10 Best Markets for First-Time Homebuyers This Spring

Consider heading south if you’re looking to buy a home this spring.

The Sun Belt came out on top in a new Zillow analysis ranking the most popular housing markets for first-time homebuyers, with six markets in the top 10.

Each housing market’s ranking was evaluated based on rent affordability, the share of affordable listings for median income households, the number of affordable listings per 100 renter households and the number of households headed by individuals ages 29-43. And if relocating to a Sun Belt city doesn’t sound like it’s in your wheelhouse, each of the 10 markets to rank boast affordable listings of 40% or greater for median income households.

See which 10 housing markets rank as the best for first-time buyers this spring.

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1. Jacksonville, Florida

• Share of median household income spent on typical rent: 23.1%

• Affordable listings for median-income household (February 2026): 47.8%

• Affordable listings per 100 renter households: 5.9

• Share of population ages 29–43: 36.3%

2. Birmingham, Alabama

• Share of median household income spent on typical rent: 21.1%

• Affordable listings for median-income household (February 2026): 55.6%

• Affordable listings per 100 renter households: 6.2

• Share of population ages 29–43: 32.9%

3. San Antonio

• Share of median household income spent on typical rent: 20.2%

• Affordable listings for median-income household (February 2026): 47.4%

• Affordable listings per 100 renter households: 4.5

• Share of population ages 29–43: 36.4%

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4. Atlanta

• Share of median household income spent on typical rent: 22.3%

• Affordable listings for median-income household (February 2026): 45.2%

• Affordable listings per 100 renter households: 4.3

• Share of population ages 29–43: 37.4%

5. Houston

• Share of median household income spent on typical rent: 22.7%

• Affordable listings for median-income household (February 2026): 40.2%

• Affordable listings per 100 renter households: 3.1

• Share of population ages 29–43: 39.7%

6. St. Louis

• Share of median household income spent on typical rent: 19.5%

• Affordable listings for median-income household (February 2026): 67.7%

• Affordable listings per 100 renter households: 3.6

• Share of population ages 29–43: 33.3%

7. Detroit

• Share of median household income spent on typical rent: 21.8%

• Affordable listings for median-income household (February 2026): 64.8%

• Affordable listings per 100 renter households: 4.2

• Share of population ages 29–43: 32.8%

8. Raleigh, North Carolina

• Share of median household income spent on typical rent: 18.4%

• Affordable listings for median-income household (February 2026): 48%

• Affordable listings per 100 renter households: 2.7

• Share of population ages 29–43: 35.9%

9. Baltimore

• Share of median household income spent on typical rent: 21.5%

• Affordable listings for median-income household (February 2026): 61.8%

• Affordable listings per 100 renter households: 3.0

• Share of population ages 29–43: 34.5%

10. Louisville, Kentucky

• Share of median household income spent on typical rent: 20.9%

• Affordable listings for median-income household (February 2026): 54.1%

• Affordable listings per 100 renter households: 3.8

• Share of population ages 29–43: 33.8%

This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.

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