Top New-Home Construction Markets of 2025: Boise Takes the #2 Spot!
- Sarah Breck
- Oct 17
- 3 min read
By Sarah Breck | Real Broker | Boise, Idaho Real Estate
If you’ve been wondering where America’s biggest new-home building booms are happening right now, Realtor.com just dropped their latest rankings — and it’s good news for Idaho.
The Boise metro area officially ranks #2 in the nation for new-home construction in 2025! 🙌But before we pop the champagne, let’s unpack why Boise (and a surprising Arkansas city) are leading the charge.
#1 Fayetteville, Arkansas — Walmart Country Is Booming
At the top of the list is Fayetteville, Arkansas, home to Walmart’s corporate headquarters in nearby Bentonville.
It turns out the area isn’t just known for rollback prices — it’s also where buyers can find a huge number of affordable, brand-new homes.
Key stat: Over 40% of all homes for sale in the Fayetteville metro are new construction, and the median price for a new home is $399,717 — which is cheaper than existing homes averaging $418,375.
So yes, you can move into a shiny, energy-efficient home for less than a 1990s fixer-upper down the street.
Fayetteville’s secret sauce? A powerhouse job market fueled by Walmart, the University of Arkansas, and a growing ecosystem of vendors and small businesses.
In other words, the region offers that rare trifecta of affordability, opportunity, and lifestyle — all in one package.
#2 Boise, Idaho — Where Quality Meets Opportunity
And then there’s Boise — the rising star of the West.
Boise’s #2 ranking highlights something locals already know: new construction is transforming our housing market.
With existing homeowners clinging to their low-interest-rate mortgages, builders have stepped up, creating brand-new inventory across the Treasure Valley.
From sleek starter homes in Kuna to luxury builds in Eagle and Meridian, new construction now makes up a major share of Boise’s listings — and many of them are competitively priced against resale homes.
On a national scale, new homes are now cheaper per square foot than existing ones —
New builds: $218.66/sq. ft.
Existing homes: $226.56/sq. ft.
That’s right — brand new is often a better deal.
What Realtor.com Looked At for New-Home Construction
Realtor.com’s research team ranked the top 100 metros based on four key factors:
Share of new-home listings
Price gap between new and existing homes
Climate risk resilience
Buyer demand for new construction
Notably, seven out of ten top metros are in the South, and over half are college towns — places with strong local economies and younger, growing populations driving demand.
After Fayetteville and Boise, the list continues with Nashville, McAllen, Portland (Maine), Madison, Greenville, Austin, Charlotte, and Raleigh.
Why New Construction Matters in 2025
With mortgage rates still higher than buyers would like, new construction has become the hero of housing inventory.
Nationally, we have:
9.8 months of new-home supply, versus
4.7 months of existing-home supply.
That’s a huge gap — and it’s creating opportunities for buyers who know where to look.
Modern homes also come with perks like:
Energy-efficient systems
Lower maintenance
Smart-home features
Reduced climate risk
And as Realtor.com’s Chief Economist Danielle Hale said:
“Buyers in these metros have a real chance to find high-quality, newly built homes at prices they can afford.”
My Take as a Boise Agent
For Boise buyers, this trend is golden. Builders are offering creative incentives — from rate buydowns to closing cost credits — to make deals happen.
In some cases, you can walk into a brand-new home for less than an existing resale.That’s not just exciting — it’s strategic.
If you’ve been on the fence about buying, new construction might be your path to homeownership and long-term value.
Want to Explore New Builds in Boise?
If you’re ready to explore new construction options around Boise, let’s chat.I can help you:✅ Compare builder incentives✅ Understand true monthly costs✅ Find the right neighborhoods for your goals
Or download my Boise New Construction Playbook for a full list of active builders, incentives, and upcoming communities.
In Grit & Gorgeous Lighting,
Sarah Breck
Real Estate Agent | Real Broker
📞 208-918-0265
Comments