After an economic failure, panic ensues. The market crashes, everyone scurries around looking for stability, yet no one seems to know how to calm the mass hysteria. If the economy fails, one way to avoid launching into a crisis involves owning a stable home. When these recessions happen, housing prices plummet alongside interest rates and demand. The best place to plant roots during a downturn is a pre-established economy like any of the following. 

1. Austin, Texas

During the pandemic, housing prices in Austin skyrocketed, though the amount of houses on the market depleted. The opposite is true today; the houses dropped in value, opening up extra homes to potential buyers. Currently, the community pours its heart into creating new jobs for Austin residents to fuel the economy. If the economy fails, this group's passion will enhance the healthy community. 

2. Houston, Texas

The median price of a house in Houston is $330,000, which is about $200,000 below the median Housing price in Austin. Though proving a competitive market with quick market sales, Houston’s market prices decline each year. In this case, the decrease in pricing opened up the market, allowing more people to buy houses, yet the market faced a cool-down period. Snagging a house during a cool-down period can cement low interest rates and lower mortgage prices. Living in a populated market with fixed housing prices leads to a heightened focus on other aspects of the economy, like job searching, not looking for housing. 

3. Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha, Nebraska, experiences healthy market demand. Houses inch toward a minimal price decrease of 0.5%, but that data points to a stabilized future for the Nebraskan city. With a growing demand, homeowners and realtors work with buyers' needs to match demand. The friendly neighborhood boasts an average house value of $279,760, making the market competitive and affordable compared to other conflated areas. 

4. Kansas City, Missouri

The Kansas City metropolitan hub attracts residents with its affordable, progressive market. The median housing price sits at $285,000, with an expected increase each year. The city also welcomes new residents thanks to the creation of new jobs. However, if the economy were to fail, the already low price would sink, admitting new homeowners to the budget climate. 

5. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

How well a market fares during a recession hinges on its ability to level itself out before the economic issue. Philadelphia’s market experienced a hefty price increase between this year and last year, though the post-market selling time remained the same: 48 days. The market only sold 32 fewer houses this year vs. 2023, which suggests if the economy tanked, the housing demand would rise as the house’s selling prices dropped. 

6. Denver, Colorado

At the moment, realtor.com asserts that Colorado faces a balanced housing market; therefore, the supply of homes matches the demand. Also, the asking price matches the selling price in Denver in 99.71% of sales. The demand matches the supply, and house prices depreciate each year. For a market crash, we predict Denver’s market will follow suit to match up with the demand.  

7. Columbus, Ohio

Colombus’s market adjusts to the needs of its customers and potential customers. The market pledges affordability and convenience while tailoring offers to younger potential residents. Realtors and market experts believe the Columbus market will continue to extend cheaper mortgage rates to interested clients, increasing the overall value of the market. That being said, the vibe directed at serving the community’s needs won’t diminish due to a crisis. 

8. Richmond, Virginia

Richmond’s housing market witnesses a steady increase both in prices and purchases. The higher housing prices reflect the extra time taken before solidifying the purchase. Last year, buyers waited ten days post-market announcement to buy a house vs. this year’s 12 days, although Richmond sold fourteen more homes in 2024. Richmond’s cost of living is 5% below the national average. Experts point out that incoming Richmond homeowners move out of cities costing above the national average, like New York City and Los Angeles. Since Richmond keeps the cost of living lower than the average, herds of people will move there in an economic crisis. 

9. Indianapolis, Indiana

Living in Indianapolis authorizes homeowners extra cash-earning capabilities, one in which the earned wages flow into separate avenues besides all home expenses. The market inched 0.7% home value growth compared to last year, paired with a selling price swooping below the national average, resulting in happier clients and a jump in future residents. Indianapolis’s housing market mirrors Columbus's in terms of pleasing potential buyers. 

10. Fort Wayne, Indiana

Home prices in Fort Wayne escalated 4.8% since last year, bumping the median home sale price to $220,000. Expensive for established Fort Wayne citizens, way beneath the national average. The homes sell a tad bit below the listing price, 1% exactly, though in-demand homes can sell 2% above the asking price. To me, that data indicates the power of persuasion from buyers and sellers. Jumping off that relationship, in a hypothetical scenario where the economy crashed, the buyer and seller could work together to designate a fair price for each party. 

11. Phoenix, Arizona

Where other market prices increase each year, Phoenix’s drops. Realtor.com noted that Phoenix’s market sinks 4.8% in home listing prices each year. The median selling price is $452,000 in Phoenix. As other markets amp up the prices to keep up with the trends, Phoenix backs off, catering to the buyers' needs rather than the market’s greed. 

12. Bradenton, Florida

Houses in Bradenton exist way below the median selling price in Florida. The average sold home price in Florida is $402,500, while the median sale price in Bradenton dwindled from $393,000 to $365,000 over a year. The 7% decrease alludes to the low demand and high supply of the houses, a promising asset in Bradenton’s future market. Following an economic debacle, potential homeowners may view Bradenton with an eye toward the constant dips in price and low demand for a sturdy home base. 

13. Fort Collins, Colorado

Fort Collins’s market replicates the data expressed above about Bradenton. Both markets saw a fall in the selling price of homes over the past year. This year, Fort Collins faced an average listing price of $575,000 with an average selling price of $535,000. The listing price fell 3.8% from last year, producing a greater market interest. Fort Collins’s housing inventory outnumbers the amount of interested buyers, which generates lower-priced homes, emphasizing the idea that if future economic terror struck, sellers would lower prices further.

14. Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston’s housing market undergoes substantial ups and downs each month, generating a sometimes shifty buying opportunity. Buyers never know when the market will flatline for the year or soar. However, Charleston’s housing market leans toward the less competitive side, generating a 97.6% sales-to-list price. So, even if you approach a seller during a period of inflation, they are more likely to cater to your financial wishes. The same tactic applies during economic mishaps.