We continue to see evidence that homeownership is becoming an increasingly unattainable goal for Millennials and Generation Z. Unfortunately, even though interest rates and rising and sales are declining somewhat, there’s not likely to be a big reprieve in home affordability this year.

While it can seem grim if you want to buy your first home, some places rank better than others around the country.

The National Association of Realtors looked at 179 markets around the country to find which would give buyers the most value. The median home prices in some of the ranked markets aren’t less expensive than the national median price of $398,500, but these cities might have done well in other metrics like the availability of homes and the job market, earning them a spot on the list.

So what are the best cities for first-time buyers?

1. The Atlanta Metro

When NAR conducted its research, the median home price was $371,200 in the Atlanta metro, including Sandy Springs-Marietta.

Major tech companies in Atlanta are creating offices, including Apple and Microsoft, so the job market is strong.

More than 20% of Atlanta renters can afford a median-priced home in the area with a 10% down payment. The national average is just over 15%.

2. Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh’s median home price is less affordable than other places that are good for first-time buyers at $460,500, but the city is a hub for tech companies, and the unemployment rate is low.

Additionally, over the past year, the inventory of homes has increased by 188%.

2. Dallas Metro

The Dallas Metro includes Forth Worth and Arlington.

In this Texas metro, you can find a median home price of $390,100 and strong job growth nearly double that of the national average.

The supply of homes is slightly lower than the national average, but in 2022, inventory went up, with active listings tripling the national average.

4. Fayetteville, Arkansas

This metro technically also includes Springdale-Rogers, which is in both Arkansas and Missouri. The median home price is $328,400, and the area is home to three major Fortune 500 companies, which are Walmart, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, and Tyson Foods.

This metro is number two among the National Association of Realtors’ rankings for the most affordable housing.

The annual population growth is 2%, significantly above the national average of 0.01%.

5. Greenville, South Carolina

The Greenville Metro also includes Anderson and Mauldin, South Carolina. The median home price in this Southern metro is $335,400, and job growth is strong, especially in high-paying industries and roles.

The supply of homes in 2022 was nearly double the national average, so you’ll have options if you decide to call the Greenville area home.

6. Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston and North Charleston is one of the more expensive areas on this list, with a median home price of $416,800, but with this comes a fast-growing job market. Job growth in the area is almost twice the national average.

7. Huntsville, Alabama

The median home price in Huntsville is $327,500, and the most populous city in Alabama also has a low overall cost of living and excellent job opportunities.

Slightly under 30% of current renters could afford a typical Huntsville home with a 10% downpayment, a figure which is almost double the national average.

8. Jacksonville, Florida

The median home price in Jacksonville is $398,000, and it’s more affordable than many other areas in the Sunshine State, which saw a huge boom in migration during the pandemic.

If you were to buy a median-priced home in Jacksonville with a 10% down payment, you’d need an income of around $98,000 to qualify, which is significantly less than most of the area’s other metros. For example, in Miami, you’d need a qualifying income of $140,000 with a 10% down payment.

What Are the Worst Places for First-Time Buyers?

Finally, while the cities and metros above offer some excellent opportunities for new home buyers, what about those places that make homeownership out of reach?

The places that are so expensive homeownership becomes unattainable for most first-time buyers include Riverside, California, San Diego, California, and New York City. Boston and Washington, D.C. also rank as challenging and unaffordable markets. Washington, D.C., also has weak job growth, making it even harder for people living in the nation’s capital to buy homes.