The Best New England Birthplace of an Infamous Revolutionary War Traitor Is Now a Home Buyer’s Hot Spot
Nicknamed the “Rose of New England,” Norwich, CT, is perhaps best known for its Revolutionary War history as its birthplace. Benedict Arnold-but far from being a dusty museum town, this charming house is increasingly attracting buyers.
Located about halfway between New York City and Boston, the Norwich-New London, CT, metro, with a population of 280,000, ranked seventh in the Winter 2026 Wall Street Journal/Realtor.com® Housing Market Ranking after jumping 14 spots last quarter due to increased demand among buyers looking to trade up.
Senior economist for Realtor.com Hannah Jones says Norwich’s growing popularity is largely down to its convenient location near major employment centers in the Northeast, including Providence, RI, Hartford, CT, and New Haven, CT, all within 50 miles.
“The metro provides regional connectivity while keeping housing costs lower than many surrounding markets,” adds Jones.
The quarterly ranking examines the 200 most populous US metros as measured by the US Census Bureau, taking into account housing demand, housing inventory, average days on market, average price trends, property taxes, climate risk, unemployment rate, wages, regional price estimates, utilities, and other factors that affect the cost of living and quality of life.
The goal of the ranking is to help prospective homebuyers identify desirable markets to consider when purchasing a primary residence or investment property.
The Northeast Treaty
In December, the average home in Norwich cost just over $445,000, up about 10% from a year ago but still a relative gain compared to many major metros in the region, including Boston ($772,000), New York City ($749,000), and Providence ($549,900), according to the December housing market report.
Budget buyers struggling with affordability challenges and mortgage rates hovering above 6% in those high-priced markets have taken notice, turning to Norwich as a more affordable option.
In the third quarter of 2025, the highest share of Norwich listing views on Realtor.com came from New York (20.3%), followed by Hartford (18.1%), Boston (15.3%), Providence (5.8%), and New Haven (5.8%).
Norwich’s average listing stayed on the market for 52 days in December, a day shorter than in 2024, reflecting increased demand among strong inventory which, despite slight improvements, is still below 73% of 2019 norms.
Greg Hannerbroker and owner of Garden Realty in Waterford, CT, tells Realtor.com that looking for a home in Norwich is a “balancing act,” because while the metro has lower prices than other nearby markets, it has higher property taxes, and buyers should consider that before closing.
Hanner says he’s had people come from as far away as Florida and California buying homes in the area, but nearby Boston has been a source of continued demand as the city’s high home prices have pushed budget-conscious buyers farther south.
“They just got another house for the money,” said the seller.
Jobs and lifestyle
The economy of the city of Norwich is dominated by the health care services and the regional hospital systems; institutions of higher learning such as Connecticut College, the US Coast Guard Academy, and Norwich Free Academy; and advanced manufacturing led by submarine maker General Dynamics Electric Boat, all providing a steady source of employment.
“These anchors help maintain housing demand as economic growth slows elsewhere in the region,” Jones noted.
Additionally, Norwich is located between two major casinos, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods, which have a large economic impact on the area.
As of December, the unemployment rate in Norwich stood at 3.7%, well below the national rate of 4.4%.
Besides its active side, Norwich stands out for what Jones describes as “everyday lifestyle,” offering easy access to the Connecticut coast, a historic city center, museums, and cultural centers such as the Norwich Historical Society and Lathrop Schoolhouse and the Leffingwell House Museum.
“The scale of this area, small enough to be walkable but large enough to support services, adds to its appeal for families, retirees, and remote or hybrid workers,” added the analyst.
Revolutionary War buffs can follow a self-guided trail through the city in the footsteps of Norwich’s hometown hero-turned-traitor to the Patriot cause, Arnold, who was born in the city in 1741 when it was a British colony.
Norwich’s sharp rise in the rankings is indicative of a broader trend toward late 2025 across the Northeast and Midwest: central metros that offer accessibility, improved amenities, stability, strong quality of life, and regional connectivity are gaining favor with buyers who prioritize good value over quick appreciation.
These trends have caught the top markets, led by South Bend, IN, which climbed two spots from last quarter to claim the top spot this winter, followed by Appleton, WI, Manchester, NH, Canton, OH, Lancaster, PA, and Springfield, MA.
