Homebuyers can breathe easy, bargain and budget in Atlanta, one of the top 10 most buyer-friendly U.S. markets in 2026, according to Zillow.

The city ranked No. 2 nationally for buyer-friendliness based on internal Zillow data. Like the other metros on the list, many of which were located in the Midwest or Sunbelt, Atlanta offered prime conditions for buyers — meaning options abounded and price remained in check.

The typical value of an Atlanta home sat at $374,117 with a forecasted annual home value change of just 1.9 %.

Buyers in Atlanta can expect to spend around 30.5 % of a median household income to afford a typical mortgage payment.

“Lower competition gives buyers more time to decide and wiggle room to negotiate, adding up to a less stressful shopping experience,” said Orphe Divounguy, senior economist at Zillow. “Cooling prices today, paired with expected growth ahead, make for a good entry point for those who have been waiting for the right moment. For sellers, pricing strategically from the start becomes that much more important when buyers hold the power.”