Realtor.com's 2026 Report Reveals South Dominates New Home Construction Rankings
In its second annual report on the best metropolitan areas for new home construction, Realtor.com has identified that eight out of the ten top locations are found in the Southern United States. Notably, Charleston-North Charleston in South Carolina emerges as the leader, boasting a median listing price for newly built homes that is an attractive 12.2% lower than existing homes. With the median price for new constructions at $443,273 compared to $504,832 for existing properties, the advantages are clear for prospective buyers.
The report highlights how favorable market conditions, including builder-friendly environments, are creating avenues for buyers to find competitively priced homes. Charleston, receiving an overall score of 84.7 out of 100, is closely followed by Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC, and Boise City, Idaho, which takes the third position.
Joel Berner, Senior Economist at Realtor.com, emphasizes the importance of new construction in addressing housing supply issues. He noted that the Southern metros are not only increasing the number of new homes available but are also ensuring that these homes are priced competitively, making it realistic for buyers to consider new builds.
The ranking of new construction markets utilizes several weighted criteria; primarily the share of new construction listings, the average premium on new builds compared to existing homes, the climate risk between new and existing homes, and the overall market interest as indicated by page views and days on market for new homes. The influence of local regulations, zoning laws, and building codes plays a significant role in determining how readily new houses are constructed, particularly in these Southern regions.
The growth of smaller metropolitan areas is also notable, with many of the top-ranking cities in the report being of moderate size. This includes cities like Charlotte and Nashville that are ranked at 20th and 35th respectively in terms of overall metropolitan size in the U.S. The concentration of outstanding new construction options in smaller regions serves as a reminder that local conditions can significantly influence housing supply and affordability.
Interestingly, colleges and universities strongly anchor many of the successful metros on the list. These institutions not only bolster local employment but cultivate talent pipelines crucial for economic growth, which in turn fuels the demand for new housing. Areas such as Madison, WI, despite being the lone Midwestern representative among the top ten, showcases the demand for new homes with a staggering 108.4% above national averages for page views on new construction listings.
While Southern metros dominate the rankings, the report also acknowledges several honorable mentions, such as Richmond, VA, and Raleigh-Cary, NC, which further exemplify positive market conditions and the growing trend of new home construction. The data used in compiling these rankings was derived from listings on Realtor.com over the first half of 2026 and subsequently scores were calculated based on how each metro performed in key housing metrics.
As the landscape of home buying evolves, these insights from Realtor.com indicate a significant push towards new construction as a viable and appealing option for many house hunters in 2026. With the Southern states leading the charge, prospective buyers have more choices than ever when considering their next move in the property market.
The report highlights how favorable market conditions, including builder-friendly environments, are creating avenues for buyers to find competitively priced homes. Charleston, receiving an overall score of 84.7 out of 100, is closely followed by Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC, and Boise City, Idaho, which takes the third position.
Joel Berner, Senior Economist at Realtor.com, emphasizes the importance of new construction in addressing housing supply issues. He noted that the Southern metros are not only increasing the number of new homes available but are also ensuring that these homes are priced competitively, making it realistic for buyers to consider new builds.
The ranking of new construction markets utilizes several weighted criteria; primarily the share of new construction listings, the average premium on new builds compared to existing homes, the climate risk between new and existing homes, and the overall market interest as indicated by page views and days on market for new homes. The influence of local regulations, zoning laws, and building codes plays a significant role in determining how readily new houses are constructed, particularly in these Southern regions.
The growth of smaller metropolitan areas is also notable, with many of the top-ranking cities in the report being of moderate size. This includes cities like Charlotte and Nashville that are ranked at 20th and 35th respectively in terms of overall metropolitan size in the U.S. The concentration of outstanding new construction options in smaller regions serves as a reminder that local conditions can significantly influence housing supply and affordability.
Interestingly, colleges and universities strongly anchor many of the successful metros on the list. These institutions not only bolster local employment but cultivate talent pipelines crucial for economic growth, which in turn fuels the demand for new housing. Areas such as Madison, WI, despite being the lone Midwestern representative among the top ten, showcases the demand for new homes with a staggering 108.4% above national averages for page views on new construction listings.
While Southern metros dominate the rankings, the report also acknowledges several honorable mentions, such as Richmond, VA, and Raleigh-Cary, NC, which further exemplify positive market conditions and the growing trend of new home construction. The data used in compiling these rankings was derived from listings on Realtor.com over the first half of 2026 and subsequently scores were calculated based on how each metro performed in key housing metrics.
As the landscape of home buying evolves, these insights from Realtor.com indicate a significant push towards new construction as a viable and appealing option for many house hunters in 2026. With the Southern states leading the charge, prospective buyers have more choices than ever when considering their next move in the property market.
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