Although the suburbs may not offer an exciting, fast lifestyle like cities often do, buyers continue to run to outlying metros in hopes of finding more affordable, larger homes. Many of the hottest ZIP codes in the country so far this year are farther out suburbs where many first-time buyers have higher chances at purchasing while others are smaller cities offering more than their dense counterparts can. Realtor.com’s senior economist says the suburbs today are much more diversified and integrated than before. After analyzing more than 29,000 ZIP codes, Realtor.com identified the 10 areas where properties were viewed the most so far this year. Read more to see the full list.
1. Colorado Springs, CO (80916)
Median list price in ZIP code: $318,000
Median list price within the city limits: $472,050
Colorado Springs, about an hour south of Denver, is no stranger to our list of the hottest ZIP codes. In 2020, 80911—also within the city limits—took the top spot. But homes in this year’s top ZIP code, 80916, in eastern Colorado Springs have become more popular thanks to the lower prices. And while this area is still a bit rougher around the edges, buyers can score significant savings. Homes here have a median list price of $318,000—compared with $472,050 for the city overall.
Homes in this ZIP code tend to be older, with many built in the 1970s and 1980s. Still, first-time buyers and investors are scooping up whatever they can. The area has become particularly popular with out-of-state buyers from California and Texas—and that’s led prices to skyrocket nearly 20% over the past year.
Colorado Springs is home to Peterson Air Force Base, and locals here have a quick commute to area defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. Denver, the state capital, is 80 miles south.
Most who move here are enticed by the access to the outdoors—including hiking and rock climbing at Garden of the Gods park and Pikes Peak—as well as top-rated schools. Because of this, homes here move quickly (about four days on average), so prospective buyers should be prepared to move fast.
“Real estate is just selling like crazy,” says Linda Leiss Landry, a local real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway Synergy Group. “We’re in one of the most popular areas to move to right now.”
2. West Irondequoit, NY (14617)
Median list price in ZIP code: $175,000
Median list price within the city limits: $162,500