Frisco and McKinney Named America's Top Two Real Estate Markets for 2026

by Andre Gulchuk

Frisco and McKinney Named America's Top Two Real Estate Markets for 2026

North Texas has claimed the top two positions in a new national real estate ranking.

Frisco was named the No. 1 real estate market in the United States for 2026, with McKinney immediately behind at No. 2, according to WalletHub's annual study of 300 U.S. cities. Denton ranked No. 5 and Allen No. 8, giving North Texas four cities in the national top 10.

The results are another sign of North Texas' economic and residential strength, but they require some context. A highly ranked city is not automatically the right place for every buyer, and it does not make every property a strong investment. Price, property taxes, builder quality, neighborhood demand, financing, insurance and resale potential still need to be evaluated property by property.

Here is what the study measured, why Frisco and McKinney performed so well, and what the findings may mean for buyers and sellers across North Texas.

How WalletHub Ranked America's Best Real Estate Markets

WalletHub compared 300 cities across 17 indicators grouped into two categories:

Real estate market conditions, representing 80% of the total score
Affordability and economic environment, representing 20% of the total score

The real estate category included home-value forecasts, historical price appreciation, days on market, mortgage delinquency, foreclosure activity, vacancy rates, recently built housing and building permits.

The affordability and economic category included housing costs relative to income, maintenance costs, population growth, job growth, unemployment, underemployment and median credit scores.

Each city received a weighted score, with a higher score representing healthier overall conditions under WalletHub's methodology. The underlying data were collected as of July 22, 2026 from sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Zillow, TransUnion, the National Association of Realtors and ATTOM.

This matters because the ranking is broader than a list of cities with the fastest price growth or lowest home prices. It attempts to measure whether housing conditions are supported by affordability, employment and economic stability.

Why Frisco Ranked No. 1

Frisco earned the top national ranking largely because of its newer housing supply, relative affordability and job growth.

Nearly 47% of Frisco homes were built between 2010 and 2024, the highest share among all 300 cities in the study. Buyers who prefer newer construction may find more options that do not require the immediate renovation often associated with older housing.

That does not mean newer homes are maintenance-free. Buyers should still evaluate construction quality, warranties, drainage, roofing, HVAC performance, foundation conditions and any remaining builder obligations before purchasing.

Frisco also ranked seventh nationally for job growth. Employment growth can help support housing demand by attracting new residents and giving existing homeowners more confidence in the local economy.

On affordability, WalletHub ranked Frisco 95th-cheapest among the cities studied when comparing home prices with local income. That does not mean Frisco has inexpensive homes. It means local incomes compared relatively well with housing prices under the study's formula.

Why McKinney Ranked No. 2

McKinney's second-place ranking was driven by many of the same factors, including newer housing, continued development and job growth.

Approximately 40% of McKinney homes were built between 2010 and 2024, the second-highest share in the study. McKinney also ranked tenth nationally for building permits per capita, indicating that additional housing development remains active.

The city's employment numbers were another major factor. WalletHub ranked McKinney sixth nationally for job growth, with annual growth exceeding 17% in the data used for the study.

McKinney was not among the country's least expensive housing markets, but it still performed relatively well when prices were compared with local incomes. WalletHub reported that the median home price was approximately 380% of median income, placing McKinney 73rd-cheapest among the 300 cities by that measure.

For buyers, McKinney can offer a wide range of housing, from established neighborhoods to newer master-planned communities. The tradeoffs can vary substantially by location, so buyers should compare tax rates, homeowners association costs, special assessment districts, commute patterns and future development plans rather than looking only at the list price.

North Texas Placed Four Cities in the National Top 10

Frisco and McKinney were not the only North Texas cities to perform well.

Frisco: No. 1
McKinney: No. 2
Denton: No. 5
Allen: No. 8

The concentration of North Texas cities near the top suggests that the region's housing market is supported by more than one isolated employment center or development corridor.

WalletHub also ranked Frisco and McKinney as the top two midsize cities. Allen ranked first among small cities, while Denton ranked fifth among midsize cities. Fort Worth ranked fifth among large cities, and Dallas ranked No. 14 in the large-city category.

What the Rankings Mean for North Texas Buyers

The report is encouraging, but buyers should treat a citywide ranking as a starting point rather than a purchase recommendation.

More newer homes can create more choices

Frisco and McKinney both offer substantial newer housing inventory. Depending on the neighborhood, buyers may be comparing resale homes with completed new construction or homes still being built.

New-home incentives can make a builder's offer appear more attractive, but the full comparison should include the base price, lot premium, design upgrades, financing terms, closing costs, tax rate, homeowners association fees and estimated resale competition.

Property taxes can materially change affordability

Two homes with similar prices can have very different monthly payments because of tax rates, municipal utility districts, public improvement districts, homeowners insurance and association dues.

The most useful affordability comparison is not simply the sale price. It is the estimated total monthly cost and the amount of cash required at closing.

Job growth may support demand, but it does not guarantee appreciation

Employment growth can attract buyers and support long-term housing demand. However, home values can still be affected by mortgage rates, inventory, insurance expenses, tax increases, new-construction competition and broader economic conditions.

No national ranking can guarantee future appreciation for a particular city, neighborhood or property.

Neighborhood-level analysis still matters

Even within the same city, market conditions can vary by price range, home age, school-district boundary, commute access, lot type and nearby development.

Before making an offer, buyers should review recent comparable sales, active competition, seller concessions, days on market, inspection findings and resale considerations.

What the Rankings Mean for Sellers

For homeowners in Frisco and McKinney, national recognition can reinforce buyer confidence in the area. It can also provide useful context when marketing a home to someone relocating to North Texas.

However, a strong city ranking does not replace accurate pricing.

Today's buyers can easily compare a resale home with competing listings, builder inventory and available incentives. Sellers still need to account for condition, updates, floor plan, lot, location, presentation and recent neighborhood sales.

A home priced correctly for its immediate competition is more likely to attract serious attention than one priced according to a broad national headline.

What This Could Mean for Celina and Nearby Communities

Celina was not part of the top two ranking, but the results are still relevant to homeowners and buyers farther north.

Many buyers compare Celina, Prosper, Frisco and McKinney during the same home search. They may be balancing newer construction, lot size, commute time, tax rates, amenities and proximity to employment centers.

Continued strength in Frisco and McKinney may help keep attention on the broader northern DFW corridor. At the same time, each community has its own inventory, tax structure and development pipeline. Buyers considering Celina should evaluate it on its own numbers rather than assuming that nearby rankings automatically produce the same market conditions.

Is Now a Good Time to Buy in Frisco or McKinney?

That depends on the buyer, the property and the financing.

The WalletHub ranking evaluates overall market health. It does not account for an individual buyer's budget, interest rate, expected ownership period, job stability or tolerance for maintenance and market fluctuations.

A buyer who finds the right home at a sustainable total monthly payment may reach a different conclusion than someone who expects to move again soon or would need to stretch financially.

The better question is whether a specific property, at its current price and terms, fits the buyer's needs and long-term plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Frisco rank as the best real estate market in 2026?

Frisco ranked No. 1 because of its large share of recently built homes, job growth, housing affordability relative to local income and overall performance across WalletHub's 17 indicators.

Why did McKinney rank No. 2?

McKinney stood out for newer housing, building-permit activity, job growth and affordability relative to income. Approximately 40% of its housing was built between 2010 and 2024.

Does a high ranking mean home prices will keep rising?

No. The ranking measures current and historical market conditions under WalletHub's methodology. It does not guarantee future appreciation or eliminate the possibility of local price declines.

Is a newer home always a better purchase?

Not necessarily. Newer homes may require fewer immediate updates, but construction quality, builder warranties, taxes, location, lot conditions and future resale competition still matter.

How should buyers compare Frisco, McKinney and Celina?

Compare the full cost of ownership, housing inventory, commute, tax rate, homeowners association fees, special assessment districts, amenities, construction quality and resale potential. The best choice depends on the buyer's priorities rather than a single city ranking.

Get Local Guidance Before Making a Move

National rankings can help identify broad market strengths, but successful real estate decisions are made at the neighborhood and property level.

At Gulch Homes, we help buyers and sellers across Celina, Frisco, McKinney and the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area compare current listings, recent sales, new-construction incentives, property taxes and resale competition.

If you are considering buying, selling or relocating within North Texas, contact Gulch Homes for a personalized market analysis.