10 Fast-Growing Affordable Metros in the U.S. for 2026

Finding fast-growing affordable metros has become much harder after years of rising home prices. But some rapidly expanding U.S. markets still combine strong population growth with housing values that remain far below those of the country’s most expensive metros.

The result is a group of fast-growing affordable metros concentrated heavily in the South.

Eight of the 10 have median owner-occupied home values at or below the national figure of approximately $360,600 in the Census data used for this comparison. The other two remain relatively close to the national level while recording unusually strong population growth.

That does not mean every home in these metros is affordable or that every market is inexpensive. Property taxes, insurance, mortgage rates, local incomes, and neighborhood-level prices still matter.

But these metros stand out because they combine two characteristics that increasingly do not occur together: rapid population growth and comparatively moderate housing values.

For broader research on places that balance housing, affordability, and quality-of-life considerations, see our Best Places to Live research.

10 Fast-Growing Affordable U.S. Metros in 2026

Population growth comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 metropolitan-area population estimates.

Housing values use the latest consistent metro-level American Community Survey measure of median owner-occupied housing value. The national comparison figure is approximately $360,600.

Do not confuse these numbers with today’s asking prices or median sale prices. They provide a consistent way to compare housing values across metros, while current market data can be used separately to assess what buyers are encountering now.

How We Chose These Fast-Growing Affordable Metros

This is not a subjective list of places that simply “feel affordable.”

The candidate pool came directly from two Census rankings:

• The 10 metro areas with the highest percentage population growth between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025
• The 10 metro areas with the largest numerical population gains during the same period

That candidate pool includes some costly markets.

Seattle, Austin, Phoenix, Raleigh, Washington, D.C., and other high-growth metros appear prominently in the Census growth data but have substantially higher housing values than the places selected here.

We therefore compared the candidate metros using the latest consistent Census housing-value measure and selected the 10 with the lowest values.

This means “affordable” is relative to other fast-growing metros, not a claim that every household can afford every market on the list.

For a deeper look at the relationship between housing values and income, see our home price-to-income ratio by state.

1. Ocala, Florida

Population growth: 3.4%
2025 population: 442,660
Median owner-occupied home value: $275,600

Ocala was the fastest-growing U.S. metropolitan area by percentage between July 2024 and July 2025 among metros with populations of at least 20,000.

Its population increased from approximately 427,995 to 442,660 in one year.

Housing values remain well below the national level used in this comparison.

For current local-market context, Zillow’s Ocala housing data put the typical home value in the city of Ocala at approximately $268,444 in July 2026, down 2.8% from a year earlier.

Typical asking rent was approximately $1,578, compared with Zillow’s national typical rent of $1,962.

That combination makes Ocala notable: very rapid metro population growth alongside comparatively moderate housing costs in its core city.

But buyers should not assume that lower prices eliminate Florida’s other ownership costs.

Insurance, property-specific flood exposure, and maintenance can materially affect the actual monthly cost of owning a home. Those factors are particularly important when comparing Florida markets through a Housing Risk & Resilience lens.

2. Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Population growth: 3.2%
2025 population: 427,551
Median owner-occupied home value: $287,700

The Myrtle Beach metro ranked second nationally for percentage population growth.

Its population increased by approximately 13,244 people in one year, rising from 414,307 to 427,551.

Despite its coastal location and strong population growth, the metro’s median owner-occupied housing value remains well below the national level.

For current local-market context, Zillow data for the city of Myrtle Beach show a typical home value of approximately $324,532 in July 2026, while typical rent was about $1,697.

See the current figures through Zillow’s Myrtle Beach housing data.

The affordability story needs some caution, however.

The broader Myrtle Beach area includes a large tourism economy and significant condo and vacation-home inventory. Housing conditions can therefore differ substantially among:

• Myrtle Beach
• Conway
• North Myrtle Beach
• Inland communities
• Oceanfront condominium markets

Coastal insurance and storm exposure also need to be considered before assuming a lower purchase price translates into low total ownership cost.

3. Spartanburg, South Carolina

Population growth: 2.8%
2025 population: 407,656
Median owner-occupied home value: $257,800

Spartanburg combines one of the country’s strongest population growth rates with the lowest median housing value of any metro on this list.

The metro added approximately 10,928 residents between July 2024 and July 2025, growing by about 2.8%.

Its Census median owner-occupied home value is approximately $257,800.

For current local-market context, Zillow data for the city of Spartanburg show a typical home value of approximately $233,747 in July 2026, with typical rent around $1,372.

You can review those current figures through Zillow’s Spartanburg housing market data.

Spartanburg’s location also places it within the broader growth corridor of the Carolinas.

The metro sits between larger regional economic centers and has benefited from manufacturing, logistics, and broader Upstate South Carolina growth.

For households primarily focused on maintaining relatively low housing costs while moving to a growing Southern metro, Spartanburg is one of the strongest candidates in this analysis.

4. Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida

Population growth: 2.7%
2025 population: 874,790
Median owner-occupied home value: $305,400

Lakeland-Winter Haven added more than 23,000 residents in a single year.

Its population grew from approximately 851,434 in July 2024 to 874,790 in July 2025.

The metro’s position between Tampa and Orlando has made it an important Central Florida growth market.

Its median owner-occupied housing value remains below the national level used in this analysis.

For additional current-market context, Zillow data for the city of Lakeland put the typical home value at approximately $312,574 in July 2026, down 1.6% year over year.

Typical rent was approximately $1,727.

See the current figures through Zillow’s Lakeland housing market data.

The metro may appeal to households seeking access to Central Florida employment and amenities without paying housing costs associated with some larger Florida markets.

But Florida insurance conditions remain an important part of any affordability calculation.

5. Punta Gorda, Florida

Population growth: 2.7%
2025 population: 217,212
Median owner-occupied home value: $355,300

Punta Gorda is the smallest metro on this list by population, but it recorded one of the nation’s fastest growth rates.

Its population increased from approximately 211,456 to 217,212 between July 2024 and July 2025.

Its median owner-occupied home value is approximately $355,300, almost exactly in line with the national housing-value benchmark used in this analysis.

That makes Punta Gorda a different type of affordability candidate from Spartanburg or Ocala.

Housing is not exceptionally inexpensive.

Instead, Punta Gorda qualifies because it remains relatively moderate compared with many other high-growth metros, particularly coastal markets.

There is also a major caveat.

Southwest Florida is exposed to hurricanes, flooding, and potentially substantial homeowners insurance costs. A purchase that looks reasonable based on price alone can become considerably more expensive after insurance, flood coverage, and property-specific risks are included.

For Punta Gorda especially, affordability should be calculated using the complete ownership cost rather than the purchase price alone.

6. Huntsville, Alabama

Population growth: 2.6%
2025 population: 556,444
Median owner-occupied home value: $331,800

Huntsville added approximately 14,322 residents between July 2024 and July 2025.

The metro’s population reached approximately 556,444.

Housing values remain below the national benchmark, while Huntsville maintains an employment base that includes aerospace, defense, technology, and engineering.

For additional current-market context, Zillow’s Huntsville housing data show a typical home value in the city of Huntsville of approximately $290,453 in July 2026.

Typical rent was approximately $1,319, well below Zillow’s national figure.

Huntsville’s combination of:

• Population growth
• Professional employment
• Lower housing values
• Relatively moderate rents

makes it one of the most compelling affordability-growth combinations in this analysis.

That does not mean every Huntsville neighborhood is inexpensive. Local housing values vary, particularly between established neighborhoods, newer suburban developments, and higher-cost areas.

But at the metro level, Huntsville remains comparatively accessible based on the Census housing measure used for this ranking.

7. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Arkansas

Population growth: 2.4%
2025 population: 622,177
Median owner-occupied home value: $362,500

Northwest Arkansas continues to rank among the country’s fastest-growing metropolitan regions.

The Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metro added approximately 14,744 residents in one year, pushing its population above 622,000.

Its median owner-occupied housing value of approximately $362,500 is essentially in line with the national benchmark.

That is not cheap housing in an absolute sense.

But the metro remains far less expensive than many other rapidly growing employment-oriented markets.

For current local-market context, Zillow data for the city of Fayetteville show a typical home value of around $384,760, up approximately 4.2% year over year as of July 2026.

That recent price increase is worth watching.

Rapid population and employment growth can gradually erode the affordability advantage that originally attracted residents.

Northwest Arkansas therefore illustrates an important principle:

A metro can be relatively affordable today while quickly becoming less affordable if housing supply does not keep pace with demand.

8. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, Texas

Population growth: approximately 1.6%
2025 population: 7,904,627
Numerical population gain: 126,720
Median owner-occupied home value: $327,400

Houston is different from the smaller metros near the top of this list.

It did not make the Census top 10 based on percentage growth.

Instead, Houston ranked first in the entire country for numerical metro population growth, adding approximately 126,720 residents in a single year.

That is nearly the population of a small city added to one metro area.

Despite its enormous population and economic scale, housing remains relatively moderate.

Zillow’s July 2026 metro data show a typical Houston home value of approximately $307,199, compared with the national typical value of $371,757.

Typical rent was approximately $1,654, also below the national figure.

See Zillow’s current metro data in its July 2026 housing market report.

Houston’s housing advantage comes with important ownership-cost considerations.

Property taxes can be substantial in Texas, while flood, hurricane, and homeowners insurance exposure can vary greatly across the metro.

The lower purchase price is therefore only the beginning of the affordability calculation.

9. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas

Population growth: approximately 1.5%
2025 population: 8,477,157
Numerical population gain: 123,557
Median owner-occupied home value: $389,500

Dallas-Fort Worth ranked second nationally for numerical metro population growth.

The metro added approximately 123,557 residents between July 2024 and July 2025.

DFW is also the largest metro on this list, with a population approaching 8.5 million.

Housing is more expensive than in Houston or San Antonio, but it remains relatively moderate compared with other high-growth metros of similar economic scale.

Zillow’s July 2026 metro data put the typical Dallas-area home value at approximately $364,682, slightly below the national Zillow typical home value.

Typical rent was approximately $1,667, also below the national level.

Dallas-Fort Worth demonstrates why affordability should sometimes be measured relative to economic scale.

It is difficult to find a metro area with:

• More than 8 million residents
• Major corporate employment
• Strong population growth
• Home values close to the national level

However, DFW is extremely large geographically.

Housing costs in Frisco, Plano, or parts of Dallas can look very different from Fort Worth, Arlington, and outer suburban or exurban communities.

The metro average should therefore be treated as a starting point.

10. San Antonio-New Braunfels, Texas

Population growth: approximately 1.4%
2025 population: 2,813,140
Numerical population gain: 38,402
Median owner-occupied home value: $304,800

San Antonio-New Braunfels rounds out the list.

The metro added approximately 38,402 residents between July 2024 and July 2025, placing it among the Census Bureau’s top 10 metros nationally for numerical population growth.

Housing values remain substantially below the national benchmark.

Zillow’s July 2026 metro data show a typical San Antonio home value of approximately $278,613.

Typical rent was about $1,425, well below the national Zillow figure.

San Antonio therefore offers an unusual combination for a metro with nearly 3 million residents:

• Strong population growth
• Large employment base
• Home values below the national level
• Rents below the national level

Texas property taxes remain an important consideration for buyers, however.

A lower home price does not automatically mean a lower total monthly ownership cost.

Several Texas metros also appear in our analysis of the Best Buyer’s Markets in the U.S. in 2026, which looks at where buyers currently have greater negotiating leverage.

Why So Many of the Metros Are in the South

All 10 metros in this ranking are in states classified by the U.S. Census Bureau within the South region.

Three are in Florida:

• Ocala
• Lakeland-Winter Haven
• Punta Gorda

Three are in Texas:

• Houston
• Dallas-Fort Worth
• San Antonio

Two are in South Carolina:

• Myrtle Beach
• Spartanburg

Huntsville represents Alabama, while Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers represents Arkansas.

That concentration reflects the broader population movement documented in our analysis of where Americans are moving.

Southern states continue to receive substantial domestic migration and population growth.

Several also have:

• More developable land
• Large suburban growth corridors
• Significant new housing construction
• Lower housing values than many coastal California or Northeastern markets
• Growing employment centers

But continued growth can gradually reduce that affordability advantage.

Fast Growth Can Eventually Make a Metro Less Affordable

Population growth creates housing demand.

If a metro adds residents faster than it adds homes, prices and rents can rise.

That means the most successful “affordable growth” markets can eventually become victims of their own popularity.

Austin provides a useful example of why we did not automatically include every fast-growing metro.

The Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro added more than 53,000 residents between July 2024 and July 2025. But its housing costs remain materially higher than the metros selected here.

Similarly, Raleigh-Cary ranked among the country’s fastest-growing metros by percentage, but its housing values are considerably above the national level. Growth alone does not create affordability.

The crucial question is whether housing supply can expand fast enough to accommodate new residents without causing prices to separate dramatically from local incomes.

Our Housing Markets research examines those supply-and-demand dynamics more broadly.

Affordable Housing Does Not Mean Low Total Housing Cost

Home price is only one part of affordability. Two households buying homes at the same price can face very different monthly costs because of:

• Mortgage rates
• Property taxes
• Homeowners insurance
• Flood insurance
• HOA fees
• Utility costs
• Maintenance
• Local transportation costs

That is particularly relevant in this ranking because several selected metros are in Florida and Texas.

Florida markets can face substantial homeowners insurance and hurricane-risk costs.

Texas markets often combine lower home values with relatively high property taxes and location-dependent insurance risks.

Our Texas vs. Florida cost of living comparison examines those broader household-cost tradeoffs, while our Home Insurance vs Property Taxes by State analysis focuses specifically on two major recurring ownership costs.

Before relocating, compare the complete cost of ownership rather than simply choosing the metro with the lowest home value.

What About Renters?

Several places represented on this list also have current Zillow rent measures below the national level.

Zillow reported a national typical rent of approximately $1,962 in July 2026.

Examples included:

• Huntsville: approximately $1,319
• Spartanburg: approximately $1,372
• San Antonio: approximately $1,425
• Ocala: approximately $1,578
• Houston: approximately $1,654
• Dallas: approximately $1,667
• Myrtle Beach: approximately $1,697
• Lakeland: approximately $1,727

These figures use Zillow’s rental-market measures. Some refer to the named core city, while others are available at the broader Zillow metro-market level.

They are supplementary current-market context and should not be confused with the metro-level Census housing values used to construct this ranking.

They nevertheless show that several high-growth markets continue to offer rents below the current national Zillow benchmark.

That can make these markets relevant not only to homebuyers but also to households planning to rent before deciding where to purchase.

Should You Move to a Fast-Growing Metro?

Population growth is not automatically a recommendation.

These fast-growing affordable metros can be useful starting points for relocation research, but population growth alone does not make a metro the right choice for every household.

Rapid growth can indicate:

• Employment opportunity
• Household formation
• Migration demand
• New development
• Business investment
• Expanding amenities

But it can also produce:

• Traffic congestion
• Infrastructure strain
• Rising home prices
• Higher rents
• Crowded schools
• Longer commutes
• Pressure on utilities and public services

A fast-growing metro can therefore be attractive while simultaneously becoming more difficult to live in.

Before choosing one of these destinations, consider the following:

Housing:
Can you afford the specific neighborhood rather than just the metro average?

Income:
Will your expected local salary support the housing cost?

Taxes:
How do property, sales, and state income taxes affect your budget?

Insurance:
Are hurricanes, floods, hail, wildfires, or other risks likely to increase housing costs?

Transportation:
Will you need additional vehicles or face a significantly longer commute?

Employment:
Does the metro’s growth include industries relevant to your career?

Long-term supply:
Is enough housing being built to accommodate continued population growth?

Our Cities & Metro Areas research focuses on those more localized differences.

Which Metro Offers the Best Combination of Growth and Affordability?

There is no single winner for every household.

But several stand out for different reasons.

Lowest Housing Value: Spartanburg

Spartanburg has the lowest median owner-occupied home value in this group while also ranking third nationally for percentage metro population growth.

That is an unusually strong growth-to-housing-cost combination.

Fastest Growth: Ocala

Ocala recorded the highest percentage growth of any U.S. metro in the Census ranking while maintaining housing values well below the national level.

Strong Employment-and-Cost Combination: Huntsville

Huntsville combines rapid growth, comparatively moderate housing costs, and a large professional employment base.

Best Large-Metro Value: Houston

Houston added more residents numerically than any metro in the country while maintaining home values below the national level.

Best Big-City Housing Value: San Antonio

Among the large Texas metros, San Antonio combines strong numerical population growth with particularly low home values and rents.

The right choice depends on what matters most to your household.

Methodology and Data Sources

This ranking combines official population estimates with a consistent housing-value measure.

Step 1: Identify the Fastest-Growing Metros

The candidate pool came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 metropolitan-area population estimates.

We included all metros appearing in either:

• The top 10 U.S. metros by percentage population growth, or
• The top 10 U.S. metros by numerical population growth

for July 1, 2024, through July 1, 2025.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 Metro Population Estimates

Step 2: Compare Housing Values

We then compared the candidate metros using the latest consistent American Community Survey measure of:

Median value of owner-occupied housing units

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS Table B25077

The national comparison value in that dataset is approximately $360,600.

Step 3: Select the 10 Lowest Housing Values

From the high-growth candidate pool, we selected the 10 metros with the lowest median owner-occupied housing values.

This avoids creating an arbitrary affordability score.

It also means these are not necessarily the 10 cheapest metropolitan areas in America.

They are the metros with the lowest housing values among the country’s fastest-growing metros under this methodology.

Current Market Context

Where useful, this article also references Zillow’s July 2026 Home Value Index and Observed Rent Index.

Source: Zillow July 2026 Housing Market Report

For several smaller markets, the supplementary Zillow figures refer to the named core city rather than the entire Census metropolitan statistical area. Those figures are included only as current local-market context and are not used to determine the ranking.

Census and Zillow measures should not be treated as interchangeable.

The Census measure used here is the median value of owner-occupied homes from survey data, while Zillow’s Home Value Index estimates typical housing values using a different methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the fastest-growing affordable metros in the U.S.?

Under the methodology used here, leading examples include Ocala, Myrtle Beach, Spartanburg, Lakeland-Winter Haven, Punta Gorda, Huntsville, Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and San Antonio.

What is the fastest-growing affordable metro?

Ocala, Florida, had the highest percentage population growth among the metros selected, increasing approximately 3.4% between July 2024 and July 2025.

Which fast-growing metro has the cheapest housing?

Spartanburg, South Carolina, has the lowest median owner-occupied home value among the 10 metros in this ranking at approximately $257,800.

Which large metro offers the best housing value?

Houston stands out among very large metros. It added approximately 126,720 residents in one year, the largest numerical metro gain in the country, while its Census median owner-occupied home value remained below the national level.

Is Dallas still affordable?

Dallas-Fort Worth is no longer inexpensive in the way many smaller Southern metros are, but its housing values remain relatively moderate compared with other rapidly growing metros of similar economic scale. Zillow’s July 2026 typical metro home value was slightly below the national figure.

Is Florida still affordable?

Some Florida metros remain comparatively affordable based on home values, including Ocala and Lakeland-Winter Haven. But homeowners insurance, flood exposure, and other carrying costs can materially change the actual affordability calculation.

Are fast-growing metros always good places to buy?

No. Population growth can support housing demand, but rapid growth can also push prices higher. Buyers should consider supply, income growth, taxes, insurance, and local market conditions before purchasing.

Why isn’t Austin on the list?

Austin is growing rapidly, but housing values are higher than those of the metros selected under this methodology. This ranking prioritizes the lowest housing values within the Census high-growth candidate pool.

Why isn’t Raleigh on the list?

Raleigh-Cary ranked among the country’s fastest-growing metros by percentage, but its housing values are higher than those of the 10 metros selected here.

Does a lower home value mean a metro is truly affordable?

Not necessarily. True affordability depends on household income, mortgage rates, taxes, insurance, debt, and other living expenses. Home value is one important measure, not the entire affordability calculation.