For the second year in a row, the nation’s hottest ZIP code is right here on the North Shore, and Aluxety is once again part of the national conversation.
realtor.com has named Peabody’s 01960 ZIP code the #1 Hottest ZIP Code in America for 2026, following Beverly’s 01915 ZIP code taking the top spot in 2025. For the second consecutive year, realtor.com turned to Adeline Matton, co-founder and co-owner of Aluxety, for local insight into what is driving buyer demand in these highly competitive North Shore markets.
The annual realtor.com Hottest ZIP Codes ranking measures two key indicators of housing market demand: the number of unique listing viewers per property and how quickly homes are selling.
This year, those metrics put Peabody at the top of the list.
Why Peabody Is Attracting Buyers
Peabody offers a combination that has become increasingly valuable to Greater Boston buyers: established neighborhoods, convenient access to Boston and major highways, local amenities, and relative affordability compared with many communities closer to the city.
“Peabody is a great community offering a neighborhood feel, a vibrant downtown, and close proximity to local highways,” Adeline Matton told realtor.com. “Peabody also has one of the lowest tax rates on the North Shore and its municipal electric department keeps utilities affordable.”
During the first half of 2026, the typical Peabody listing received more than four times the national average number of views per property and spent just 20 days on the market. As of June, the city’s median asking price was $667,000, approximately 20% below the Boston metro average of more than $800,000.
That relative affordability is particularly significant because much of Peabody’s buyer demand is coming from within the Greater Boston market. According to realtor.com, Boston-area buyers accounted for approximately 70% of the city’s total buyer demand.
As Adeline Matton shared with realtor.com, “Peabody has become one of the North Shore’s best value markets.”
5 Carol Ann, Peabody, MA 01960 listed by Henry Pizzo, Realtor
Strong Demand Across the Peabody Market
Although the number of homes available for sale in Peabody has recently increased, buyer demand remains strong.
realtor.com reported that move-in-ready, three- to four-bedroom single-family homes priced between $500,000 and $800,000 are among the city’s most sought-after properties. But activity isn’t limited to that price range.
Adeline Matton pointed to a recent five-bedroom Peabody home listed by Henry Pizzo of The Pizzo Group, Aluxety co-founder and co-owner, for $995,000 that generated 25 buyer inquiries in less than 24 hours, a strong example of how quickly well-positioned properties can capture attention in the current market.
The activity reflects something Aluxety agents see throughout the North Shore: today’s buyers are weighing more than price alone. Location, accessibility, community amenities, space, and long-term value all factor into where buyers are choosing to put down roots.
Two Years, Two North Shore Communities
Peabody’s recognition also continues a remarkable run for the North Shore.
In 2025, realtor.com named Beverly’s 01915 ZIP code the hottest ZIP code in America. Adeline Matton was also featured in that coverage, sharing her perspective on the coastal city’s enduring appeal.
She highlighted Beverly’s scenic setting, harbor and beaches, parks and green spaces, thriving downtown, and the combination of amenities and accessibility that have helped keep its housing market strong.
One year later, neighboring Peabody has taken the country’s top spot.
While Beverly and Peabody offer distinctly different lifestyles, their back-to-back recognition points to the broader strength and desirability of the North Shore. Buyers continue to seek communities that offer access to Greater Boston while providing the space, amenities, character, and quality of life that make living north of the city so appealing.
Local Expertise on a National Stage
Having Aluxety’s local expertise included in realtor.com’s coverage for the second consecutive year is especially meaningful because real estate is, at its core, local.
National statistics can identify broader trends, but understanding what is happening within an individual community requires firsthand knowledge of its neighborhoods, housing stock, pricing, buyer behavior, amenities, and changing market conditions.
With Beverly topping the rankings in 2025 and Peabody taking the #1 spot in 2026, the North Shore continues to earn national recognition as one of Greater Boston’s most desirable places to call home.
Aluxety is proud to serve these communities and proud to have our local market expertise recognized on a national level for the second year in a row.
Thinking about buying or selling in Peabody, Beverly, or elsewhere on the North Shore? Connect with Aluxety to learn more about today’s market and what these trends could mean for your next move.