Top US Cities for Buying Newly Built Homes

Discover the best cities in the US for purchasing newly constructed homes, highlighting Charleston’s top ranking and trends from Realtor.com.

As 2023 unfolds, the US housing market is facing familiar challenges, with many homeowners choosing to remain in their homes due to low mortgage rates. This decision leaves potential buyers vying for a limited number of existing homes. However, a recent report from Realtor.com presents some encouraging developments in the form of new construction.

According to the report, homebuilders are ramping up construction, particularly in Southern states. Realtor.com’s senior economist, Joel Berner, noted, “New construction is one of the most important ways to expand the supply of homes available to buyers, but the opportunity is not evenly distributed across the country.” He added that in the South, builders are constructing homes that compete with, and in some instances beat, the prices of existing homes.

The Carolinas are particularly noteworthy, with six metropolitan areas making the list of the top 10 cities for buying newly built homes. In recent years, both North and South Carolina have become attractive to many Americans seeking affordable housing, charm, and historical sites.

Florida has been a significant contributor to the migration to the Carolinas, especially to North Carolina. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that nearly 40,000 individuals moved from Florida to North Carolina in 2023, representing the largest flow of movers from any state, including South Carolina.

Kimberly Jones, a native Floridian, shared her own experience moving to North Carolina in 2025, citing a desire for a more affordable cost of living and the opportunity to build an affordable home.

Builders are responding to this growing demand, and the following metros emerged as the best places to purchase a newly constructed home, according to Realtor.com.