Nearly half of all homes in Frisco, Texas, were built in the last 14 years, propelling it to the No. 1 spot in WalletHub's 2026 real estate market report, according to LiveNOW from FOX. This rapid expansion of housing stock redefines what constitutes a strong market.

While many established markets contend with limited housing supply and affordability challenges, specific cities aggressively expand their housing options. These areas simultaneously attract new residents and investment, creating a distinct economic advantage.

The future of robust real estate markets will likely be defined by cities that can balance aggressive new construction with strong economic fundamentals, rather than relying solely on existing infrastructure or reputation. This approach challenges conventional wisdom about market strength.

Texas Markets: Growth, New Homes, and Affordability

  • Frisco, Texas, boasts nearly 47% of its homes constructed between 2010 and 2024, the highest proportion nationally, according to Themortgagepoint.
  • Despite this growth, Frisco ranks as the 95th most affordable city among 300 when comparing home prices to local income. This suggests a nuanced approach to affordability in a leading market.
  • McKinney, Texas, holds the nation's 10th position for building permits issued per capita, demonstrating its commitment to new supply. This city also registers the sixth-highest job growth rate nationally, exceeding 17% annually, as reported by themortgagepoint.com. These factors, alongside approximately 40% of its homes built since 2010, propelled McKinney to the overall second-place ranking, according to LiveNOW from FOX.

This combination of rapid housing expansion, robust job creation, and relative affordability creates a powerful draw, making these Texas cities magnets for new residents and investment.

Beyond Texas: Emerging Real Estate Hubs

Murfreesboro, Tennessee, secured the third position in the WalletHub report, reflecting growth patterns similar to the leading Texas cities. This city features a high percentage of homes constructed between 2010 and 2024, according to LiveNOW from FOX. It also maintains one of the nation's lowest unemployment rates.