Is Frisco Really the Best Real Estate Market in America Right Now?

Frisco just ranked No. 1 in WalletHub's 2026 Best Real Estate Markets report, with McKinney at No. 2. Here's what that actually means for DFW buyers.

 

Frisco just got named the No. 1 real estate market in the entire country. Not top ten. Number one, out of 300 cities WalletHub studied. McKinney landed at No. 2. Two Collin County cities, top of the national list, same week.

I've had people ask me all year whether it's still smart to buy in this corner of DFW with headlines about rising inventory and softer prices. This ranking is a good reality check on the difference between short-term market conditions and long-term market strength.

Here's what actually earned Frisco the top spot. Nearly 47% of homes here were built between 2010 and 2024, so buyers get a huge selection of newer construction instead of aging housing stock that needs work. Frisco also scored well on affordability relative to income and posted the seventh-highest job growth rate in the study. McKinney backed it up with the 10th-highest number of building permits per capita in the country, meaning the growth isn't slowing down.

What this does not mean is that prices are about to spike or that you need to rush a decision. We're still in a market with more inventory than we've seen in years, which means buyers have real negotiating room in both cities right now. A No. 1 ranking is about fundamentals, not FOMO. It tells you that the schools, the job base, the newer housing stock, and the long-term demand are all pointing the same direction, which matters more for your equity in year seven than it does this month.

For sellers, this is a credibility card. If you're in Frisco or McKinney and pricing your home honestly for current conditions, you're selling in a market that just got validated as the strongest in the country, not one that's cooling off.

For buyers, it's permission to stop waiting for a "sign" that this is a good place to plant roots. The data just gave you one.

If you're thinking about buying or selling a home in Frisco or McKinney, reach out to Christina Money. I'd be happy to help you understand what's happening in the market and what your options are.

FAQ:

Q: What made Frisco the No. 1 real estate market in the U.S. for 2026?
A: WalletHub's 2026 study ranked Frisco first out of 300 U.S. cities based on newer housing stock (nearly 47% built since 2010), strong affordability relative to income, and the seventh-highest job growth rate in the country.

Q: How did McKinney rank on WalletHub's 2026 list?
A: McKinney ranked No. 2 nationally, right behind Frisco, helped by having the 10th-highest number of building permits per capita in the U.S., a sign of continued strong construction activity.

Q: Does a No. 1 ranking mean home prices are rising fast in Frisco?
A: Not necessarily. The ranking reflects long-term market fundamentals like affordability, job growth, and housing stock, not short-term price movement. Collin County currently has more inventory than in recent years, giving buyers more negotiating room.

Q: Is now a good time to buy in Frisco or McKinney?
A: With higher inventory and more room to negotiate than the past few years, plus data confirming strong long-term fundamentals, many buyers are finding this a more balanced window than the market has offered since 2021.