Starter homes are getting harder to find. These 20 cities are bucking the trend.

Starter homes are becoming harder to come by in all but a few major metros. dpproductions/Getty Images The market for starter homes is decreasing, but some cities still have plenty available. A report from Realtor.com shows that fewer than a quarter of large metro areas are starter-home-dominant. The number of starter homes is falling nationally, but it's increasing in some cities. As mortgage rates continue to reach new heights , options for first-time buyers are dwindling. Even starter homes — affordable properties that entice first-time homebuyers get their foot in the door — are jumping in price. The inventory of starter homes has recently decreased across the country. Data from Realtor.com shows that the national starter home share dropped from 38.1% to 36.2% from August 2019 to 2026, but the price during that timeframe increased 30.8%, from about $260,000 to $340,000.