Millennials now make up the largest group of homebuyers in the U.S., and are choosing to lay down roots in big cities and up-and-coming metropolises versus suburbs and small towns.

In a January 6 report, online marketplace LendingTree ranked the 50 most popular metro areas for millennials. Houston lands right in the middle at No. 26.

To determine the rankings, LendingTree analyzed mortgage purchase requests made on their own platform across the nation, beginning January 1 through December 15, 2020.

Though less wealthier than their Baby Boomer and Gen X counterparts, LendingTree points to the current record-low mortgage rates spurred by the pandemic as a reason for the new swath of millennials looking to buy a home.

"What LendingTree [also] found was that millennials (defined as anyone born between 1981 and 1996) make up a majority of potential homebuyers in most of the country’s largest metros," the report says. "Location is typically a primary factor to consider when buying a home, but the pandemic has affected many aspects of the U.S. economy including various industries and local job markets."

Millennials make up 53.77 percent of people looking to purchase a home in the Bayou City, and boast an average age of 31 years, 7 months and a credit score of 660. When it comes to financing, young homebuyers bring an average downpayment of $34,361 and borrow $231,300.

That's well behind Austin, which takes eighth place on the list. Despite a crippled hospitality industry, the Central Texas job market is still considered strong, and the city drew even more attention in 2020 as a cavalry of California-based celebrities decamped to Austin.

Millennials make up 57.34 percent of homebuyers in the Capital City with an average age for a potential buyer of 31 years, 4 months and an average credit score of 687. When it comes to purchase power, Austin homebuyers bring an average of $47,940 as downpayment, and borrow an average of $288,461.

Right behind Houston is Dallas at No. 28. Millennials account for 53.7 percent of homebuyers in Big D, and have an average age of 31 years, 6 months. Millennial buyers bring an average downpayment of $34,815 and borrow $245,355 to finance their investment, says LendingTree.

San Antonio is the fourth and final Texas city in LendingTree's report. At No. 34, millennials make up 51.46 percent of homebuyers in the Alamo City, and have an average age of 31 years, 7 months. As for financing, buyers typically bring $25,867 and finance an average of $203,710.

Rounding out to the top 10 largest metros ranked by millennial popularity: San Jose, California (No. 1); Boston (No. 2); Denver (No. 3); Minneapolis (No. 4); Buffalo, New York (No. 5); San Francisco (No. 6); Salt Lake City (No. 7); Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (No. 9); and New York City (No. 10).