Affordability became a central concern in 2025. With rising mortgage rates and tighter budgets, many buyers shifted their focus from competing in the hottest markets to getting the most value for their housing dollar.
Although the national median price per square foot hovered around $229 from January through November, several major metro areas offered noticeably more space for less money.
When considering both the median price per square foot and the typical home size, these markets emerged in 2025 as some of the best-value options among major U.S. metros, according to the Realtor.com® Most for Your Money Metro 2025 report.
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