10 Best Metros for First-Time Home Buyers

Most people don't buy their first home in the city where housing is the best value. They buy where they’re already renting, living and working — where their life is.

That's what makes this list different. Zillow analyzed the 50 largest U.S. metros to find where first-time buyers have the best shot right now. The list is based on factors like:

• How much of the typical income goes to rent (and how much is left to save for a house)
• What share of homes for sale fit a typical household's budget
• How much competition home buyers will face

The result: 10 cities, mostly in the Sun Belt and Midwest, where conditions are substantially better than the national average. In the strongest of these markets, up to 68% of listings are considered affordable to a median-income household.

Here's the list.

1. Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville is Zillow's top market for first-time buyers this year for good reason. Nearly half of listings are affordable to a median-income household, and the typical home is valued around $349,000 — down about 2% from last year. Rent takes up about 23% of income, leaving more room to save.

The market here is moving at a slower pace than in recent years, with homes taking around 46 days to go pending. That gives buyers time to compare options and negotiate. With 5.9 affordable listings per 100 renters — the highest ratio on this list — competition for entry-level homes is more manageable than in most big metros.

📍 Dig deeper into Jacksonville neighborhoods

2. Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham has one of the strongest affordability profiles on this list. More than half of listings are within reach for a median-income household, and the typical home is valued around $259,000. Rent takes up just 21% of income, one of the lowest burdens among the top 10.

Homes here move in about 15 days, so buyers should be ready to act when the right one comes along. With 6.2 affordable listings per 100 renters — the highest on the entire list — first-time buyers face less competition for each home than almost anywhere else in the country. Values are up modestly (just +1.3% since last year), which means buyers are entering a stable market and less likely to find themselves in a bidding war.

📍Homes in Birmingham

3. San Antonio, Texas

Rent here takes up just 20% of income — one of the lowest burdens among these 10 cities — which can make saving for a down payment feel more realistic. Nearly half of listings are affordable, and the typical home is valued around $279,000, down about 2% from last year.

Sellers are meeting buyers where they are: 27% of listings have had a price cut, and inventory has grown about 8% since last year. Growing inventory and higher price cuts mean first-time buyers have more choices and more room to negotiate than they did a year ago.

📍Homes in San Antonio

4. Atlanta, Georgia

More than a third of Atlanta households are ages 29–43, so first-time buyers here are more likely to find neighbors in a similar chapter, starting careers and families alongside them. About 45% of listings are within budget for a typical household, and the typical home is valued around $380,000, down about 2.5% from last year.

That price dip, combined with inventory up about 3% year over year, has opened up more options. About one in four listings has a price cut. First-time buyers get a big-city job market with a lower entry point than most, and sellers here are willing to negotiate.

📍Dig deeper into Atlanta neighborhoods

5. Houston, Texas

Houston stands out for its large population of buyers in their prime home-buying years — 40% of households are ages 29–43, the largest peer community on this list. The typical home is valued around $307,000, down about 2% since last year, and inventory is up nearly 12%.

Slightly lower home values coupled with increasing inventory means more options and less pressure. One in four listings has had a price cut, giving buyers real leverage to negotiate. Rent takes up about 23% of income, and 40% of listings are affordable to a median-income household. Homes take about 34 days to go pending — slower than last year — so buyers have more time to make a thoughtful decision.

📍Dig deeper into Houston neighborhoods

6. St. Louis, Missouri

A median-income household can afford roughly two out of three listings here — 68%, the highest share on the list. The typical home is valued around $271,000. Rent takes up less than 20% of median income, the lowest burden among these 10 cities.

The tradeoff: Homes go under contract here in a median of just 6 days, so buyers need to be prepared to move quickly when they find the right fit. Getting pre-approved before you start shopping is especially important in St. Louis. With values up about 2.7% since last year, buyers are stepping into a market that's affordable now and still building equity over time.

📍Homes in St. Louis

7. Detroit, Michigan

Inventory is up more than 14% year over year in Detroit, giving buyers noticeably more options than a year ago. The typical home is valued around $263,000 — up about 3% from last year — and roughly two-thirds of listings are within budget for a typical household.

Homes still sell quickly — about 12 days to go pending — so getting pre-approved before you shop is key. Rent takes up about 22% of income. Values are climbing, inventory is growing, and the entry point is accessible. Detroit shoppers are enjoying solid equity upside at a relatively workable price point.

📍Homes in Detroit

8. Raleigh, North Carolina

No metro on this list has added inventory faster than Raleigh — listings are up 26% from a year ago. Buyers have more choices and less pressure to rush. About 29% of listings have had a price cut, and homes are taking about 15 days to go pending — a bit slower than last year.

Raleigh also has the lowest rent burden on this list: just 18% of median income. That leaves more room to save, and nearly half (48%) of what's on the market fits a typical household's budget. The typical home is valued around $436,000 — which comes in the highest on this list — but improving conditions and a strong job market are making it easier for first-time buyers to get in.

📍Dig deeper into Raleigh neighborhoods

9. Baltimore, Maryland

At 62%, the share of affordable listings here is one of the highest on this list. The typical home is valued around $400,000. Rent takes up about 21% of income, leaving room to build savings, and inventory is up about 7% from last year.

Homes move fast — a median of 8 days to go pending — so buyers who are pre-approved will have an edge. Baltimore offers a combination of accessibility and proximity to major job centers that's hard to match on the East Coast.

📍Dig deeper into Baltimore neighborhoods

10. Louisville, Kentucky

More than half of what's on the market here is within budget for a typical household, and the typical home is valued around $278,000 — up about 2.4% from last year. Rent takes up about 21% of income.

Inventory has grown more than 23% year over year, and homes are taking about 12 days to go pending. A year ago, there were fewer options, with less room to negotiate. That's changed. Buyers now have more listings to compare and more leverage when they find the right home.

📍Homes in Louisville

What these markets have in common

These 10 metros share a combination of advantages: 

• Rent that takes up a smaller share of income
• A higher share of listings that are affordable
• Less competition for each home

These factors matter because the biggest barrier for most first-time buyers isn't the monthly payment — it's building a real down payment. When rent is manageable, saving for a down payment becomes more realistic. When more listings are within budget, the search feels less like a lottery. And when fewer buyers are competing for each affordable home, there's more room to negotiate and less pressure to rush.

What to do if your city isn't on the list

This ranking covers the 50 largest U.S. metros, and conditions vary block by block, not just city by city. Pockets of opportunity exist in even expensive markets — especially as inventory continues to rebuild nationally. A few things that can help no matter where you are:

• Know what you can actually afford. Zillow's BuyAbility tool gives you a personalized estimate based on your income, credit profile, and current rates — and it updates in real time as rates change and as you search. That clarity can keep you from wasting time on homes that are out of reach, or from underestimating what you can buy.
• Check for down payment help. Zillow flags down payment assistance programs directly on listings, so you can see what you might qualify for as you browse. Many first-time buyers don't realize these programs exist — or assume they won't qualify. It's worth checking.
• Get pre-approved before you start shopping seriously. In fast-moving markets, a pre-approval letter signals to sellers that you're ready. In slower markets, it gives you a clear budget to work with.
• Connect with an agent who knows your market. An experienced local agent can help you spot opportunities, negotiate effectively, and avoid common first-time buyer mistakes. You can find and compare agents directly on Zillow.

What to do if your city is on the list

If you're already in one of these markets, conditions are working in your favor more than they have in years. More listings are within reach, and you're facing less competition for each one.

That means more room to be thoughtful, to compare homes, revisit options, and negotiate on price or terms. A good agent can help you make the most of these conditions.

How the ranking works

Zillow analyzed the 50 largest U.S. metros using four measures:

• Rent affordability: the share of median household income spent on typical rent.
• Affordable listings: the share of for-sale listings affordable to a median-income household.
• Competition: the number of affordable listings relative to the number of renter households.
• Peer community: the share of households headed by people ages 29–43, a key home-buying cohort.

Feeling inspired by our best metros for first-time home buyers? Browse Cities That Pay You to Move There: A Guide to 11 Programs for even more moving inspiration.