Hartford, Connecticut: Leading the Way in Zillow’s Hottest Housing Markets of the Year

Move over Buffalo; there’s a new top housing market in town.

Hartford, Connecticut, has dethroned the northwest New York city as Zillow’s top housing market for the year. Buffalo held the No. 1 position on Zillow’s annual hottest markets forecast for two consecutive years.

Hartford’s rise to the top is attributed to a significant inventory shortage, with homes available being 63% below pre-pandemic levels—the largest deficit among the 50 largest U.S. metros. Remarkably, 66% of homes in Hartford sold above their list price last year, outperforming all other major metros. Additionally, the area recorded the second-lowest share of homes with price cuts, at just 16.5%.

Hartford, Connecticut, knocked Buffalo, New York, out of the No. 1 spot on Zillow’s annual list of the hottest housing markets for 2026.  (Patrick Sikes/Connecticut Post via Getty Images)

However, the outlook for buyers remains challenging. Zillow warns that “injections of inventory aren’t likely to come from either existing owners or builders; buyers should be prepared for bidding wars and broken hearts.”

AFFIRM TO OFFER BUY NOW, PAY LATER OPTION FOR RENT PAYMENTS

Zillow’s 2025 predictions list, which highlights a nation-leading appreciation forecast, ranked Hartford among the top five metros. This prediction proved accurate, as home values in Hartford grew faster than in any other major metro last year, increasing by 4.6% according to the report.

Looking ahead, Zillow projects that this upward trend will continue into the new year, with Hartford expected to lead price growth again in 2026, albeit at a slightly more moderate pace of 3.9% annually.

Hartford ranks at the top partly because inventory is 63% below pre-pandemic levels. (Brad Horrigan/Hartford Courant/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

‘BUY NOW, PAY LATER’ SERVICES ARE DANGEROUS TRAP FOR YOUNG AMERICANS, FINANCIAL EXPERT WARNS

Zillow’s chief economist, Mischa Fisher, emphasized that competition among buyers will be fierce, giving sellers a significant advantage in hot markets like Hartford. “Shoppers will need to tap all the resources they can muster in these fast-moving markets, from their team of experts to tech aids to financial assistance, but successful buyers will quickly gain equity,” Fisher noted.

HOUSING EXPERT WARNS PRE-PANDEMIC AFFORDABILITY LEVELS MAY NEVER RETURN IN AMERICA

Buffalo, which ranked as the hottest housing market in both 2024 and 2025, now holds the No. 2 position on the latest list. Sellers maintained a strong negotiating advantage throughout last year, giving the metro the highest competition score on Zillow’s market heat index among major cities.

Sixty-six percent of homes sold above list price in Hartford last year, topping all other major metros. (John Woike/Tribune News Service via Getty Images via Getty Images)

The New York metro area, which includes parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, isn’t far behind.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

This area ranks third on the list due to a positive home price forecast, strong employment, and the lowest share of listings with price cuts among major metros at just 13.5%.

Move over Buffalo; there’s a new top housing market in town.

Hartford, Connecticut, has dethroned the northwest New York city as Zillow’s top housing market for the year. Buffalo held the No. 1 position on Zillow’s annual hottest markets forecast for two consecutive years.

Hartford’s rise to the top is attributed to a significant inventory shortage, with homes available being 63% below pre-pandemic levels—the largest deficit among the 50 largest U.S. metros. Remarkably, 66% of homes in Hartford sold above their list price last year, outperforming all other major metros. Additionally, the area recorded the second-lowest share of homes with price cuts, at just 16.5%.

Hartford, Connecticut, knocked Buffalo, New York, out of the No. 1 spot on Zillow’s annual list of the hottest housing markets for 2026.  (Patrick Sikes/Connecticut Post via Getty Images)

However, the outlook for buyers remains challenging. Zillow warns that “injections of inventory aren’t likely to come from either existing owners or builders; buyers should be prepared for bidding wars and broken hearts.”

AFFIRM TO OFFER BUY NOW, PAY LATER OPTION FOR RENT PAYMENTS

Zillow’s 2025 predictions list, which highlights a nation-leading appreciation forecast, ranked Hartford among the top five metros. This prediction proved accurate, as home values in Hartford grew faster than in any other major metro last year, increasing by 4.6% according to the report.

Looking ahead, Zillow projects that this upward trend will continue into the new year, with Hartford expected to lead price growth again in 2026, albeit at a slightly more moderate pace of 3.9% annually.

Hartford ranks at the top partly because inventory is 63% below pre-pandemic levels. (Brad Horrigan/Hartford Courant/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

‘BUY NOW, PAY LATER’ SERVICES ARE DANGEROUS TRAP FOR YOUNG AMERICANS, FINANCIAL EXPERT WARNS

Zillow’s chief economist, Mischa Fisher, emphasized that competition among buyers will be fierce, giving sellers a significant advantage in hot markets like Hartford. “Shoppers will need to tap all the resources they can muster in these fast-moving markets, from their team of experts to tech aids to financial assistance, but successful buyers will quickly gain equity,” Fisher noted.

HOUSING EXPERT WARNS PRE-PANDEMIC AFFORDABILITY LEVELS MAY NEVER RETURN IN AMERICA

Buffalo, which ranked as the hottest housing market in both 2024 and 2025, now holds the No. 2 position on the latest list. Sellers maintained a strong negotiating advantage throughout last year, giving the metro the highest competition score on Zillow’s market heat index among major cities.

Sixty-six percent of homes sold above list price in Hartford last year, topping all other major metros. (John Woike/Tribune News Service via Getty Images via Getty Images)

The New York metro area, which includes parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, isn’t far behind.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

This area ranks third on the list due to a positive home price forecast, strong employment, and the lowest share of listings with price cuts among major metros at just 13.5%.