $399,025
> 1-yr. population change: +2.2% (+3,624)
> Population: 168,196
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +3.1% (+$2,284)
> Median household income: $75,323

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: gregobagel / Getty Images

43. Spokane, Washington
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +26.3% (+$71,574)
> Median home value; June 2021: $343,686
> 1-yr. population change: +1.2% (+2,549)
> Population: 217,353
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +5.2% (+$2,484)
> Median household income: $50,306

These are all the counties in Washington where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: benedek / iStock via Getty Images

42. Spokane Valley, Washington
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +26.6% (+$76,325)
> Median home value; June 2021: $363,620
> 1-yr. population change: +1.6% (+1,492)
> Population: 97,562
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +5.0% (+$2,451)
> Median household income: $51,961

These are all the counties in Washington where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Norm Lane / iStock via Getty Images

41. Largo, Florida
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +26.6% (+$55,475)
> Median home value; June 2021: $263,992
> 1-yr. population change: +1.1% (+887)
> Population: 84,130
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +4.5% (+$1,907)
> Median household income: $44,323

These are all the counties in Florida where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: BCFC / Getty Images

40. Scottsdale, Arizona
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +26.7% (+$144,037)
> Median home value; June 2021: $684,324
> 1-yr. population change: +1.9% (+4,576)
> Population: 250,602
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +4.3% (+$3,612)
> Median household income: $88,213

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: dszc / iStock via Getty Images

39. Glendale, Arizona
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +26.7% (+$70,231)
> Median home value; June 2021: $333,159
> 1-yr. population change: +0.9% (+2,299)
> Population: 247,813
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +5.2% (+$2,706)
> Median household income: $55,020

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

38. Bridgeport, Connecticut
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +26.8% (+$56,955)
> Median home value; June 2021: $269,675
> 1-yr. population change: –0.5% (-778)
> Population: 145,639
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +2.7% (+$1,221)
> Median household income: $46,662

These are all the counties in Connecticut where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

37. Layton, Utah
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +26.8% (+$93,928)
> Median home value; June 2021: $444,203
> 1-yr. population change: +1.5% (+1,091)
> Population: 76,197
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +3.4% (+$2,538)
> Median household income: $77,426

These are all the counties in Utah where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: miroslav_1 / Getty Images

36. Flagstaff, Arizona
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +26.9% (+$107,638)
> Median home value; June 2021: $507,639
> 1-yr. population change: +1.7% (+1,200)
> Population: 72,402
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +4.9% (+$2,733)
> Median household income: $58,748

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: adamkaz / iStock via Getty Images

35. Tracy, California
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +27.0% (+$142,697)
> Median home value; June 2021: $671,438
> 1-yr. population change: +2.1% (+1,869)
> Population: 90,675
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +4.1% (+$3,656)
> Median household income: $92,046

These are all the counties in California where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Entering Surprise, Arizona (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Ken Lund

34. Surprise, Arizona
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +27.0% (+$77,357)
> Median home value; June 2021: $363,701
> 1-yr. population change: +1.9% (+2,546)
> Population: 135,450
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +6.0% (+$3,916)
> Median household income: $69,076

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Tomsmith585 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

33. Castro Valley, California
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +27.1% (+$235,524)
> Median home value; June 2021: $1,105,638
> 1-yr. population change: –0.4% (-275)
> Population: 63,013
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +6.6% (+$6,672)
> Median household income: $108,488

These are all the counties in California where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

32. La Mesa, California
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +27.2% (+$162,591)
> Median home value; June 2021: $760,187
> 1-yr. population change: -0.0% (-6)
> Population: 59,556
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +3.3% (+$2,104)
> Median household income: $66,051

These are all the counties in California where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Orem, Utah Water Works (CC BY 2.0) by Marc Palumbo

31. Orem, Utah
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +27.3% (+$95,250)
> Median home value; June 2021: $444,613
> 1-yr. population change: +1.4% (+1,297)
> Population: 96,725
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +5.2% (+$3,217)
> Median household income: $64,590

These are all the counties in Utah where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Dreamframer / Getty Images

30. Phoenix, Arizona
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +27.4% (+$75,266)
> Median home value; June 2021: $350,077
> 1-yr. population change: +1.4% (+22,946)
> Population: 1,633,017
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +4.9% (+$2,694)
> Median household income: $57,459

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sundry Photography / iStock via Getty Images

29. Union City, California
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +27.6% (+$251,673)
> Median home value; June 2021: $1,164,901
> 1-yr. population change: +0.2% (+121)
> Population: 74,722
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +8.8% (+$9,233)
> Median household income: $114,681

These are all the counties in California where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Cheri Alguire / iStock via Getty Images

28. Casa Grande, Arizona
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +27.8% (+$58,430)
> Median home value; June 2021: $268,895
> 1-yr. population change: +2.5% (+1,337)
> Population: 55,653
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +7.7% (+$3,772)
> Median household income: $52,841

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Arizona (CC BY 2.0) by GPA Photo Archive

27. Avondale, Arizona
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +27.8% (+$72,604)
> Median home value; June 2021: $333,544
> 1-yr. population change: +1.6% (+1,344)
> Population: 84,736
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +4.9% (+$2,887)
> Median household income: $61,825

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: jmoor17 / Getty Images

26. Lake Havasu City, Arizona
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +27.8% (+$85,271)
> Median home value; June 2021: $391,544
> 1-yr. population change: +1.0% (+543)
> Population: 54,495
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +4.7% (+$2,418)
> Median household income: $53,605

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

25. Cleveland, Ohio
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +28.1% (+$20,146)
> Median home value; June 2021: $91,757
> 1-yr. population change: –0.5% (-2,116)
> Population: 385,282
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +6.5% (+$1,899)
> Median household income: $30,907

These are all the counties in Ohio where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: johnnya123 / Getty Images

24. Ogden, Utah
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +28.4% (+$71,464)
> Median home value; June 2021: $323,137
> 1-yr. population change: +0.8% (+707)
> Population: 86,833
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +7.0% (+$3,254)
> Median household income: $50,061

These are all the counties in Utah where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images

23. Missoula, Montana
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +28.5% (+$103,562)
> Median home value; June 2021: $467,571
> 1-yr. population change: +2.2% (+1,585)
> Population: 73,710
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +5.4% (+$2,416)
> Median household income: $47,426

These are all the counties in Montana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Stephen Couch / iStock via Getty Images

22. San Tan Valley, Arizona
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +28.8% (+$77,515)
> Median home value; June 2021: $346,235
> 1-yr. population change: +3.7% (+3,462)
> Population: 96,692
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +0.8% (+$531)
> Median household income: $67,880

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

21. Jackson, Mississippi
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +29.1% (+$14,981)
> Median home value; June 2021: $66,445
> 1-yr. population change: –1.5% (-2,479)
> Population: 166,383
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +3.5% (+$1,325)
> Median household income: $38,888

These are all the counties in Mississippi where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Murmakova / iStock via Getty Images

20. St. Petersburg, Florida
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +29.1% (+$64,246)
> Median home value; June 2021: $284,709
> 1-yr. population change: +0.9% (+2,297)
> Population: 261,338
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +5.9% (+$3,166)
> Median household income: $56,982

These are all the counties in Florida where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Historic downtown Buckeye as seen from Monroe Avenue in October 2015 (CC BY-SA 4.0) by Marine_69-71

19. Buckeye, Arizona
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +29.2% (+$76,035)
> Median home value; June 2021: $336,176
> 1-yr. population change: +6.3% (+4,114)
> Population: 69,744
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +8.8% (+$5,775)
> Median household income: $71,707

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: JamesBrey / Getty Images

18. Bend, Oregon
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +29.7% (+$147,031)
> Median home value; June 2021: $641,497
> 1-yr. population change: +3.8% (+3,417)
> Population: 93,917
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +3.5% (+$2,194)
> Median household income: $65,662

These are all the counties in Oregon where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Lisa McCabe / Getty Images

17. Toms River, New Jersey
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +30.7% (+$74,385)
> Median home value; June 2021: $317,016
> 1-yr. population change: +0.6% (+542)
> Population: 89,254
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +3.2% (+$2,488)
> Median household income: $79,889

These are all the counties in New Jersey where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: benedek / Getty Images

16. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +31.1% (+$116,656)
> Median home value; June 2021: $491,257
> 1-yr. population change: +1.9% (+931)
> Population: 50,540
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +4.5% (+$2,180)
> Median household income: $51,073

These are all the counties in Idaho where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Steven_Kriemadis / Getty Images

15. Detroit, Michigan
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +31.2% (+$12,596)
> Median home value; June 2021: $52,905
> 1-yr. population change: –0.3% (-2,314)
> Population: 674,841
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +4.8% (+$1,413)
> Median household income: $30,894

These are all the counties in Michigan where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

14. Waterbury, Connecticut
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +32.1% (+$43,350)
> Median home value; June 2021: $178,519
> 1-yr. population change: –0.4% (-396)
> Population: 108,276
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +1.9% (+$784)
> Median household income: $42,401

These are all the counties in Connecticut where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

13. Youngstown, Ohio
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +33.9% (+$9,934)
> Median home value; June 2021: $39,229
> 1-yr. population change: +0.1% (+49)
> Population: 64,783
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +6.9% (+$1,871)
> Median household income: $28,822

These are all the counties in Ohio where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images

12. Austin, Texas
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +35.7% (+$147,967)
> Median home value; June 2021: $562,723
> 1-yr. population change: +1.6% (+15,052)
> Population: 950,807
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +6.1% (+$4,114)
> Median household income: $71,576

These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images

11. Georgetown, Texas
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +36.8% (+$118,090)
> Median home value; June 2021: $439,217
> 1-yr. population change: +6.3% (+4,200)
> Population: 71,004
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +3.4% (+$2,412)
> Median household income: $73,822

These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

10. Flint, Michigan
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +37.4% (+$11,122)
> Median home value; June 2021: $40,882
> 1-yr. population change: –0.6% (-602)
> Population: 96,559
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +4.0% (+$1,117)
> Median household income: $28,834

These are all the counties in Michigan where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / iStock via Getty Images

9. Pflugerville, Texas
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +39.7% (+$113,666)
> Median home value; June 2021: $400,254
> 1-yr. population change: +3.3% (+1,980)
> Population: 61,737
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +6.1% (+$5,395)
> Median household income: $93,627

These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Dmharris26 / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

8. Meridian, Idaho
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +39.9% (+$147,489)
> Median home value; June 2021: $517,003
> 1-yr. population change: +5.0% (+4,897)
> Population: 101,905
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +4.8% (+$3,258)
> Median household income: $71,389

These are all the counties in Idaho where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images

7. Cedar Park, Texas
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +41.0% (+$142,329)
> Median home value; June 2021: $489,474
> 1-yr. population change: +3.3% (+2,399)
> Population: 74,814
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +2.1% (+$2,174)
> Median household income: $104,019

These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: knowlesgallery / iStock via Getty Images

6. Boise City, Idaho
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +41.1% (+$144,307)
> Median home value; June 2021: $495,485
> 1-yr. population change: +0.8% (+1,815)
> Population: 226,115
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +5.7% (+$3,237)
> Median household income: $60,035

These are all the counties in Idaho where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images

5. Round Rock, Texas
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +41.7% (+$129,273)
> Median home value; June 2021: $439,069
> 1-yr. population change: +3.6% (+4,277)
> Population: 124,434
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +2.5% (+$2,039)
> Median household income: $82,676

These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Mike Worley / iStock via Getty Images

4. Caldwell, Idaho
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +42.6% (+$109,366)
> Median home value; June 2021: $366,380
> 1-yr. population change: +3.2% (+1,682)
> Population: 54,887
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +3.3% (+$1,587)
> Median household income: $49,046

These are all the counties in Idaho where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

leander1 (CC BY 2.0) by Texas State Library and Archives Commission

3. Leander, Texas
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +42.7% (+$133,469)
> Median home value; June 2021: $446,367
> 1-yr. population change: +15.7% (+7,297)
> Population: 53,716
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +10.2% (+$9,446)
> Median household income: $101,872

These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: knowlesgallery / Getty Images

2. Nampa, Idaho
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +42.8% (+$114,752)
> Median home value; June 2021: $382,977
> 1-yr. population change: +2.5% (+2,289)
> Population: 93,952
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +9.3% (+$4,155)
> Median household income: $48,846

These are all the counties in Idaho where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

1. Rochester, New York
> 1-yr. change in median home value: +47.5% (+$114,369)
> Median home value; June 2021: $355,292
> 1-yr. population change: –0.4% (-930)
> Population: 206,848
> 1-yr. change in median household income: +6.6% (+$2,191)
> Median household income: $35,590

These are all the counties in New York where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

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