STR Markets Where Home Values Are Rising in 2026
County home values rose over the past year in 102 of the 175 markets we track. These 30 moved the most.
This ranking measures the one-year change in the typical home value (all homes, Zillow Home Value Index) for the county each STR market sits in. Of the 175 tracked markets with home-value data, 102 rose, 69 fell and 4 were flat; this page lists the 30 largest gains. Rising values help equity but raise the price of entry and compress yield.
Top 30: rising home values
| Rank | Market | State | Home value, 1 yr | Typical home value | Typical 4BR value | Annual revenue | Opportunity score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun ValleyBlaine County | ID | +13.2% | $1.1M | $2.6M | 55 partial | |
| 2 | Cape MayCape May County | NJ | +9.3% | $806K | $1.2M | 56 partial | |
| 3 | Ocean CityCape May County | NJ | +9.3% | $806K | $1.2M | 48 partial | |
| 4 | Lake PlacidEssex County | NY | +9.1% | $299K | $393K | 44 partial | |
| 5 | TellurideSan Miguel County | CO | +7.9% | $1.6M | $4.4M | 42 partial | |
| 6 | HomerKenai Peninsula Borough | AK | +7.5% | $351K | $490K | 48 partial | |
| 7 | SewardKenai Peninsula Borough | AK | +7.5% | $351K | $490K | 39 partial | |
| 8 | StoningtonNew London County | CT | +6.8% | $433K | $554K | 63 partial | |
| 9 | DuluthSt. Louis County | MN | +6.5% | $257K | $364K | 33 partial | |
| 10 | Block IslandWashington County | RI | +5.8% | $690K | $924K | 38 partial | |
| 11 | ChicagoCook County | IL | +5.8% | $342K | $496K | 38 partial | |
| 12 | NarragansettWashington County | RI | +5.8% | $690K | $924K | 41 partial | |
| 13 | NewportNewport County | RI | +5.7% | $791K | $1.1M | 37 partial | |
| 14 | OttawaLaSalle County | IL | +5.7% | $197K | $288K | 32 partial | |
| 15 | AnchorageAnchorage Municipality | AK | +5.4% | $435K | $556K | 61 partial | |
| 16 | Park CitySummit County | UT | +5.0% | $1.3M | $2.3M | $105K | 74 |
| 17 | SnowshoePocahontas County | WV | +4.9% | $188K | $353K | 48 partial | |
| 18 | Long Beach TownshipOcean County | NJ | +4.8% | $551K | $766K | 47 partial | |
| 19 | Wisconsin DellsColumbia County | WI | +4.7% | $361K | $408K | 41 partial | |
| 20 | Hocking HillsHocking County | OH | +4.5% | $287K | $423K | 43 partial | |
| 21 | Lake GenevaWalworth County | WI | +4.4% | $411K | $562K | 39 partial | |
| 22 | Michigan CityLaPorte County | IN | +4.3% | $263K | $352K | 47 partial | |
| 23 | Steamboat SpringsRoutt County | CO | +4.2% | $1.1M | $2M | 50 partial | |
| 24 | North ConwayCarroll County | NH | +4.0% | $507K | $748K | 53 partial | |
| 25 | Smith Mountain LakeFranklin County | VA | +4.0% | $366K | $558K | 34 partial | |
| 26 | FargoCass County | ND | +3.9% | $339K | $383K | 56 partial | |
| 27 | GalenaJo Daviess County | IL | +3.9% | $251K | $402K | 27 partial | |
| 28 | FayettevilleFayette County | WV | +3.8% | $140K | $214K | 43 partial | |
| 29 | East HamptonSuffolk County | NY | +3.7% | $738K | $853K | 32 partial | |
| 30 | BrainerdCrow Wing County | MN | +3.5% | $373K | $439K | 43 partial |
Swipe the table sideways for more columns. Ranked by one-year change in the county's typical home value (all homes).
How to read this
- Home values are county-wide typical values from the Zillow Home Value Index, not list prices. "Typical 4BR value" is the typical value of a 4-bedroom home in the county named under each market; a specific property can sit well above or below it.
- Annual revenue is the average annual gross STR revenue from STR HUB's market analytics, the same figure shown on each market page. It is gross, and an individual property can earn more or less.
- The Opportunity Score (0-100) is a screening heuristic, not investment advice. It weighs revenue (35%), regulatory climate (25%), tourism employment (15%), nearby amenities (15%) and large-home supply (10%), each measured relative to the other markets we track.
- Scores marked partial were calculated without revenue data: the cash-flow component is assumed to be below average, so a partial score can understate a market and should not be compared like-for-like with a full score.
- An empty cell means we do not hold that figure for the market. We never estimate or interpolate a missing number.
Frequently asked questions
Where are home values rising fastest among STR markets in 2026?
Sun Valley, ID: the typical home value in Blaine County rose 13.2% over the past year to $1.1M. Cape May, NJ (+9.3%) and Ocean City, NJ (+9.3%) are next.
How many STR markets have rising home values?
102 of the 175 tracked markets with Zillow home-value data. Across all 175, 102 rose, 69 fell, and the median one-year change was +0.6%.
Which rising-value market has the best gross yield?
Of the 1 markets on this list with revenue data, Park City, UT has the highest gross yield at 4.7%: $105K average annual revenue against a typical 4BR value of $2.3M. Gross yield is before costs and financing.
Which state has the most markets on the rising home values list?
Alaska, Illinois, New Jersey and Rhode Island tie with 3 markets each out of the 30 listed. Alaska: Homer, Seward and Anchorage. Illinois: Chicago, Ottawa and Galena. New Jersey: Cape May, Ocean City and Long Beach Township.
See these on the interactive map
Switch the map to the home-price overlay to see rising counties next to revenue, yield and regulation for every market.
More rankings
State pages for the top markets here
- New Jersey STR markets
- New York STR markets
- Colorado STR markets
- Alaska STR markets
- Minnesota STR markets
- Rhode Island STR markets
- All rankings →
Data sources
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI). Data provided by Zillow Group.
- Revenue, nightly rate, occupancy and regulation ratings: STR HUB market analytics and regulation research.
- Housing and employment shares: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates.
- Amenity data: © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Figures come from the STR HUB national dataset dated September 21, 2026 and are refreshed whenever that dataset is rebuilt. Screening data only: not investment, legal or tax advice.
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