Home sales activity across the United States has slowed compared with the frenzy seen during the pandemic housing boom.
Elevated mortgage rates, stubborn affordability problems, and limited entry-level inventory have reduced buyer activity in many metro areas.
Still, some states continue to post fast-moving housing conditions where sellers hold a strong advantage and buyers face intense competition.
National housing conditions now vary sharply by location. Some states are seeing longer selling timelines and more price cuts, while others continue to record homes selling quickly, multiple-offer situations, and strong sale-to-list ratios.
Findings show that strong buyer competition continues in states where housing supply remains tight, and new construction activity struggles to keep pace with demand.
1. Connecticut
Connecticut earned the top position in Construction Coverage’s 2026 housing market ranking with a composite score of 93.9.
Strong buyer competition, limited inventory, and elevated seller leverage continue to push homes off the market quickly across much of the state.
Key factors supporting Connecticut’s ranking include:
- Tight housing inventory across major metro areas
- Strong competition among buyers
- High shares of above-asking sales
- Fast-moving listings with shorter days on market
- Strong sale-to-list price ratios
Hartford has emerged as one of the country’s most competitive housing markets, helping strengthen Connecticut’s statewide performance.
Buyers continue to compete aggressively for available inventory, especially in suburban communities offering access to major employment centers in the Northeast corridor.
Limited new construction activity has kept supply constrained, creating an environment where sellers continue to receive favorable terms and above-asking offers.
In highly competitive markets like Connecticut, agents and sellers may also rely on visible offline marketing tools, including custom yard signs from Printmoz, to draw attention to new listings, open houses, and fast-moving properties.
Fast-moving listings and strong sale-to-list ratios helped Connecticut outperform every other state in the ranking.
2. New Jersey
New Jersey ranked second nationally with a composite score of 89.0. Tight housing supply and strong demand linked to nearby job centers continue to support fast-moving sales activity throughout the state.
Major conditions supporting New Jersey’s strong market include:
- Proximity to New York City and Philadelphia employment hubs
- High-income buyer demand
- Limited inventory across suburban communities
- Strong commuter demand
- Competitive bidding activity in desirable school districts
Proximity to New York City and Philadelphia gives many New Jersey communities continued access to high-income buyers searching for suburban housing options.
Competition has stayed elevated even as mortgage costs increased because inventory levels remain relatively low in many counties.
Higher home prices have not significantly weakened market activity in supply-constrained parts of the Northeast.
Buyers continue to compete for available homes, especially in commuter-friendly communities with strong transportation access and established school systems.
3. Rhode Island
Rhode Island placed third in the national ranking with a composite score of 87.8. Small-state inventory constraints continue to intensify housing competition across many local markets.
Several factors continue to strengthen Rhode Island’s housing market:
- Limited housing inventory statewide
- Dense population patterns in key markets
- Strong seller leverage
- Elevated shares of homes selling above asking price
- Reduced availability of new construction opportunities
Limited housing supply creates strong seller leverage even when buyer demand grows at a moderate pace.
Fewer available listings can quickly increase competition, especially in densely populated areas where new construction opportunities remain limited.
Short selling timelines and elevated shares of above-asking sales helped Rhode Island secure one of the strongest composite scores in the country. Buyers in many communities continue to face aggressive competition for available inventory.
4. New York
New York ranked fourth nationally with a composite score of 86.9. Housing strength across the state extends far outside New York City, with suburban and upstate regions also contributing to elevated market activity.
Important contributors to New York’s ranking include:
- Strong regional employment centers
- Transit-connected suburban demand
- Spillover demand tied to high-cost urban markets
- Inventory shortages in several metro areas
- Strong competition in suburban counties
Transit access, regional employment centers, and spillover demand continue to support competition in several housing markets throughout the state.
Buyers searching for alternatives to high-cost urban areas have increased activity in suburban counties and smaller metropolitan regions.
Inventory shortages continue to support stronger seller leverage across many New York markets.
Elevated competition has kept homes selling quickly despite broader national affordability concerns.
5. Massachusetts
Massachusetts secured the fifth position with a composite score of 79.6.
High housing costs have not significantly reduced demand across several parts of the state, especially in Greater Boston and nearby suburban communities.
Housing conditions in Massachusetts continue to benefit from:
- Strong technology and healthcare employment sectors
- High-income buyer demand
- Limited housing construction
- Tight suburban inventory
- Competitive sale-to-list pricing conditions
Strong employment centers continue to support buyer demand, particularly in technology, healthcare, education, and financial services sectors.
Limited housing production has also contributed to ongoing inventory shortages across many local markets.
Persistent competition and strong sale-to-list ratios helped Massachusetts maintain one of the country’s fastest-moving housing markets despite elevated home prices.
6. Wisconsin
Wisconsin ranked sixth nationally with a composite score of 78.4. Relative affordability combined with steady demand has supported strong housing activity across much of the state.
Wisconsin’s strong ranking is supported by:
- Lower housing costs compared with many coastal states
- Stable local job markets
- Competitive inventory conditions in major metro areas
- Strong activity in Milwaukee
- Continued buyer demand tied to affordability
Milwaukee helped reinforce Wisconsin’s strong ranking after placing fifth among the hottest large cities in Construction Coverage’s analysis with a score of 71.3.
Buyers continue to compete actively for available homes in several metropolitan areas where inventory remains limited.
Compared with many coastal housing markets, Wisconsin still offers lower home prices, helping attract buyers seeking more manageable monthly housing costs while maintaining access to stable job markets.
7. Illinois
Illinois earned the seventh position with a composite score of 76.7.
Chicago-area housing demand continues to support strong market activity despite slower national price growth.
Several conditions continue to strengthen Illinois housing activity:
- Strong demand tied to the Chicago metro area
- Relative affordability compared with coastal markets
- Tight suburban housing inventory
- Competitive bidding in desirable communities
- Strong activity in major employment corridors
Chicago ranked seventh among the country’s hottest large cities with a score of 68.6, reinforcing Illinois’ statewide performance.
Relative affordability compared with coastal metropolitan areas has helped sustain buyer demand across several local housing markets.
Inventory shortages in desirable suburban communities continue to create competitive conditions for buyers.
Homes priced appropriately still move quickly in many parts of the state.
8. New Hampshire
New Hampshire also posted a composite score of 76.7, placing eighth nationally after tie-breaking procedures.
Tight inventory and continued New England spillover demand have contributed to strong housing conditions throughout the state.
Major drivers supporting New Hampshire’s ranking include:
- Buyers relocating out of Massachusetts
- Low housing inventory levels
- Strong demand in commuter-accessible communities
- Interest in lower-density living environments
- Limited supply near major employment corridors
Buyers priced out of Massachusetts housing markets continue to search for alternatives in nearby New Hampshire communities.
Lifestyle preferences, lower population density, and regional commuting access have also contributed to buyer interest.
Limited inventory levels continue to create fast-moving conditions in many parts of the state, especially in communities located near major employment corridors.
2026 Is a Market of Local Extremes
Housing conditions across the United States continue to vary sharply by state and metro area in 2026.
Fast-selling housing markets remain heavily concentrated in the Northeast, while several Midwest states also continue posting strong competition and seller-friendly conditions.
National housing averages no longer tell the full story of the U.S. market. Local inventory conditions, buyer competition, affordability levels, and pricing strength now shape housing speed more than broader nationwide trends.
Markets with constrained supply and active buyer demand continue to favor sellers, while more balanced regions provide buyers with greater negotiating power and longer decision timelines.