The 02155 ZIP code in Medford is the fourth-hottest in the country, according to a recent ranking from Realtor.com.
Although the median home price in the ZIP, $541,000, was the second highest among the top 10, it’s average time on market of 19 days is third shortest. Medford’s unemployment rate of 3.2 percent is 1 percentage point below the U.S. average, and its rate of job growth is 2 percent.
Besides high salaries, relative affordability and a strong job market, the top ZIP codes on the Realtor.com list have a large share of older millennials and high millennial ownership rate. In Medford, the millennials seem to be attracted by recreation, nightlife and affordability.
“Once overlooked as a sleepy city northwest of downtown Boston, Medford is now known for its lively dining options, ample recreation opportunities at Wright’s Park and along the Mystic River, and the annual Mystic River Celebration devoted to the arts,” Realtor.com said of Medford. “The area is home to the renowned Tufts University, and the T provides easy public transportation access to downtown Boston. Residents also enjoy a low tax rate compared to other cities in the region.”
To compile the list, Realtor.com analyzed 32,000 ZIP codes around the country, measuring how long homes there take to sell and how frequently they’re viewed.