The 10 strongest U.S. housing markets

1. Boulder, Colo.

Share of homes with increasing values: 59.39%
Median value: $347,200
Annual change: 2.12%
Quarterly change: 3.86%

Boulder, about 35 miles northwest of Denver, has had a relatively stable housing market, in part, because it is home to strong employers, including the University of Colorado, as well as a base of affluent residents. The supply of homes is limited in Boulder by the mountains to the west and its tens of thousands of acres of protected open space.

2. Spartanburg, S.C.

Share of homes with increasing values: 56.81%
Median value: $106,900
Annual change: 1.81%
Quarterly change: 2.15%

Spartanburg, about 75 miles west of Charlotte, is home to the world headquarters of the Denny's restaurant chain and three colleges — Converse College, Spartanburg Methodist College and Wofford College. It has the state's highest per capita college student population. College towns such as Boulder, Colo., and Spartanburg have been somewhat buffered from the downturn because the schools provide solid jobs and a steady flow of apartment and home renters.

3. New Orleans

Share of homes with increasing values: 53.62%
Median value: $148,000
Annual change: -0.61%
Quarterly change: 0.66%

New Orleans' market is unique because of the impact of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Construction is booming in the area thanks to federal incentives, insurance money and private investment. Louisiana also benefits from having a strong energy sector and a limited number of the risky loans that were popular in the states with the biggest housing bubbles.

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4. Binghamton, N.Y.

Share of homes with increasing values: 53.61%
Median value: $112,300
Annual change: 4.45%
Quarterly change: 1.54%

Binghamton has had a relatively stable housing market. It didn't reach great heights during the boom and hasn't crashed either. The city in upstate New York is home to Binghamton University, one of the nation's highest-ranked public universities. The area also has an opera company, minor league baseball and nearby hiking and fishing opportunities.

5. Fayetteville, N.C.

Share of homes with increasing values: 53.23%
Median value: $119,800
Annual change: 13.12%
Quarterly change: 2.22%

The economy in Fayetteville, located near Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base, is heavily dependent on the military. It also has seven museums, three colleges and universities, golf courses and a historic downtown.

6. Pittsburgh

Share of homes with increasing values: 48.80%
Median value: $108,700
Annual change: -2.89%
Quarterly change: 0.12%

Pittsburgh, once a thriving steel town, now has a more diversified economy that includes biomedical, health and education. Major employers include the University of Pittsburgh and Alcoa.

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7. Little Rock, Ark.

Share of homes with increasing values: 46.96%
Median value: $121,200
Annual change: 0.04%
Quarterly change: 2.55%

Little Rock, the state capital, has a strong economy. The area has university, health-care and government jobs and has a growing wind energy industry. Little Rock did not participate in the housing bubble and has remained steady since it burst elsewhere.

8. Gainesville, Ga.

Share of homes with increasing values: 46.63%
Median value: $139,100
Annual change: 4.18%
Quarterly change: 4.50%

Gainesville, located on the shores of Lake Lanier about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta and 40 miles northwest of Athens, is known as the chicken capital of the world and even has a statue of a chicken topping an obelisk in the downtown. The area also has jobs in higher education, medicine and retail.

9. Burlington, N.C.

Share of homes with increasing values: 45.41%
Median value: $125,200
Annual change: 4.61%
Quarterly change: 0.33%

Burlington, a couple of hours northeast of Charlotte and a few hours from the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, was once a thriving textile town. Today its large employers include LabCorp, a major clinical laboratory company. Honda plans to build a plant in Burlington, where it will manufacture light commercial jets.

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10. Oklahoma City

Share of homes with increasing values: 40.20%
Median value: $119,600
Annual change: 4.94%
Quarterly change: 1.85%

The Oklahoma City metro area, which includes the state capital, is one of the nation's most affordable metros. The area is home to Devon Energy and Chesapeake Energy and has strong oil and natural gas sectors.

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