15 U.S. Cities Building the Most New Homes
Some cities are still expanding quickly, even as construction slows in other markets. While nationwide building activity has dipped, these metros continue to add thousands of new housing units.
This gallery breaks down the top U.S. cities building the most new housing, including permit rates, total units authorized, and median home prices.
👉 Click or Scroll to see which housing markets are growing, and where homebuyers might still find opportunity.
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Housing Market Data Shows Where Supply Is Growing
Around 1.5 million new housing units were approved for construction, according to the latest data in a recent report from Construction Coverage.
That’s still not enough to close the nationwide housing gap. While most cities are slowing down, some are pushing ahead.
These figures show where permits were issued, not necessarily where homes are move-in ready yet. But permitting is a strong signal of future growth and inventory.
👉 Keep reading to see where new homes are going up, and where the housing market still offers opportunity.
#1 City Building the Most New Homes: Raleigh-Cary, North Carolina
Raleigh-Cary leads the nation with 28.8 new housing units authorized per 1,000 existing homes. That translates to 18,979 total new housing units approved last year. Even though permits have slowed since 2022, the city is still outpacing national averages by a wide margin.
Median home prices hover around $450,409, which isn’t cheap but it’s competitive for a high-growth, high-education market. Raleigh isn’t just building homes, it’s building momentum.
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#2 City Building the Most New Homes: Austin, Texas
Austin added nearly 60,000 new residents in just one year, and it’s still near the top in new construction. With 28.6 new homes permitted per 1,000 existing units, Austin continues to expand its housing stock, even as growth slows from earlier peaks.
Median home prices are around $451,858. High, yes, but not surprising for a city that’s become a tech and culture hub. If you’re trying to live in Austin, at least the city is still adding inventory.
#3 City Building the Most New Homes: Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
The Dallas-Fort Worth metro doesn’t get flashy headlines, but it’s building a massive number of homes, 71,788 permits in 2024 alone. That’s 22.2 new homes per 1,000 existing properties.
Median home prices sit at $377,186, lower than Austin and Phoenix but in a metro with equally massive sprawl. North Texas continues to lead on volume, if not on speed.
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#4 City Building the Most New Homes: Houston, Texas
Houston issued over 65,000 permits, 21.6 per 1,000 homes, which keeps it among the top cities for new housing. Construction is slowing a bit, but Houston’s size and affordability keep developers active.
Median home prices here are $314,262, making it one of the most affordable big metros in the country for new builds. Texas keeps showing up on this list for a reason.
#5 City Building the Most New Homes: Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix was the fastest-growing big city in the U.S. between 2010 and 2020, growing 11.2% to 1.6 million people. That pace hasn’t totally let up, homebuilders authorized 21.4 new units per 1,000 homes.
Median home prices are around $456,834, but high demand and desert land keep development going strong. Phoenix is still one of the few Western metros actively expanding housing stock.
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#6 City Building the Most New Homes: Charlotte, North Carolina–South Carolina
Charlotte continues to boom, with 21.3 new homes per 1,000 existing ones, and 25,935 total new housing units authorized. It straddles two states, which gives developers more room and fewer zoning headaches.
The median home price is $390,896, and demand stays high as businesses and transplants keep pouring in. It’s one of the most active metros in the Southeast for new builds.
#7 City Building the Most New Homes: Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville approved 20,038 new housing units, which works out to 21.1 new homes per 1,000 existing ones. That’s a sharp drop from two years ago, but still enough to keep the city in the top 10.
The median home price here is $459,668, higher than Charlotte or Dallas, and continued growth means demand won’t let up anytime soon. Nashville isn’t cheap, but it’s still building at a solid pace.
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#8 City Building the Most New Homes: Orlando, Florida
Since the 2020 Census, the Orlando region has gained 144,542 new residents, and the city issued 24,135 new housing permits, equal to 20.2 new units per 1,000 homes.
Median home prices are around $393,884, with strong tourism and population growth fueling demand. Even with a slowdown in new permits, Orlando is still adding homes faster than most of the country.
#9 City Building the Most New Homes: Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville issued 15,002 new housing units, which equals 19.4 new homes per 1,000 existing units. That’s a big drop from 2022’s pace, but the city still ranks high nationwide.
Median home prices sit at $357,233, which helps explain why people keep moving here. As other Florida metros get priced out, Jacksonville is picking up the slack.
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#10 City Building the Most New Homes: Omaha, Nebraska–Iowa
Omaha’s building pace actually increased, with 7,197 new homes authorized, 17.1 units per 1,000 existing homes. That’s up 17.6% from 2022, one of the strongest jumps on the list.
The median home price is $303,976, making it one of the more affordable metros among the top 15. Quietly but steadily, Omaha is becoming a housing success story in the Midwest.
#11 City Building the Most New Homes: Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta authorized 40,687 new homes, 15.8 per 1,000 homes, which is still massive, even though it’s down from 2022. The median price here is $389,097, and suburban growth is driving most of the new construction.
Atlanta may be slowing, but it’s still one of the biggest builders in raw volume.
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#12 City Building the Most New Homes: Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas issued 14,754 new permits, up nearly 13% since 2022. That puts the metro at 15.1 new homes per 1,000 existing ones. The median home price is $440,327, and builders are cautiously ramping back up after previous slowdowns.
Vegas is growing again, and it’s not just the casinos.
#13 City Building the Most New Homes: Columbus, Ohio
Columbus added 13,962 new homes, a 15.6% increase over 2022. That puts it at 14.7 new homes per 1,000 units, a strong showing for the Midwest.
With a median home price of $330,668 and a stable local economy, Columbus continues to add new supply without spiking prices. It’s one of the most balanced metros in the country right now.
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#14 City Building the Most New Homes: Richmond, Virginia
Richmond approved 8,642 new homes, equating to 14.7 per 1,000 homes. That’s down 17% from 2022, but still enough to keep it on the leaderboard.
Median home prices are $388,273, and new supply is helping keep things from overheating. Richmond may be cooling, but it’s still in the game.
#15 City Building the Most New Homes: San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio authorized 14,857 new homes, 13.6 new units per 1,000 existing homes. That’s a steep 39% drop from 2022, but the city still makes the top 15 for new construction.
With a median home price of just $286,497, San Antonio remains one of the most affordable metros on this list. Even as growth slows, it’s still building more than most.
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Homebuyer Opportunities in High-Building Cities
If you’re trying to get ahead in this housing market, follow the building permits. The metros adding the most homes are where opportunity still lives, new inventory, expanding suburbs, and fewer bidding wars.
More homes means more options, and more options mean better deals. It’s not about beating the market, it’s about picking a place that’s still building.
These cities are doing just that, and that’s where smart homebuyers should start looking.
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