10 Best Places for First-Time Homebuyers in 2023

halbergman / Getty Images/iStockphoto
halbergman / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Purchasing a home has been especially difficult for first-time buyers in recent years thanks to rising prices, increasing mortgage rates and stiff competition for homes in hot markets. Although 2023 is anticipated to still be a challenging year, there are some great opportunities for first-time buyers, especially those with some flexibility on location.

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To find the best markets for first-time homebuyers, Realtor.com analyzed 659 cities across a number of factors including affordability, the share of 25- to 34-year-olds in the local population, availability of homes for sale, job opportunities, average commute time to work, amenities, and forecasted metro home sales and home price growth in 2023. Based on the analysis, these are the top 10 markets for first-time homebuyers in 2023.

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

10. Somersworth, New Hampshire

  • Forecasted 25- to 34-year-old population share: 14.9%

  • Inventory per 1,000 households: 30.1

  • Median listing price: $329,900

  • Price-to-income ratio: 4.6

  • Forecasted average travel time to work (minutes): 28

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

9. Mattydale, New York

  • Forecasted 25- to 34-year-old population share: 12.9%

  • Inventory per 1,000 households: 40.9

  • Median listing price: $128,900

  • Price-to-income ratio: 2.2

  • Forecasted average travel time to work (minutes): 21

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pabradyphoto / Getty Images
pabradyphoto / Getty Images

8. Watervliet, New York

  • Forecasted 25- to 34-year-old population share: 15.9%

  • Inventory per 1,000 households: 18.3

  • Median listing price: $228,300

  • Price-to-income ratio: 4.0

  • Forecasted average travel time to work (minutes): 22

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

7. Eggertsville, New York

  • Forecasted 25- to 34-year-old population share: 13.3%

  • Inventory per 1,000 households: 39.0

  • Median listing price: $230,796

  • Price-to-income ratio: 3.4

  • Forecasted average travel time to work (minutes): 20

walencienne / Getty Images
walencienne / Getty Images

6. Magna, Utah

  • Forecasted 25- to 34-year-old population share: 16.8%

  • Inventory per 1,000 households: 73.7

  • Median listing price: $410,000

  • Price-to-income ratio: 5.1

  • Forecasted average travel time to work (minutes): 27

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

5. Moore, Oklahoma

  • Forecasted 25- to 34-year-old population share: 16.8%

  • Inventory per 1,000 households: 54.7

  • Median listing price: $220,000

  • Price-to-income ratio: 3.0

  • Forecasted average travel time to work (minutes): 27

BrianEKushner / Getty Images/iStockphoto
BrianEKushner / Getty Images/iStockphoto

4. Gloucester City, New Jersey

  • Forecasted 25- to 34-year-old population share: 13.6%

  • Inventory per 1,000 households: 62.3

  • Median listing price: $160,000

  • Price-to-income ratio: 2.2

  • Forecasted average travel time to work (minutes): 25

benedek / Getty Images
benedek / Getty Images

3. Windsor Locks, Connecticut

  • Forecasted 25- to 34-year-old population share: 12.6%

  • Inventory per 1,000 households: 41.9

  • Median listing price: $239,900

  • Price-to-income ratio: 2.7

  • Forecasted average travel time to work (minutes): 23

csfotoimages / Getty Images
csfotoimages / Getty Images

2. DeForest, Wisconsin

  • Forecasted 25- to 34-year-old population share: 15.1%

  • Inventory per 1,000 households: 58.1

  • Median listing price: $389,900

  • Price-to-income ratio: 3.6

  • Forecasted average travel time to work (minutes): 25

Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

1. Portsmouth, Virginia

  • Forecasted 25- to 34-year-old population share: 15.9%

  • Inventory per 1,000 households: 58.8

  • Median listing price: $239,000

  • Price-to-income ratio: 3.9

  • Forecasted average travel time to work (minutes): 25

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Disclaimer: Photos are representational and may depict nearby cities. All data is sourced from Realtor.com's Best Markets for First-Time Homebuyers in 2023 and is accurate as of Jan. 18, 2023.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Best Places for First-Time Homebuyers in 2023

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