Houston
Zillow: These 4 Drees cities among best metros for first-time homebuyers
Posted on May 07, 2026 by dreeshomes
Posted on May 07, 2026 by dreeshomes
Four cities that Drees builds new homes in—Jacksonville, Florida; San Antonio and Houston, Texas and Raleigh, North Carolina —are among the top 10 cities that are best for first-time homebuyers, according to a recent Zillow analysis. The Zillow report analyzed the 50 largest US metros based on how much of the typical income goes to rent (and how much is left to save for a house), the share of homes for sale that fit a typical household's budget and how much competition home buyers will face.
This coastal city is at the top of Zillow’s list, due to its affordability for first-time homebuyers. Nearly half of Zillow listings are affordable to a median-income household, with the typical home valued around $349,000.
When you build with Drees, you can live your best life in Jacksonville, aka the "First Coast" of Florida! With a low-maintenance new home, you’ll have more time to boat, swim, fish, surf and otherwise explore 80,000 acres of the country's largest urban park system and 22 miles of waterways and pristine white sand beaches of Northern Florida. Not to mention the countless dining, shopping and entertainment options in the Jacksonville, Florida metro area. It will take you a month just to play all the award-winning golf courses! Welcome to your enviable life with your new home in Jacksonville.
Drees offers townhomes in Jacksonville from the high $200s and single-family homes from the high $300s. Drees currently builds in six communities in the Jacksonville area: McGirt’s Creek and Tyson Forest near Fernandina Beach, Creighton Pointe on St. Johns River, Baxley Villas in Middleburg and Trailmark and Landing at Olde Florida in St. Augustine.
In San Antonio, saving for a down payment can feel more realistic, as rent in this city takes up just 20% of the income, according to Zillow. Plus, growing inventory and higher price cuts mean first-time homebuyers have more choices than they did just a year ago.
Home of The Alamo and beautiful River Walk bike and walking path, San Antonio, Texas offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern amenities. Explore a thriving arts culture and city-wide fiestas or treat the family to amusement parks and marine life at SeaWorld. Enjoy the best of the Texas Hill Country with a new home in San Antonio, Boerne, Marion, New Braunfels, and beyond.
Drees builds 55 single-family floor plans across 15 communities in the San Antonio/Boerne/New Braunfels area. Pricing starts in the high $400s.
Zillow reported the typical home in Houston, Texas is valued around $307,000, down about 2% since last year, and inventory is up nearly 12%. This means more options and less pressure for homebuyers just entering the market.
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the U.S. and a dynamic hub of culture, commerce, and opportunity. Known as the “Energy Capital of the World,” Houston is home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the world’s largest medical complex and more Fortune 500 headquarters than almost any other city. But beyond the skyline, you’ll find a rich blend of forested land, marshes and prairie that make the Gulf Coastal Plain a beautiful place to call home.
From world-class dining and shopping to major performing arts venues and professional sports, Houston offers something for everyone. With new homes near the Grand Parkway, top-rated schools and major employers, you’ll enjoy the perfect balance of work, play and relaxation.
Drees has you covered with dozens of modern, award-winning floor plans to choose from. Discover your new home in Houston, Conroe, Cypress, Fulshear, Katy, Montgomery, Porter, Richmond, Todd Mission, Waller and beyond.
In Raleigh, North Carolina, buyers have more choices and less pressure, according to Zillow. Listings are up 26% from a year ago, with the typical home valued around $436,000. In the Raleigh/Durham area, Drees offers 27 floor plans with pricing from the mid-400s.
Known locally as “The Triangle,” this vibrant region is anchored by Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill—home to North Carolina State, Duke University and the University of North Carolina. These top institutions, along with the renowned Research Triangle Park, make the Raleigh metro area a national leader in research, life sciences and technology. Enjoy over 100 miles of trails in the Capital Area Greenway System, explore local parks and lakes, or take in the thriving arts, dining and cultural scenes in both Raleigh and Durham. Relax in your new home among the peaceful suburbs of Angier, Mebane, Wake Forest, Knightdale and the surrounding Raleigh metro area.
From Instagram inspiration and Pinterest pins to your final floor plan, Drees makes it easy to bring it all together. We know your home is more than a dwelling. It’s an expression of who you are and what you value. Designing a custom home is a very personal endeavor, and we want to be here to help you every step of the way. To get started, contact Austin's New Home Specialist Amy Schmidt here.