Peabody, Massachusetts offers everything homebuyers are looking for and recently emerged as the hottest ZIP code in the U.S for 2026, according to new research from Realtor.com.
The real estate company ranked U.S. ZIP codes based on unique viewers per property and lengths of time properties spent on the market using Realtor.com listing data from January to June 2026.
Located roughly 20 miles outside of Boston, Peabody ranked No. 1, followed by two New Jersey ZIPs: Montclair and Sewell. Peabody has made the top 10 hottest ZIP codes before, in 2018 and 2021.
Peabody’s draw
According to experts, the North Shore gem’s appeal lies in its approachable home prices and proximity to job opportunities. A charming, established atmosphere also helped.
“Located within the Boston metro area, just 20 miles north of downtown, Peabody offers buyers a relatively affordable, well-established community to put down roots,” said Realtor.com analysts. “Buyers are drawn to Peabody by its highway access to Boston, its North Shore setting and its blend of small-town character with proximity to a major job center.”
Pricing and demand
Home listings in Peabody receive approximately 4.1 viewers per property. Around 70% of viewers came from the Boston/Cambridge/Newton metro area. Most other viewers hailed from the New York City/Newark/Jersey City metro area.
“Rather than pulling in outside relocators, Peabody’s popularity appears to reflect existing Boston-area residents shopping for a different town within reach of the same job market, a vote of confidence from people who already know the region well,” noted Realtor.com analysts.
Demand drove higher sales prices in Peabody. While homes sold for 2.3% below listing price on average nationwide, Peabody properties fetched around 0.82% more than their listed prices and spent a median of 20 days on the market.
The median listing price hit $667,000 in June,soaring $230,000 over the national average. The price point still offers a relatively affordable option at 20% below Boston’s metro area average.
To pay 20% down with a 6.55% rate, a hopeful Peabody homebuyer would need to make a minimum income of $122,060, the report notes.
“Buyer financials tell a more ordinary story than some of the other hottest ZIPs, too,” said Realtor.com analysts. “The median household income of $101,454 runs modestly behind what’s needed to comfortably afford the typical home there, yet buyers are still closing deals with a down payment (14.0%) and credit profile (747 median FICO) close to the national norm, suggesting the math works for most buyers here without requiring the outsized financial cushion seen in some of the year’s other breakout markets.”
Close Contender
Westfield, Massachusetts also made the list, ranking No. 5 nationwide. Located in the Springfield metro area, the ZIP code has a median home listing price of $381,000. Homes in the area spent around 27 days on the market and received 5.2 viewers per property.