All articles tagged with #metros
Zillow’s April report identifies 10 U.S. metros with the strongest odds for first-time buyers, led by Jacksonville, FL—a city where rent accounts for about 23% of median income and 47.8% of listings are affordable—followed by Birmingham, San Antonio, Atlanta, Houston, St. Louis, Detroit, Raleigh, Baltimore, and Louisville, reflecting lower rent burdens, more affordable listings, and a healthier share of younger buyers.
A National Association of Realtors analysis of Census data finds U.S. homeownership rates differ by occupation: management and business professionals lead at about 72% ownership in 2024, education and social services around 67%, and STEM/technical workers about 67% but dipping since 2014; service workers remain lowest at about 46%, with the national rate near 65%. Local variation is substantial: in 61% of the 368 metros, the occupation most likely to own a home in 2024 differs from 2014, and affordability constraints—medians around five times income—mean many earners are priced out of homeownership.
February 2026 saw the national median asking rent for 0–2 bedroom units fall to $1,667, a 1.7% year-over-year decline—the 30th straight YoY drop and a four-year low. Rents declined across all sizes (studio $1,393; 1‑bed $1,548; 2‑bed $1,844). Fifteen of the 50 largest metros are at least 10% below their peaks, led by Austin (-18.2%), Birmingham (-17.1%), and Memphis (-16.1%), while five markets—Virginia Beach, Kansas City, Baltimore, San Jose, and Richmond—are within 3% of peak, signaling a possible rebound. Despite soft footing, rents remain about 14.2% above pre-pandemic levels, and spring leasing season is expected to bring modest month-over-month increases. Data are from Realtor.com’s February 2026 report, which also notes varying relief across markets and continued relief concentrated in certain areas amid a supply-demand balance.
A solar eclipse is set to occur in the United States on Monday, with the path crossing Mexico, 15 states, and parts of Eastern Canada. Major U.S. metros, including Dallas, will experience the eclipse, with future eclipses predicted to impact various cities within the century. The upcoming eclipse has led to solid bookings for accommodations, as people are eager to witness this rare event. The current century is expected to see more active solar eclipses in the U.S. than the past one, with several major cities set to experience this phenomenon.