As buyers return to neighborhoods in New York and San Francisco, the popularity of Midwestern suburbs is on the rise
(NASDAQ:RDFN) — Five of Redfin's 10 hottest neighborhoods of 2025 are in Midwest suburbs, according to a new report from Redfin (www.redfin.com), the technology-powered real estate brokerage. Pricey coastal cities are also in high demand, with neighborhoods in New York and San Francisco making the list as workers return to the office following the pandemic.
Redfin analyzed and ranked U.S. zip codes in the 150 most populous metro areas by year-over-year growth in listing views on Redfin.com and Redfin Compete Score—a measure of how difficult it is to win a home. All data represents January 1 - February 28. The neighborhoods are:
- Prospect Heights and Clinton Hill, NY
- Jenison, MI
- Campton Hills and St. Charles, IL
- Fairpoint, NY
- Polk Gulch and Russian Hill, CA
- Great Kills, NY
- Franklin, WI
- Prairie Village and Mission Hills, KS
- Lakeville, MN
- Bowie, MD
Brooklyn's Prospect Heights/Clinton Hill ranked number one, posting a 105% spike in home sales from a year ago. In total, three New York zip codes made this year's list.
"Workers wanted to get out of the crowded city during the pandemic, so they bought or rented properties in upstate New York or elsewhere in the country," said New York Redfin Premier agent Ian Rubinstein. "Many companies now require workers to be in the office at least two to three days a week—so people are coming back. In my opinion, Brooklyn has become even more popular than Manhattan."
While New York and San Francisco appear to be returning to pre-pandemic popularity, an emerging story is taking place in the center of the country: the rise of Midwestern suburbs.
"Midwest cities have risen in popularity because they're more affordable than cities in other parts of the country, but many buyers are now widening their search to the suburbs after being priced out of popular urban areas," said Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather. "These neighborhoods are generally a 15-20 minute drive to the downtown of a metro—a reasonable commute for workers—and have easy access to shopping, sought-after schools and recreational pursuits."
Homes are selling quicker than they did a year ago in each of the 10 hottest neighborhoods, bucking the national trend of homes selling nearly a week slower.
Another common theme among the hottest neighborhoods is a lack of homes for sale, with six of the top 10 posting a drop in active listings from a year ago. That means more eyeballs on the homes that are listed, with every one of the hottest neighborhoods recording a 100%-plus increase in the median number of listing views on Redfin.com. In comparison, the number of homes on the market increased 10.7% nationally in February on a seasonally adjusted basis.
1. Prospect Heights and Clinton Hill, NY
Zip code: 11238
Parent metro area: New York, NY
Median sale price: $1,397,000 (+3.9% YoY)
Median sale price of parent metro area: $753,000 (+7.6% YoY)
Median days on market: 44 (-12 days YoY)
Change in home sales: +105% YoY
Change in median views per listing: +136% YoY
Share of homes that sold above list price: 2%
With a mix of new apartment buildings and classic old brownstones, the neighborhoods covered by the 11238 zip code stretch north from Prospect Park and enjoy easy subway access to most of New York. The area is world-renowned for its diverse range of restaurants and entertainment options.
Redfin agent Rubinstein said the number of homes for sale is limited and interest from foreign buyers keeps demand high.
"Whenever I have a listing in Prospect Heights or Clinton Hill, I expect at least one call from a serious buyer overseas," he said, adding that many local and international buyers pay with cash. "Given the prices, and the wealth required to buy into these neighborhoods, clients are less concerned about high mortgage rates."
2. Jenison, MI
Zip code: 49428
Parent metro area: Grand Rapids, MI
Median sale price: $356,500 (-0.2% YoY)
Median sale price of parent metro area: $325,000 (-1.5% YoY)
Median days on market: 16 (-8 days YoY)
Change in home sales: +11% YoY
Change in median views per listing: +139% YoY
Share of homes that sold above list price: 24%
"Jenison is only 15 minutes to downtown Grand Rapids, where you can catch a game or a show, yet it feels almost rural—there's a lot of green space to move and grow," said local Redfin Premier agent Christine Kooiker. "Taxes are low, land is affordable and the broader Georgetown Township is very open to new development. Every time I drive by, I see a new subdivision that's half finished."
"The neighborhood has a small-town feel, with the typical Michigan friendliness, and people from big cities are moving here looking for that. And if they are missing the action, it's only two and a half hours to Chicago or Detroit."
3. Campton Hills and St. Charles, IL
Zip code: 60175
Parent metro area: Elgin, IL
Median sale price: $615,000 (+2.9% YoY)
Median sale price of parent metro area: $335,000 (+1.5% YoY)
Median days on market: 54 (-37 days YoY)
Change in home sales: +38% YoY
Change in median views per listing: +133% YoY
Share of homes that sold above list price: 36%
Campton Hills is a rural neighborhood around 10 miles southwest of Elgin, IL and 50 miles west of Chicago. Downtown St. Charles is only a few minutes away and offers plenty of restaurants and entertainment options—including the Arcada Theatre.
Local Redfin Premier agent Cynthia Stolfe said part of the area's appeal is its natural assets.
"It feels like almost every home that hits the market in Campton Hills and St. Charles has multiple offers," she said. "Illinois is so flat, but there are some nice rolling hills here. I tell people it's like living in a vacation town. In summer you can go boating, or water skiing or kayaking and there are parks and trails all along the river."
4. Fairport, NY
Zip code: 14450
Parent metro area: Rochester, NY
Median sale price: $350,000 (+9.4% YoY)
Median sale price of parent metro area: $220,000 (+15.8% YoY)
Median days on market: 8 (-2 days YoY)
Change in home sales: +48% YoY
Change in median views per listing: +127% YoY
Share of homes that sold above list price: 81%
Redfin Premier agent Kimberly Hogue said Fairport is a quaint village right on the Erie Canal—full of trendy restaurants, bars, breweries and distilleries. The village, 15 minutes' drive southeast of Rochester in the town of Perinton, even attracts celebrities—late night star Jimmy Fallon makes an annual pilgrimage to visit friends at a local pub.
"The waterfront is easily navigable on foot or by bike and is a destination on its own, with galleries, shops, parks and playgrounds," she said. "Like the Rochester real estate market overall, demand in Fairport is strong and inventory is low, which means most homes sell for more than their list price and get snatched up in under a week."
5. Polk Gulch and Russian Hill, CA
Zip code: 94109
Parent metro area: San Francisco, CA
Median sale price: $1,065,000 (+10% YoY)
Median sale price of parent metro area: $1,500,000 (+5% YoY)
Median days on market: 61 (-4 days YoY)
Change in home sales: -6% YoY
Change in median views per listing: +129% YoY
Share of homes that sold above list price: 24%
Polk Gulch (an area also known as Nob Hill) and Russian Hill are located in the heart of San Francisco, stretching north from the Tenderloin area to Fort Mason on the waterfront. Both neighborhoods are characterized by a mix of housing types—from mid-rise apartment buildings to larger Victorian and Edwardian homes.
"Many wealthy local and international tech workers—especially those in the booming AI sector—are looking to buy in these neighborhoods," said local Redfin Premier agent Ali Mafi. "People keep saying ‘San Francisco's back.' The truth is: it never left."
Mafi said Polk Gulch is famous for its food scene and nightlife, while Russian Hill is a little slower-paced.
"Young singles and families alike are looking for homes in Polk Gulch so they can be close to the action," he said. "You don't have to walk more than two blocks to find pretty much everything you need here."
6. Great Kills, NY
Zip code: 10308
Parent metro area: New York, NY
Median sale price: $700,000 (+4.3% YoY)
Median sale price of parent metro area: $753,000 (+7.6% YoY)
Median days on market: 44 (-26 days YoY)
Change in home sales: +19% YoY
Change in median views per listing: +121% YoY
Share of homes that sold above list price: 35%
Great Kills is a neighborhood on the south shore of Staten Island, with relatively easy access to Brooklyn and the rest of New York.
Redfin partner agent Lauren Levert said the neighborhood is lined with shops, restaurants and parks—including the new Brookfield Park—and has a marina with nightlife and restaurants.
"Buyers need to come in hot in Great Kills," she said. "Competition is fierce, with many homes going above list price to buyers with significant down payments."
7. Franklin, WI
Zip code: 53132
Parent metro area: Milwaukee, WI
Median sale price: $392,500 (+10.5% YoY)
Median sale price of parent metro area: $330,000 (+20% YoY)
Median days on market: 49 (-17 days YoY)
Change in home sales: +25% YoY
Change in median views per listing: +129% YoY
Share of homes that sold above list price: 40%
Franklin is the southern gateway to Milwaukee, with plenty of shopping and restaurants within a short drive and high-quality sporting facilities—including the Rock Sports Complex.
"It's a really attractive location for commuters who either work in downtown Milwaukee or in Chicago a few days each month," said local Redfin Premier agent Ben Ambroch.
"Franklin is not fully developed yet, so new construction is attracting buyers to the area. Many people are purchasing new builds because they can't find a home for the right price closer to central Milwaukee. One of the defining characteristics of homes in Franklin is really big lots—a perk for buyers who are tired of living on top of their neighbors."
8. Prairie Village and Mission Hills, KS
Zip code: 66208
Parent metro area: Kansas City, MO
Median sale price: $476,500 (-0.7% YoY)
Median sale price of parent metro area: $325,000 (+6.6% YoY)
Median days on market: 21 (-4 days YoY)
Change in home sales: -19% YoY
Change in median views per listing: +132% YoY
Share of homes that sold above list price: 44%
Prairie Village and Mission Hills are roughly 15 minutes south of downtown Kansas City on the Kansas side of the metro. The tree-lined neighborhoods include a wide range of home types, with some houses in Mission Hills going for over $10 million and others in Prairie Village going for $400,000. That's according to local Redfin Premier agent Jo Chavez, who said the most affordable homes are the hottest.
"If you can get a home in this zip code in the $400,000s—it's a big deal," she said."A lot of buyers in Kansas City are looking for homes between $300,000 to $500,000, so if anything comes up in Prairie Village at that price point, there is a lot of competition for it."
9. Lakeville, MN
Zip code: 55044
Parent metro area: Minneapolis
Median sale price: $495,000 (+2% YoY)
Median sale price of parent metro area: $382,000 (+6% YoY)
Median days on market: 43 (-19 days YoY)
Change in home sales: -7% YoY
Change in median views per listing: +116% YoY
Share of homes that sold above list price: 24%
Lakeville is popular because of sought-after schools, beautiful lakes and the easy commute—you can get to downtown Minneapolis in around 25 minutes. That's according to local Redfin Premier agent Kelly Yoon, who has lived in the community for over a decade.
"Every year, there's the weeklong Panorama of Progress festival celebrating Lakeville's history, which brings thousands of people downtown for fireworks and a big parade," she said.
"There aren't enough homes for sale here in Lakeville and that makes it really competitive—around 70% of sellers get multiple offers," said Emily Olson, another local Redfin Premier agent. "We had clients put in an offer $50,000 over asking recently, with a significant escalation clause, and they still lost out. Homes that are move-in ready get snapped up immediately."
10. Bowie, MD
Zip code: 20716
Parent metro area: Washington, D.C.
Median sale price: $512,288 (+2.7% YoY)
Median sale price of parent metro area: $558,990 (+4.5% YoY)
Median days on market: 31 (-5 days YoY)
Change in home sales: +31% YoY
Change in median views per listing: +140% YoY
Share of homes that sold above list price: 38%
Bowie is ideal for commuters, with Washington, D.C and Annapolis, MD located within 30-40 minutes' drive in either direction along Highway 50.
Local Redfin Premier agent Wemmy Collins said the area of Bowie covered by the 20716 zip code has a good mix of new development and homes that are a little bit older and more affordable.
"Every time I get a home listing in Bowie, I know it's going to sell fast. And whenever I see multiple offers, it's usually in the Bowie area," she said. "This zip code may be the last area in Bowie where you can find good deals."
To view the full report, including methodology and the three hottest zip codes in each of the top 100 metro areas, please visit: https://www.redfin.com/news/hottest-neighborhoods-2025/
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