PENNSYLVANIA — While much of the U.S. housing market remains sluggish under the weight of high prices, economic uncertainty, and student loan debt, parts of Pennsylvania continue to defy the slowdown, with West Chester and Phoenixville emerging as two of the most competitive housing markets in the state.
A new analysis by Redfin Real Estate, published by Stacker, ranks the 20 most competitive housing markets in Pennsylvania using a blend of key indicators: months of housing supply, average sale-to-list price ratios, and median days on market. The data reflects activity from January through October 2025 and shows that, despite national headwinds, demand in select Pennsylvania communities remains intense.
West Chester ranked tied for 16th statewide, standing out as one of the most competitive markets in southeastern Pennsylvania. Homes there spent a median of just 20.4 days on the market, with buyers paying an average of 102.9 percent of list price. Inventory remained tight at 1.54 months of supply, while 56 percent of homes sold above asking price. Perhaps most striking, 77 percent of listings went off the market within two weeks, signaling fast-moving demand that continues to pressure buyers.
Phoenixville followed closely, also tying for 18th statewide and reinforcing Chester County’s reputation as a hotspot for competition. Homes in Phoenixville spent a median of 22.7 days on the market, sold for an average of 101.7 percent of list price, and operated with just 1.33 months of supply. Nearly 59 percent of homes sold above asking price, and more than 73 percent were snapped up within two weeks, reflecting strong buyer urgency.
Across Pennsylvania, Elizabethtown claimed the top spot overall, with homes selling in just over 10 days and more than half closing above list price. Emmaus, Bethlehem, and Montgomeryville rounded out the top tier, all posting sub-20-day market times and razor-thin inventory levels. In many of these markets, buyers routinely faced bidding wars, with sale prices exceeding list prices by wide margins.
The Redfin analysis shows that competitiveness varies sharply by location. While Sun Belt markets have seen slower sales even as mortgage rates eased, many Pennsylvania communities continue to experience constrained supply paired with steady demand. In several cities on the list, fewer than one month of housing inventory was available, a level widely considered to favor sellers.
For Chester County residents, the inclusion of both West Chester and Phoenixville highlights the sustained pressure in local housing markets. Even as broader economic uncertainty gives some buyers pause, competition in these communities remains fierce, rewarding sellers and challenging anyone hoping to enter the market without a strong offer and quick decision-making.
The full ranking illustrates that Pennsylvania’s housing story is far from uniform. In a market where timing, inventory, and local demand can outweigh national trends, West Chester and Phoenixville continue to prove that, in the right places, the housing battle is still very much alive.
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