Massachusetts Has 2 of the 10 Hottest ZIP Codes in America for 2026
Massachusetts real estate is making national headlines again.
Realtor.com® recently released its Hottest ZIP Codes of 2026, and Massachusetts didn’t just make the Top 10 - it landed two spots on the list, including the #1 hottest ZIP code in the country.
Peabody, Massachusetts (01960) ranked #1, while Westfield, Massachusetts (01085) came in at #5.
For Massachusetts homeowners, buyers, and anyone keeping an eye on the housing market, the rankings offer another indication that buyer demand remains strong in certain communities across the Commonwealth.
What Are the Hottest ZIP Codes in Massachusetts?
According to Realtor.com®'s 2026 rankings:
#1 — Peabody, MA | 01960
Located on the North Shore, Peabody earned the top spot in the country. Realtor.com®'s market data also identifies 01960 as a seller's market, meaning there are more people looking to purchase homes than homes available for sale.
As of June 2026, the ZIP code had a median listing price of approximately $649,900, with homes spending a median of 25 days on the market.
#5 — Westfield, MA | 01085
On the other side of the state, Westfield's 01085 ZIP code landed at #5 nationally.
Realtor.com® also classifies 01085 as a seller's market. As of June 2026, its median listing price was approximately $371,500, and homes spent a median of just 12 days on the market.
Two very different Massachusetts communities. Two spots among the country's hottest ZIP codes.
What Makes a ZIP Code "Hot"?
A "hot" real estate market isn't simply a place where homes are expensive.
Realtor.com®'s rankings look at market demand and the pace of the market, including how much attention listings receive from potential buyers and how quickly homes sell.
That distinction is important.
A community doesn't need to have the highest home prices in the country to attract significant buyer interest. Buyers are also weighing factors such as location, lifestyle, housing options, commuting access, affordability, and the amount of inventory available.
When a large number of buyers are competing for a relatively limited number of desirable homes, the result can be a very active local market.
Why Is Peabody, MA Getting So Much Attention?
Peabody offers something many Massachusetts buyers are searching for: access to the Greater Boston area and North Shore communities without being directly in Boston.
The city also offers a variety of housing styles and neighborhoods, giving buyers options depending on their needs and budget.
The numbers help illustrate the level of demand. Realtor.com® reported that homes in Peabody sold for an average of approximately 103% of their asking price in June 2026, while identifying the community as a seller's market.
Landing at #1 on a national ZIP code ranking puts an even brighter spotlight on a market that was already attracting buyers.
Westfield Shows That Buyer Demand Isn't Just a Greater Boston Story
Westfield's #5 ranking is noteworthy for another reason: it demonstrates that Massachusetts real estate demand isn't limited to Boston and its surrounding suburbs.
Located in Western Massachusetts, Westfield offers a very different market from Peabody.
Its lower median listing price may appeal to buyers looking for additional affordability while remaining in Massachusetts. And with homes in 01085 spending a median of only 12 days on the market as of June 2026, properties were moving quickly.
For homeowners, that's an important reminder that strong demand can exist in markets across the state—not just inside the I-495 corridor.
What Does This Mean for Massachusetts Homeowners?
If you're thinking about selling, headlines like these are certainly encouraging—but they don't automatically mean every home in Massachusetts will sell immediately or receive multiple offers.
Real estate is hyperlocal.
Demand can change considerably from one town to another, one neighborhood to another, and sometimes even one price range to another.
Your home's condition, location, pricing strategy, presentation, competition, and timing all play a role in determining how buyers respond.
That's why looking at national headlines is only the beginning.
The more useful question for a homeowner is:
What's happening with homes like mine, in my specific market, right now?
A local market analysis can help answer that by looking at recent sales, current competition, buyer activity, days on market, pricing trends, and other factors specific to your property.
What Does This Mean for Massachusetts Homebuyers?
For buyers, a competitive market doesn't mean you should give up—it means preparation matters.
Before beginning your home search, it helps to understand:
- How quickly desirable homes are selling?
- What properties are actually selling for compared with their asking prices?
- How much competition exists in your price range?
- Which contingencies may be important to you?
- Where you have flexibility on location, property type, or features?
- What makes an offer competitive without taking on unnecessary risk?
Even within a "hot" market, every property is different. Some homes may generate immediate competition, while others may offer buyers more room to negotiate.
Having a strategy before the right home hits the market can make a significant difference.
The Bigger Massachusetts Real Estate Story
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the 2026 Hottest ZIP Codes list isn't simply that Peabody ranked #1 or Westfield ranked #5.
It's that Massachusetts continues to attract significant homebuyer interest across very different parts of the state.
Peabody represents the competitive Greater Boston and North Shore market, while Westfield highlights demand in Western Massachusetts.
For homeowners considering a move, that makes this an especially interesting time to find out what their property could be worth—and what buyer demand looks like in their particular community.
Is Your Massachusetts ZIP Code Hot, Too?
You don't have to live in one of the country's Top 10 hottest ZIP codes to be in a strong seller's market.
If you're wondering what your Massachusetts home could sell for in today's market, or you're trying to decide whether now is the right time to make a move, we'd be happy to help you look at the numbers.
At Crawford Realty Team, we help Massachusetts buyers and sellers understand what's happening locally so they can make informed real estate decisions.
Thinking about selling? Let's find out what buyers are doing in your market.
Contact Crawford Realty Team for a personalized Massachusetts real estate market analysis.
Source: Realtor.com® Hottest ZIP Codes of 2026 and Realtor.com® Economic Research. Market statistics referenced are as of June 2026 and are subject to change.
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