Seems like nobody's having a good time in real estate right now.
Despite high interest rates giving many would-be buyers the jitters, home prices remain 10.3% overvalued compared to long-term trends, according to a 2026 analysis by Fitch Ratings. The problem remains widespread, with 81% of U.S. cities overvalued, half of which by at least 10%.
Not every city is overvalued equally, however. So which cities are the worst offenders, and what are some more affordable alternatives to them?
1. Newark, New Jersey
Overvalued by: 20%-24%
Everyone knows Manhattan costs an arm and a leg. It comes as little surprise that New York City's affordability crisis has spilled across the Hudson River to the North Jersey suburbs.
Even so, incomes and rents just can't support the outlandish home prices. And sure enough, home prices in New Jersey have fallen 1% over the last year per Zillow, even as the BLS reported that inflation has flared at 3.7% as of September 2026.
Alternative: With an average home price of $317,498, Allentown, PA costs 34% less than Newark.
"Allentown features strong manufacturing and logistics job sectors, a growing downtown scene and significantly lower property taxes than northern New Jersey, making it a highly sustainable value play," said Realtor Jeremy Olsher with the Mizner Residential Group. The commute is an hour longer however, so it makes the most sense for hybrid workers who only have to go into the office one or two days a week.
2. Philadelphia / Camden, New Jersey / Wilmington, Delaware
Overvalued by: 20%-24%
With a metro area extending across four states (at least according to Fitch) including neighboring Maryland, the broader Philadelphia region is similarly overvalued.
The City of Brotherly Love was once considered an affordable alternative to other major East Coast cities like New York, Boston and Washington DC. But an influx of remote workers with strong incomes have driven up property values in the nicer neighborhoods and suburbs.
In the city itself, the average home remains affordable at $233,728. However, that masks the vast range of property prices, with some neighborhoods selling for $70,000 while others a half mile away sell for $700,000.
Alternative: An hour and a half south sits another major East Coast city with just as many amenities and more waterfront.
"Baltimore [is] directly on the Amtrak line for easy regional transit, yet its housing stock remains vastly undervalued compared to Philly," said Olsher, "offering incredible upside for buyers seeking affordability without sacrificing amenities and culture."
3. Chicago / Naperville / Elgin, Illinois
Overvalued by: 15%-19%
Like Philadelphia, Chicago doesn't have a reputation as a classically expensive city. Homes here average $334,030 according to Zillow, 9% less than the national average of $368,697.
And like Philadelphia, the citywide average hides the huge differences in prices between neighborhoods.
Chicago's home prices have grown less affordable for the locals in recent years due to the same caustic cocktail that drives up prices everywhere: bureaucratic red tape preventing new supply and skyrocketing property taxes.
Alternative: Consider moving a little further up the coast of Lake Michigan.
"Like Chicago, Milwaukee offers lakefront living with established neighborhoods, but with better housing," said Realtor Ben Mizes, founder of Clever Offers.
4. Indianapolis / Carmel / Greenwood, Indiana
Overvalued by: 15%-19%
A decade ago, everyone marveled at how affordable Indianapolis was, even as it gentrified and added more urbane amenities.
That ship has sailed.
Well, not entirely. It's still affordable by national standards, with homes averaging $230,020. But that's more than local incomes and rents can justify.
"Overvaluation has nothing to do with the price tag," said Realtor Carolyn Graven with Carolina Triangle Estates. "It's the gap between prices and what local paychecks support, so a modestly priced house can still be overvalued if wages haven't kept pace."
Alternative: Try Louisville, Kentucky for a more appropriately priced alternative. It shares a similar economic footprint to Indianapolis, including employment in healthcare, logistics and manufacturing.
5. New York / Jersey City, New Jersey
Overvalued by: 15%-19%
Any city where people scrape every penny just to share a tiny studio apartment with a near-stranger is going to rank near the top of the overvalued rankings.
Land is limited, and the city is already pretty vertical, so new housing supply remains constrained. Plus, the city government isn't exactly known for being builder-friendly for adding new housing supply.
Alternative: Newark (just kidding!). Consider Albany's Capital District as an alternative that still keeps you plugged into the state economy.
"It's a booming hub for tech, healthcare and higher education," said Mizes. "Albany provides great schools, easy access to outdoor recreation and affordable housing, all while remaining an accessible train ride away from Manhattan."
Source: Yahoo Finance