# Where home values are actually rising in 2026 (and cooling)

> A read on the 2026 market — which regions are heating up, which are softening, and why.

_Market 2026 · Marcus Reed · Updated Jun 12, 2026 · 7 min read_

**Quick answer:** In 2026, affordable high-migration metros are still gaining value while some pandemic boomtowns cool. Where you buy matters more than when — regional trends diverge sharply this year, and national averages hide the real story.

## Key takeaways
- Affordable, high-migration interior metros are still appreciating.
- Some pandemic boomtowns are softening after rapid run-ups.
- Regional divergence is wide — national averages hide the real picture.
- Weigh local supply and migration over national headlines.

The 2026 market is a tale of two coasts and a strong interior. Affordable, high-migration metros are still climbing while some pandemic boomtowns cool.

_Reviewed against Rafter's methodology. Estimates are illustrative 2026 ranges; see https://raftercost.com/how-we-price._

Source: https://raftercost.com/insights/home-values-2026