L
ooking to buy or invest in a home that will appreciate by 2026? The Midwest stands out. Its mix of growing industries, affordable prices, expanding amenities and rising populations makes it attractive for buyers and investors alike. Jacob Naig, real‑estate investor and agent at We Buy Houses in Des Moines, says the best metros for 2026 are those with diversified employers, solid affordability and steady construction pipelines.
Key cities:
- Des Moines, IA – insurance, finance, data centers
- Kansas City, MO – logistics, advanced manufacturing
- Columbus, OH – semiconductors, tech‑adjacent services
- Madison, WI – healthcare, university R&D
- Omaha, NE – finance, defense/tech
- Grand Rapids, MI – medical, design, light manufacturing
- Indianapolis, IN – biotech, logistics
Under‑the‑radar spots such as university towns and spillover suburbs offer land for development, job incentives and short commutes. Examples: Ames, IA; Waukee‑Bondurant, IA; Cedar Rapids‑Marion, IA; Council Bluffs‑Carter Lake, NE; Fort Wayne, IN.
Young buyers gravitate to inner‑ring suburbs with new townhomes, good schools and amenities. Look at East Village and Gray’s Landing, IA; Ankeny and Waukee, WI; Columbus, OH; Kansas City, MO.
Long‑term value comes from strong job markets, modern housing and steady appreciation. Metros like Des Moines (Norwalk, Waukee, Bondurant), Omaha (Elkhorn, Papillion), Madison (Fitchburg, Sun Prairie), Columbus (Hilliard, New Albany), Grand Rapids (Kentwood, Wyoming) fit this profile.
