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Hartford · Housing Market · Real Estate · Zillow
Hartford, Connecticut, has been named Zillow's top housing market for the year, dethroning Buffalo, New York, due to inventory levels 63% below pre-pandemic levels and 66% of homes selling above list price last year.
Hartford's inventory deficit is the largest among the 50 largest U.S. metros by population. The area also recorded the second-lowest share of homes with a price cut, at 16.5%.
Zillow's chief economist, Mischa Fisher, stated that competition among buyers will be stiff, giving sellers the upper hand in these markets. Home values in Hartford grew 4.6% last year, leading all major metros, according to Zillow.
Zillow projects continued price growth of 3.9% annually in 2026 for Hartford. Buffalo, the previous top market for 2024 and 2025, now ranks second, maintaining a strong seller's advantage.
The New York metro area, including parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, ranks third, driven by a positive home price forecast, strong employment, and a low 13.5% share of listings with price cuts.
