Data: Zillow; Map: Sami Sparber/Axios; Note: Starter homes are those in the bottom third of home values in a given region A record 242 American cities now have typical starter homes valued at $1 million or more, according to a new Zillow report. Why it matters: That's up from 226 cities last year — and 80 in February 2020, before the pandemic housing boom sent home prices soaring.