Housing costs and job prospects are diminishing the appeal of major cities like New York City, Boston, and Chicago. In a 2025 report, these cities ranked among the least popular urban areas in the U.S., with Chicago seeing 72.1% of home shopping traffic directed outside the city. This marks a notable increase since 2019, reflecting a shift in local preferences toward more affordable locations. Boston experienced similar trends, with a reported surge in outbound home shopping interest amid rising median home prices, which reached $854,974.
In spring 2025, New York City, Boston, and Chicago landed on the top 10 list of least popular cities for the first time due to high housing costs.
In Chicago, 72.1% of online home shopping traffic went to listings outside the city, marking a 26% increase from 2019.
Boston saw 72% of listing views directed out-of-market, a 24.7% increase in outbound interest compared to previous years.
The median home price in Boston reached $854,974, a 42% rise during the period analyzed.
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