Peabody, Massachusetts has claimed the number one position on Realtor.com’s annual Hottest ZIP Codes in America report, released August 10, 2026.
The Boston suburb, identified by ZIP code 01960, joins the rankings for the third time, having previously placed fifth in 2018 and third in 2021.
Peabody’s population of roughly 54,000 residents benefits from easy highway access that makes it a practical choice for Boston commuters heading into the city daily.
The suburb’s North Shore location also puts beaches within close reach, adding lifestyle appeal that extends well beyond its reputation as an affordable alternative to Boston proper.
The median home in Peabody lists for $600,000, which sits below the median price across the broader and notoriously expensive Boston metropolitan region.
Despite that relative affordability, competition is fierce, with the median home spending just 20 days on the market before going under contract.
Nationally, for-sale inventory remained 11.3% below pre-pandemic norms in June 2026, but in the hottest ZIP codes that shortfall widened dramatically to 60.5%, more than five times the national gap.
Listings in the top ten ZIP codes drew between 3.0 and 5.3 times more views per property than the national average and sold 30 to 42 days faster than typical homes across the country.
While the typical American home sold for about 2.3% below list price in the first half of 2026, nine of the ten hottest ZIP codes saw homes sell at or above asking price.
The average sale-to-list ratio across the top ten ZIP codes reached approximately 103.8%, with Montclair, New Jersey and Fairport, New York standing out sharply at 16.7% and 14.4% over asking, respectively.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Northeast and Midwest swept the entire top ten list, with ZIP codes spanning Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan.
The South and West failed again to produce a single entry, as more robust homebuilding and softer price growth in those regions have eased buyer competition over the past two years.
Comparatively tight new-construction pipelines in Northeastern and Midwestern metros have kept supply constrained, reinforcing the dominance those regions continue to hold on the annual rankings.
“This year’s hottest ZIP codes tell us that buyers aren’t simply chasing the lowest price tag anymore — they’re chasing space, character and a manageable commute to a major job center, and they’re willing to pay a premium to get it,” said Hannah Jones, senior economist at Realtor.com.
