2025’s Boom/Bust Cities: Predicting Next Year’s Winners

Published on May 30, 2024

by Adrian Sterling

The year 2020 has been nothing short of tumultuous, with a global pandemic causing economic uncertainty and shifts in various industries. This has left many wondering what the future holds, especially when it comes to the real estate market. As we look ahead to 2025, it’s important to consider which cities will experience a boom or bust in the coming years. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of the top contenders for 2025’s boom/bust cities and what factors may contribute to their success or failure.2025’s Boom/Bust Cities: Predicting Next Year’s Winners

Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh has been steadily growing in popularity over the years, thanks to its thriving technology and research industries. With big players like IBM, Cisco, and Amazon establishing a presence in the city, it’s no surprise that Raleigh has topped many lists for best places to live and work. This growth is expected to continue in the coming years, with the city’s population projected to grow by 37% by 2025. This growth, combined with a relatively low cost of living and high quality of life, could make Raleigh a top contender for a boom city in 2025.

Detroit, Michigan

On the other end of the spectrum, we have Detroit, which has been struggling to recover from the economic downturn of the early 2000s. However, in recent years, the city has made great strides in revitalizing its downtown area, attracting tech startups and new businesses. This revitalization effort, combined with affordable housing and a growing arts and culture scene, has put Detroit on the radar as a potential boom city in 2025. However, it’s important to note that there are still challenges to be addressed, such as high crime rates and a struggling public education system.

San Francisco, California

San Francisco has long been known as a hub for technology and innovation, but the city’s exorbitant housing prices have put a damper on its potential for growth. However, with the rise of remote work and the pandemic causing a shift in real estate trends, San Francisco may be poised for a comeback in 2025. Many tech companies have already announced plans to allow employees to work remotely permanently, which could lead to a decrease in housing demand and subsequently lower prices. If this trend continues, we could see a resurgence of interest in San Francisco as a top boom city.

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Scranton may not be a city that immediately comes to mind when thinking about boom or bust potential, but it has been making strides in recent years to attract new businesses and residents. Known for its coal mining history, the city has shifted its focus to industries such as healthcare, education, and logistics. In fact, Scranton was recently named one of the best places to start a business by CNBC. With a lower cost of living compared to other nearby cities like New York and Philadelphia, Scranton may just surprise us as a top boom city in 2025.

So, what factors should we consider when predicting a boom or bust city in 2025?

While these four cities are just a small sample of potential boom or bust contenders, there are a few key factors that can help us make more accurate predictions. These include job growth, population growth, affordability, and overall quality of life. Cities that are experiencing an influx of jobs and population while maintaining a high quality of life and affordability are more likely to experience a boom in the coming years.

The importance of adaptability and resilience

2020 has taught us the importance of adaptability and resilience when it comes to the real estate market. As we look ahead to 2025, it’s important to consider how cities are adapting to changing circumstances and how they will continue to do so in the future. Flexibility and innovation will be key for cities to navigate any potential economic booms or busts that may occur.

In conclusion, while there is no crystal ball to tell us for sure which cities will experience a boom or bust in 2025, we can make informed predictions based on current trends and factors. Whether it’s Raleigh’s booming tech industry, Detroit’s revitalization efforts, San Francisco’s potential for lower housing prices, or Scranton’s rise as a business hub, it will certainly be interesting to see which cities come out on top in the years to come.