Fastest-Rising Home Values: City Rankings as of September 30, 2026}

Current Market Snapshot

As of September 30, 2026, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate sits at 7.03% and the 15-year at 6.42%, per FRED data released September 24. The 10-year Treasury yield is 5.24%, producing a 1.79% spread. These financing conditions coincide with a national housing market where home values are projected to rise in 41 of the 50 largest metros.

Fastest-Rising Home Values Cities 2026

Zillow’s 2026 forecast identifies Hartford, CT as the metro expected to post the largest home-value gains. The Northeast and California Bay Area metros dominate the remainder of Zillow’s hottest-markets list, underscoring a regional concentration of price momentum.

Decade-Long Appreciation Leaders

Kansas City stands out in long-term data. Its Zillow Home Value Index climbed from roughly $123,000 in 2016 to $255,647 in 2026—an increase of 107.2%, well above the national 81% average. Redfin data for the three months ending May 2026 show a median sale price of $305,000, up 8.9% year-over-year.

Year-to-Date Price Trajectory

After flat performance in December 2025 and January 2026, national home-value growth is forecast to peak near 1.9% in August 2026 before moderating. The trajectory supports modest price gains through year-end without broad depreciation.

Migration and Inventory Dynamics

Redfin migration data for April–June 2026 reveal net outflows from high-cost coastal metros:

Metro	Net Outflow
Los Angeles, CA	28,700
New York, NY	27,100
Seattle, WA	24,700
San Francisco, CA	22,400
Chicago, IL	18,300

These outflows coincide with rising demand in lower-cost inland markets, reinforcing price pressure in metros such as Kansas City and Hartford.

Affordability Outlook

Zillow notes that affordability is projected to improve across most large metros in 2026, even as values rise, because income growth is expected to outpace price appreciation. Hartford is the lone large metro where affordability is forecast to worsen, underscoring its position as the hottest 2026 market.

Implications for Buyers and Sellers

Elevated mortgage rates at 7.03% continue to favor sellers in supply-constrained metros. Markets with stronger inventory gains, such as Atlanta and Raleigh, may see more balanced conditions. Prospective buyers can run live scenarios at HomeRates.ai to model payment changes under different rate and price assumptions.

Bottom Line

Hartford, CT leads Zillow’s 2026 appreciation forecast, while Kansas City posts the largest ten-year gain at 107.2%. With 30-year rates at 7.03% and values projected to rise in 41 of 50 major metros, price momentum remains intact but regionally uneven.