W
alletHub’s 2025 “Healthiest Real Estate Markets” study ranked 300 U.S. cities on a 100‑point scale, weighing 17 metrics that cover home‑price appreciation, job growth, unemployment, new housing supply, and overall affordability. Texas emerged as a standout, claiming five of the top ten spots.
The state’s leaders—McKinney, Frisco, Richardson, Denton, and Allen—excel in both the real‑estate‑market score and the affordability‑and‑economic‑environment score, reflecting strong median price gains, robust employment growth, and a healthy mix of newer homes.
Austin and Dallas, despite their size and popularity, fell outside the top ten, likely because their larger metropolitan scale limits the rapid growth seen in midsize markets. WalletHub’s analyst Chip Lupo notes that midsize cities (populations roughly 200,000–500,000) often combine affordable housing, active building‑permit activity, and income levels that support long‑term stability.
**Top 10 Healthiest Housing Markets (2025)**
1. **McKinney, TX** – Total: 72.33; Real‑Estate Rank: 2; Affordability/Econ Rank: 3; Median Price: $525,000
2. **Cary, NC** – Total: 71.33; Real‑Estate Rank: 3; Affordability/Econ Rank: 10; Median Price: $597,500
3. **Irvine, CA** – Total: 70.44; Real‑Estate Rank: 1; Affordability/Econ Rank: 102; Median Price: $1,700,000
4. **Durham, NC** – Total: 69.69; Real‑Estate Rank: 4; Affordability/Econ Rank: 37; Median Price: $425,000
5. **Richardson, TX** – Total: 68.11; Real‑Estate Rank: 6; Affordability/Econ Rank: 58; Median Price: $455,000
6. **Frisco, TX** – Total: 68.10; Real‑Estate Rank: 14; Affordability/Econ Rank: 2; Median Price: $710,000
7. **Gilbert, AZ** – Total: 67.82; Real‑Estate Rank: 10; Affordability/Econ Rank: 9; Median Price: $625,000
8. **Nashville, TN** – Total: 67.49; Real‑Estate Rank: 5; Affordability/Econ Rank: 123; Median Price: $549,000
9. **Denton, TX** – Total: 66.52; Real‑Estate Rank: 11; Affordability/Econ Rank: 19; Median Price: $389,900
10. **Allen, TX** – Total: 66.35; Real‑Estate Rank: 21; Affordability/Econ Rank: 8; Median Price: $524,900
These rankings underscore Texas’s appeal to buyers seeking growth and affordability, with midsize cities offering a balanced blend of economic vitality and housing value.
