Timing and preparation are everything—especially in the real estate world. Right now, certain U.S. cities are seeing significant drops in home prices, and while this may seem like a future trend, the smart developers and agents are already positioning themselves to dominate these markets. The key? Start marketing in these cities before prices plummet further. By establishing your presence now, you’ll be ready to capture the attention of eager buyers who are already on the lookout for deals.

In a market that is constantly shifting, being proactive with your marketing strategies can make all the difference. Waiting until prices hit rock bottom could mean losing out to competitors who started their campaigns earlier. With digital marketing, you can target these specific cities, generate leads, and build trust with potential buyers before the competition even realizes what’s happening.

 

10 U.S. Cities Where You Should Be Marketing Now

Here are the top 10 affordable U.S. cities where home prices are dropping and how real estate marketers can seize these opportunities based on the location and unique buyer demands of each city.

1. Miami, FL

Median list price: $525,000

Percentage change year over year: -12.4%

Miami’s vibrant lifestyle is a huge draw for international buyers, retirees, and young professionals. Marketers need to create campaigns that highlight Miami’s unique appeal—beachfront living, multicultural communities, and proximity to Latin America for international business connections.

Target international buyers: Use multilingual SEO strategies and content that speaks to overseas buyers, particularly from Latin America and Europe.

Leverage video marketing: Showcase the Miami lifestyle—sun, beaches, nightlife—through virtual tours, drone footage, and testimonials from current residents.

Create niche campaigns: Focus on Miami’s luxury condo market and market those price drops as rare opportunities to secure prime real estate. You can also focus on retirees seeking beachfront living.

2. Cincinnati, OH

Median list price: $337,000

Percentage change year over year: -9.5%

Cincinnati is a great opportunity for marketers to appeal to families, young professionals, and first-time homebuyers. The city’s relatively low cost of living and growing economy make it attractive for those seeking affordability without sacrificing job opportunities.

Family-friendly campaigns: Highlight Cincinnati’s family-friendly environment, affordable housing, and growing job market. Use Facebook and Instagram ads to target young families and professionals looking for a stable environment to grow in.

Promote job growth: Market the city’s growing tech, healthcare, and education sectors through LinkedIn and Google Ads to attract professionals relocating from more expensive markets.

Local partnerships: Work with local businesses to co-create content that shows Cincinnati’s community atmosphere, schools, and local amenities, building trust with out-of-state buyers.

3. San Francisco, CA

Median list price: $997,500

Percentage change year over year: -8.9%

While San Francisco remains expensive, the drop in prices makes it more accessible to tech professionals and investors. Marketers should emphasize the city’s tech dominance and investment potential.

Target tech workers and investors: Focus on high-income earners in tech, finance, and startups. Use LinkedIn ads to attract tech professionals looking for prime real estate in proximity to their jobs.

Highlight long-term investment potential: Use blog content and video marketing to show that despite the drop, San Francisco is a resilient market with long-term gains.

Create urgency: With limited inventory, marketers can use scarcity tactics by highlighting that despite the price drop, San Francisco’s real estate is still highly competitive.

4. Kansas City, MO

Median list price: $389,500

Percentage change year over year: -8.4%

Kansas City is appealing for buyers looking for affordable housing in a growing business hub. The city has a strong local economy and a rising status in the tech and healthcare sectors, making it ideal for young professionals and families.

Emphasize affordability and value: Create content that compares Kansas City’s affordability to larger cities like Chicago or Denver, emphasizing how much further a buyer’s money can go.

Target local buyers: Use geo-targeting ads to appeal to residents in nearby states like Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Iowa who are looking to relocate to a more urbanized yet affordable area.

Promote growing industries: Use LinkedIn and job forums to attract professionals in healthcare, IT, and business services.

5. Austin, TX

Median list price: $520,000

Percentage change year over year: -6.6%

Austin continues to thrive as a tech hub and cultural hotspot. Marketers should focus on targeting remote workers, tech professionals, and creatives.

Tech and remote worker appeal: Leverage Austin’s reputation as a remote work paradise. Target digital nomads, startups, and tech workers with ads showcasing the city’s innovation, coworking spaces, and lifestyle amenities.

Highlight lifestyle benefits: Use content marketing to emphasize Austin’s vibrant music scene, outdoor activities, and food culture. Instagram ads and lifestyle influencer collaborations can amplify these messages.

Promote new developments: Push new real estate developments that cater to the influx of young professionals, showcasing their modern amenities and proximity to Austin’s entertainment districts.

 

6. Jacksonville, FL

Median list price: $399,000

Percentage change year over year: -6.1%

Jacksonville’s affordability, job growth, and proximity to the coast make it a prime market for young professionals, retirees, and families looking for coastal living without the hefty price tag of Miami or Tampa.

Coastal living appeal: Use lifestyle imagery in marketing campaigns to show how Jacksonville offers a beach lifestyle at a fraction of the cost of other coastal cities in Florida. Target out-of-state buyers, particularly from the Northeast, with Facebook and Google Ads.

Highlight job market growth: Emphasize Jacksonville’s growing logistics, healthcare, and financial services industries to attract professionals looking for job security.

Target military families: Given Jacksonville’s proximity to naval bases, create targeted marketing campaigns aimed at military families looking to settle long-term in the area.

7. Denver, CO

Median list price: $610,250

Percentage change year over year: -6%

Denver’s combination of tech growth, outdoor lifestyle, and urban living makes it attractive to millennials and outdoor enthusiasts. Marketers should focus on buyers interested in both career opportunities and an active lifestyle.

Outdoor and tech-focused marketing: Emphasize Denver’s outdoor recreation (hiking, skiing, etc.) in social media ads and blog content. For professionals, use LinkedIn to target tech industry workers.

Promote work-life balance: Position Denver as a city where work-life balance is attainable. Content that highlights the ability to work in a thriving job market and escape to nature on the weekends will resonate with out-of-state buyers.

Target relocation buyers: Use paid search ads to target potential buyers moving from cities like San Francisco or New York, showcasing Denver’s more affordable cost of living and the growth in tech jobs.

8. Orlando, FL

Median list price: $429,950

Percentage change year over year: -5.6%

Orlando remains a family-oriented city, but with the growing presence of tech companies, it also appeals to young professionals. Marketers should highlight both family-friendly features and economic opportunities.

Tourism meets livability: Position Orlando as more than just a vacation spot. Create content that emphasizes its appeal as a permanent residence with strong school systems, parks, and growing industries. Facebook and YouTube ads can target parents and young families.

Target tech professionals: Market to professionals in the growing tech sector, highlighting job opportunities, lower housing costs, and proximity to major attractions.

Highlight Orlando’s growth potential: Use blog content and SEO strategies to promote the city’s economic growth, new housing developments, and up-and-coming neighborhoods.

9. Tampa, FL

Median list price: $414,948

Percentage change year over year: -5.5%

Tampa offers a thriving job market, coastal living, and a relatively low cost of living compared to other Florida cities. Marketers should focus on these lifestyle benefits and economic opportunities.

Coastal and city life balance: Use a mix of imagery showing both Tampa’s beaches and downtown skyline. Highlight this balance in Facebook and Instagram ads, targeting professionals who want a mix of work and leisure.

Remote work appeal: Target remote workers and entrepreneurs with Tampa’s growing coworking spaces and tech scene. Emphasize affordable living with proximity to Florida’s best attractions.

Market to retirees: Tampa is already a hotspot for retirees, so focus on showcasing affordable waterfront properties and active adult communities. Use targeted Google Ads for retirees or those planning for retirement.

10. Nashville, TN

Median list price: $547,865

Percentage change year over year: -5.4%

Nashville’s reputation as a cultural and entrepreneurial hub makes it appealing to young professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs. Marketers should focus on Nashville’s music, startup culture, and its growing industries.

Music and entrepreneurial culture: Highlight Nashville’s creative spirit, music scene, and growth in startup ventures. Instagram and LinkedIn can be useful for targeting creatives and young entrepreneurs looking to build a life in a city known for innovation.

Promote affordability compared to other creative hubs: Showcase Nashville as a more affordable alternative to cities like Los Angeles or New York, where creatives often struggle with housing costs.

Attract remote workers and investors: Emphasize Nashville’s growth as a remote, work-friendly city with lower taxes and a booming real estate market.

Is Now the Right Time to Buy?

In the current market, buyers have a unique opportunity to secure homes in cities that were previously out of reach. As home prices drop, potential buyers can take advantage of reduced competition and more affordable financing options. However, each individual’s circumstances—such as mortgage rates, long-term financial goals, and personal timing—play a critical role in the decision-making process.

For digital marketers and real estate developers and professionals, these shifts in the market present a chance to hone in on these affordable cities and use data-driven marketing strategies to capture the attention of potential buyers. Whether through SEO, social media campaigns, or targeted ads, now is the time to stand out in this dynamic market and help clients find their dream homes in these rising cities.