W
ashington, D.C. has emerged as the most sought-after major city in the US for property ownership, while Kansas City in Missouri boasts the cheapest real estate, according to a new study from Badeloft USA that analyzed 40 major cities with active real estate markets. The capital's high demand reflects a national trend of buyers seeking urban centers balancing lifestyle quality, economic potential, and long-term value.

    The study ranked cities based on criteria such as average home price, size, availability, and online interest measured through Google search volume. Washington, D.C. dominated the ranking with an average of 461.3 real estate searches per available home, despite having only 3,300 homes currently on the market. The city's monthly search activity reaches 1.5 million, with an average home price of $589,100.

    San Diego, California ranks second with 216.7 searches per home and an average property cost of around $1 million. Fresno, California takes third place, exemplifying a different kind of market competitiveness with only 1,143 homes for sale and 197.7 searches per house. Its appeal is rooted in affordability and space, with the average home costing $382,300.

    California dominates the ranking, with half of the top 10 most-desired major cities for real estate being in the state. Los Angeles takes fourth place with 126 searches per home, driven by over 1.1 million monthly searches, while Sacramento ranks fifth with 114.3 searches per home and a more-affordable market compared to Los Angeles.

    Kansas City, Missouri stands out for its affordability, offering the cheapest average home price among the top 10 at $232,800 and the second-largest average home size at 2,008 square feet. Albuquerque in New Mexico comes next, with 107.4 searches per home and the most-spacious houses on the list—averaging 2,078 square feet.

    The study highlights a shift in how buyers assess value, focusing on affordability, lifestyle, and supply constraints. "You used to expect New York or Miami to reign, solely on the strength of brand," said Jacob Naig, a Des Moines-based real estate agent and investor. "Now, buyers are increasingly focusing on what they're getting for their money in terms of actually being able to live there."