10 Best States To Invest In Real State In The U.S. | Rental Choice (2024)

Deciding to become a property owner is a major step. To get a good return on your investment, it’s important to do thorough research on the real estate market. One of the most important factors to consider is the location of your property investment. If you need some guidance, here are the 10 best states to invest in real estate.

10 of the Best States to Invest in Real Estate

Location isn’t the only consideration when deciding to invest in real estate. However, it can help you narrow down the places where there is a good chance of real estate profitability. If you’re going to be a first-time property owner, here are some of the best states to invest in.

1. Indiana

10 Best States To Invest In Real State In The U.S. | Rental Choice (1)Indiana is currently one of the best states for real estate.

The median home cost is $142,600 with an 8.9% growth in the last 12 months. Compared to the U.S. average, the cost of living in Indiana is 17.9% lower.

Among the population, 27.1% are renters. The average rent is $573 for a studio, $662 for a one-bedroom, $825 for a two-bedroom, $1084 for a three-bedroom, and $1221 for a four-bedroom. Indianapolis is one of the best cities to invest in Indiana.

2. Ohio

Ohio is also a good place to invest in property. The median home cost is $140,700 with a 6.5% growth in the last 12 months. Compared to the U.S. average, the cost of living in Ohio is 17.4% lower.

Among the population, 29.5% are renters. The average rent is $551 for a studio, $636 for a one-bedroom, $811 for a two-bedroom, $1067 for a three-bedroom, and $1791 for a four-bedroom. Columbus and Cincinnati are two of the best cities to invest in Ohio.

3. North Carolina

10 Best States To Invest In Real State In The U.S. | Rental Choice (2)One of the best states to buy rental property is North Carolina.

The median home cost is $187,300 with a growth of 8.5% in the last 12 months. Compared to the U.S. average, the cost of living in North Carolina is 9.4% lower.

Among the population, 29.2% are renters. The average rent is $697 for a studio, $731 for a one-bedroom, $875 for a two-bedroom, $1172 for a three-bedroom, and $1430 for a four-bedroom. Raleigh, Durham, and Charlotte are the top cities to invest in North Carolina.

4. Tennessee

If you want a good return on your investment, consider buying rental property in Tennessee. The median home cost is $164,500 with an 8% growth in the last 12 months. Compared to the U.S. average, the cost of living in Tennessee is 12.4% lower.

Among the population, 28.8% are renters. The average rent is $622 for a studio, $696 for a one-bedroom, $852 for a two-bedroom, $1134 for a three-bedroom, and $1332 for a four-bedroom. Nashville is one of the best cities to invest in Tennessee.

5. Missouri

Real estate is also a worthwhile investment in Missouri. The median home cost is $159,500 with a 6.7% growth in the last 12 months. Compared to the U.S. average, the cost of living in Missouri is 14.1% lower.

Among the population, 27.8% are renters. The average rent is $569 for a studio, $650 for a one-bedroom, $827 for a two-bedroom, $1110 for a three-bedroom, and $1276 for a four-bedroom. Springfield and Kansas City are some of the best cities to invest in Missouri.

6. Idaho

10 Best States To Invest In Real State In The U.S. | Rental Choice (3)Idaho is another state that is worth buying real estate. Compared to other states on this list, the median home cost is higher at $263,900.

However, there has also been a 14% growth in the last 12 months. The cost of living in Idaho is 2.3% lower than the U.S. average.

Among the population, 26.7% are renters. The average rent is $542 for a studio, $626 for a one-bedroom, $802 for a two-bedroom, $1129 for a three-bedroom, and $1338 for a four-bedroom. Boise is one of the best cities to invest in Idaho.

7. Georgia

Next on the list of the best states to invest in real estate is Georgia. The median home cost is $186,500 with a 9.1% growth in the last 12 months. Compared to the U.S. average, the cost of living in Georgia is 6.6% lower.

Among the population, 30.8% are renters. The average rent is $790 for a studio, $821 for a one-bedroom, $958 for a two-bedroom, $1256 for a three-bedroom, and $ 1520 for a four-bedroom. Atlanta is one of the best cities to invest in Georgia.

8. Florida

10 Best States To Invest In Real State In The U.S. | Rental Choice (4)

Florida is one of the more expensive states on this list.

However, as home to some of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, buying real estate in this state is still a good investment.

The median home cost is $237,100 with a 7.8% growth in the last 12 months. Compared to the U.S. average, the cost of living in Florida is 2.8% higher.

Among the population, 27% are renters. The average rent is $832 for a studio, $945 for a one-bedroom, $1174 for a two-bedroom, $1584 for a three-bedroom, and $1903 for a four-bedroom. Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tampa are the top cities to invest in Florida.

9. Alabama

Alabama is another best place to buy real estate. The median home cost is $120,300 with a 6.9% growth in the last 12 months. Compared to the U.S. average, the cost of living in Alabama is 17.7% lower.

Among the population, 25.9% are renters. The average rent is $591 for a studio, $639 for a one-bedroom, $772 for a two-bedroom, $1021 for a three-bedroom, and $1191 for a four-bedroom. Huntsville is one of the best cities to invest in Alabama.

10. Texas

10 Best States To Invest In Real State In The U.S. | Rental Choice (5)Last but not least on our list of best places to invest in real estate is Texas.

The median home cost is $195,000 with a 6.7% growth in the last 12 months. Compared to the U.S. average, the cost of living in Texas is 6.1% lower.

Among the population, 33% are renters. The average rent is $738 for a studio, $841 for a one-bedroom, $1036 for a two-bedroom, $1291 for a three-bedroom, and $1721 for a four-bedroom. Houston, Arlington, Austin, and San Antonio are the top cities to invest in Texas.

Other Considerations When Investing in Real Estate

Property Taxes

Investors should also consider the property tax rate of states when buying real estate. Alabama has the second-lowest property tax rate in the country. The effective property tax rate is 0.37% so property owners pay about $543 in taxes each year.

Idaho is also notable with an effective property tax rate of 0.72%, which means property owners pay about $1,246 in annual taxes. It’s worth noting that Texas has one of the highest property tax rates in the country at 1.62%. Property owners will pay about $2,578 in taxes each year.

Migration

Investors may also want to purchase real estate in states where there is high migration. Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Idaho have seen a high influx of people in the last year. Thus, there are greater housing demands in these states.

Valuation

Some investors may also want to consider the price-to-income ratio when deciding to purchase real estate in a particular state. Based on valuation, Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, and Idaho are some of the best states to invest in real estate.

Money Magnets

It’s also worth investing in states that are money magnets since this helps drive up home prices. Some of the best money-magnet states are Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Choose with Confidence

Jumping into real estate investment can be scary. Since you’re investing your money, you want to make sure that you are making the right choices. Given the unpredictability of the economy, it’s wise to invest in states that have the best real estate markets in the country. For a good return on investment, confidently consider the 10 best states to invest in real estate mentioned.

Once you’ve found the perfect property, feel free to browse our online directory of property management companies to help you manage your real estate investment.

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10 Best States To Invest In Real State In The U.S. | Rental Choice (2024)

FAQs

10 Best States To Invest In Real State In The U.S. | Rental Choice? ›

Investors probably need no explanation why and convincing that Florida tops the list of the best states for the long term rental investment strategy. Our nationwide rental market analysis shows that, on average, you can expect the highest rate of return in the Sunshine State.

Which state is best for real estate investment? ›

Investors probably need no explanation why and convincing that Florida tops the list of the best states for the long term rental investment strategy. Our nationwide rental market analysis shows that, on average, you can expect the highest rate of return in the Sunshine State.

What state has the highest ROI for houses? ›

What state has the highest ROI on real estate? The state with the highest one-year ROI on residential single-family homes is Arizona with 27.42 percent, according to iPropertyManagement data. The next two highest states are Utah with 27.05 percent and Idaho with 27.02 percent.

What states are best for landlords? ›

Top 12 Landlord-Friendly States in the U.S. in 2023
  1. Texas. With high demand for rental properties, cities that are drawing in younger populations, and favorable rental property laws, Texas is considered among the best states for real estate investing. ...
  2. Alabama. ...
  3. Indiana. ...
  4. Colorado. ...
  5. Florida. ...
  6. Arizona. ...
  7. North Carolina. ...
  8. Illinois.
Feb 3, 2023

Is Alabama a good state to invest in real estate? ›

According to IBIS World, Alabama's GDP reached $206.9b in 2022. Alabama's economy is strong, with a low unemployment rate and a diverse range of industries. This can make it a good place to invest if you're looking for a property that will hold its value over the long term.

Where is the hottest real estate market in the US? ›

The personal finance website ranked the top most attractive and active housing markets and found that Gainesville, Georgia, was No. 1.

What area of real estate is most profitable? ›

Commercial real estate is known to yield higher returns than residential real estate. If you can afford to manage a commercial space, it can prove lucrative over time, depending on your area.

What state has the best housing market 2023? ›

Texas replaced California in 2023 as the strongest housing market by state. With an existing home inventory of 83,222, the available houses for sale have more than doubled since last year. It has seen a drop of about 6% in new construction and is now at 248,648 since 2022.

What state has cheapest property tax? ›

All of the data below comes from the Census Bureau's 2021 1-year American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates. Hawaii has the lowest property tax rate in the U.S. at 0.27%. The Aloha state has a home median value of $722,500.

Where is real estate growing the fastest? ›

U.S. metros with the biggest increases in home values in 2022
Metro areaGrowth
1.FarmingtonNew Mexico20.3%
2.North Port-Sarasota-BradentonFlorida19.5%
3.Naples-Immokalee-Marco IslandFlorida17.2%
4.Greensboro-High PointNorth Carolina17%
11 more rows
Feb 13, 2023

What state has the highest rent burden? ›

California has more rent-burdened tenants than anywhere in the United States, according to a new report by the O.C. Register. It's more proof that California desperately needs to end statewide rent control restrictions – and allow localities to create new or expanded rent control policies.

What is the easiest state to evict someone in? ›

Louisiana. Louisiana's effective property tax rate is just 0.54%, the third lowest in the US. It is also one of the states that have laws that preempt rent control. Louisiana has one of the fastest eviction processes in the country.

Why is Florida a landlord-friendly state? ›

Despite not having an extremely low rate, Florida is still a landlord-friendly state due to its favorable security deposit and eviction laws. There are no state-wide rent control ordinances in Florida. Like in all other states, landlords in Florida cannot increase rent if a tenant is on a standard fixed-term lease.

What state makes more money in real estate? ›

The following are the 10 states where real estate agents earn, on average, the most money: New York: $111,800 (average real estate agent salary) Massachusetts: $84,180. Connecticut: $79,780.

Why are homes in Alabama so cheap? ›

Due to its moderate climate and location in the country, housing, food, and most of the living expenses are some of the lowest in the United States. This southern state is one of the country's most affordable places to live.

Is Florida a good state to invest in property? ›

Affordable Living

For buyers and real estate investors alike, Florida is a great place to purchase property, as it boasts some of the lowest housing costs in the country.

Who has the best housing market right now? ›

Best Real Estate Markets In The U.S.
  1. Austin, Texas (Metro Area) Median listing price: $620,000. ...
  2. Tampa, Florida. Median listing price: $388,800. ...
  3. Raleigh, North Carolina. Median listing price: $389,000. ...
  4. Nashville, Tennessee (Metro Area) ...
  5. Charlotte, North Carolina. ...
  6. San Antonio, Texas. ...
  7. Phoenix, Arizona. ...
  8. Jacksonville, Florida.
May 1, 2023

Where real estate prices are cooling the fastest in the US? ›

Home prices in some US cities are finally cooling, with Seattle's housing market slowing faster than any other in the country. The 10 fastest-cooling markets are almost entirely in the West, with Seattle, Las Vegas, and the three California cities of San Jose, San Diego and Sacramento leading the way.

Where in the US is the most affordable housing? ›

Here's a look at the most affordable major cities in the country for housing.
  • Memphis, Tennessee. Median monthly housing cost: $967.
  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Median monthly housing cost: $965. ...
  • Tucson, Arizona.
  • Indianapolis, Indiana.
  • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  • Louisville, Kentucky.
  • Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  • Kansas City, Missouri.
Jan 12, 2023

Why are most millionaires in real estate? ›

Because of the many tax benefits, real estate investors often end up paying less taxes overall even as they are bringing in more income. This is why many millionaires invest in real estate. Not only does it make you money, but it allows you to keep a lot more of the money you make.

Do most millionaires invest in real estate? ›

Some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world have built their wealth through real estate. In fact, it's estimated that 90% of all millionaires invest in some form of real estate. There are several reasons for this, but in today's article, we'll share seven reasons why millionaires invest in real estate.

Is real estate the fastest way to get rich? ›

There is no quick way to make money or get rich in real estate, but you can grow wealth gradually and consistently by investing correctly. You are probably aware that there are numerous ways to accumulate wealth, but real estate is one of the most effective.

What are the hottest real estate markets right now? ›

The hottest housing markets include those markets in North Carolina, Colorado and Texas that were also popular during the pandemic, including Raleigh and Durham, Denver and Austin. Markets to watch that improved the most between November and December 2022 include Portland, Oregon, Richmond, Virginia, and St.

What state has the cheapest houses 2023? ›

Mississippi

Mississippi, “The Magnolia State,” is the birthplace of Elvis Presley and the delta blues. It's also the cheapest state to buy a house in 2023. As of 2020, the total state population was 2,961,279, making it the 32nd most populated state. The most populated city is Jackson, with 153,701 residents.

What is the best state to live in and buy a house? ›

That all depends on the factors that are most important to you. One study that factored in things like price per square foot, foreclosures, crime rates, and taxes found that Wyoming was the best state to buy a house in. Idaho, Indiana, Utah, and New Hampshire filled out the top five in those rankings.

Which state has no property tax in USA? ›

Unfortunately, there are no states without a property tax. Property taxes remain a significant contributor to overall state income. Tax funds are used to operate and maintain essential government services like law enforcement, infrastructure, education, transportation, parks, water and sewer service improvements.

What state has no income tax and lowest property tax? ›

Which Are the Tax-Free States? As of 2022, Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming are the only states that do not levy a state income tax. Note that Washington does levy a state capital gains tax on certain high earners.

Which state has no income tax? ›

As of 2023, eight states — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming — do not levy a state income tax.

What is the fastest growing city in the US? ›

The Villages, FL metro area was the fastest-growing U.S. metro area between 2021 and 2022, increasing by 7.5%.

What is the slowest month in real estate? ›

Typically, winter time is the slowest of the year to sell a property, specifically November, December, and January. However, there are some exceptions because there are several conditions that affect the housing market.

Where is the housing market falling the fastest? ›

1. Nevada
  • Typical home price in November 2022: $438,170.
  • Decline in value between June and November 2022: -4.8%
  • Difference between the average Nevada home and national average: +22%
  • Difference in insurance costs between 2021 and 2022: +24%
Mar 15, 2023

What state has the lowest price for rent? ›

The most affordable states in the U.S. are Oklahoma, where the average rent goes for $957/month, Arkansas, where renters pay $987/mo on average, and North Dakota, where the average rent goes for $1,011/mo.

What state has the highest eviction? ›

More than 900,000 renter households were evicted from their homes each year. South Carolina experienced the highest eviction rate of any state (6.2 percent) with an average of 26,430 evictions per year. Other states with high eviction rates include Arizona, Virginia, and Delaware.

What is the highest rent city in the USA? ›

The most expensive rental market in the US remains to be New York. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom is roughly $3,260. This is about a $500 decrease from 2021, however as demand continues to increase prices are likely to follow.

What state has the least evictions? ›

The states with the lowest eviction rates were New Mexico, Virginia and Hawaii, according to the study. For its analysis of laws benefiting renters, ConsumerAffairs used 2018 research from Rentcafe that looked at 10 common aspects of the landlord-tenant relationship by state and the laws that defined it.

What is the shortest eviction notice? ›

A Three-Day Notice is the most common and quickest way to initiate the eviction process if the tenant is deliquent in paying the rent. The majority of Evictions, called Unlawful Detainer cases are for nonpayment of rent.

What is the fastest you can evict a tenant? ›

If you are evicting a tenant from a month-to-month lease, you need to give them a 30-day notice to move out. If the tenant has lived in the unit for more than one year, the notice must be extended to 60 days. In government-subsidized housing, the notice must be 90 days.

What a landlord Cannot do in Florida? ›

Florida law prohibits landlords from evicting tenants without going through the court system (self-help evictions). Your landlord can't evict you without a judge's order. And if the sheriff shows up to evict you, he also must have a court order. The only exception to this is if you have legally abandoned your place.

What is the best state to be a tenant? ›

Vermont is the most renter-friendly state, according to this ranking, while Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Arizona, D.C., Maine, and Alaska appeared near the end of the renter-friendly end of the spectrum.

Why is there no rent control in Florida? ›

However, Florida's laissez-faire mentality and business-friendly atmosphere are part of what attracts many individuals to live there. Therefore, in general, the state steers clear of laws that would restrict normal market movements, such as rent control.

What do the top 10% real estate agents make? ›

In 2020, the median pay for real estate agents in the U.S. was roughly $49,000. The lowest 10% of earners made less than $25,000, while the highest 10% of earners made more than $112,000.

Is Mississippi a good place to invest in real estate? ›

Mississippi is a good place to invest in real estate, especially in bigger cities like Jackson and Gulfport, where people are always looking for housing. However, to maximize your investment, you first need to learn what types of properties are profitable and which neighborhoods to buy in.

Should I move to Georgia or Alabama? ›

Choosing between Alabama and Georgia

Alabama will be less dense, with more small cities and a lower cost of living. Thanks to bustling Atlanta, Georgia has the largest urban center, but away from the core are also affordable places to live. Really, you can't go wrong with either.

Is it cheaper to live in AL or FL? ›

Cost of living

It's no surprise that living in Alabama costs less than living in Florida, considering the population of Alabama is almost four times less than that of its neighboring state. Prices are naturally cheaper here because there's less demand for goods and services.

Is it cheaper to live in Tennessee or Alabama? ›

The data found Alabama's Average Cost of Living Index, 88.1, was the fourth lowest of any state. With an Average Cost of Living Index of 90.2, Tennessee landed at #10 on the list. You can jump straight to Tennessee's ranking here to read more about the Volunteer State.

What is the best real estate to invest in? ›

One reason commercial properties are considered one of the best types of real estate investments is the potential for higher cash flow. Investors who opt for commercial properties may find they represent higher income potential, longer leases, and lower vacancy rates than other forms of real estate.

What is the 2% rule in real estate? ›

2% Rule. The 2% rule is the same as the 1% rule – it just uses a different number. The 2% rule states that the monthly rent for an investment property should be equal to or no less than 2% of the purchase price. Here's an example of the 2% rule for a home with the purchase price of $150,000: $150,000 x 0.02 = $3,000.

What state is the toughest to get a real estate license? ›

Texas is largely considered the most difficult state to obtain your real estate license. Many factors go into this, primarily the sheer size of the state. Texas is also the prime destination for immigration internationally and domestically alike.

Which city has the highest rental yield? ›

City-Wise Rental Income Trends
CitiesRental Yield (in %) in 2019Rental Yield (in %) in 2021
Bangalore3.63.5
Mumbai3.53.5
Navi Mumbai2.82.7
Thane2.72.6
5 more rows
Feb 17, 2023

What is the 80% rule in real estate? ›

The 80% rule means that an insurer will only fully cover the cost of damage to a house if the owner has purchased insurance coverage equal to at least 80% of the house's total replacement value.

What is the 50% rule in real estate? ›

Like many rules of real estate investing, the 50 percent rule isn't always accurate, but it can be a helpful way to estimate expenses for rental property. To use it, an investor takes the property's gross rent and multiplies it by 50 percent, providing the estimated monthly operating expenses. That sounds easy, right?

What is the 70 rule in real estate? ›

Basically, the rule says real estate investors should pay no more than 70% of a property's after-repair value (ARV) minus the cost of the repairs necessary to renovate the home. The ARV of a property is the amount a home could sell for after flippers renovate it.

What state has the easiest real estate test? ›

According to our analysis, Massachusetts is the best state for Real Estate examinations in the US. There, most candidates have it relatively simple. This is true since the state only needs 40 hours of pre-licensing training. Before sitting for the test, you must first complete a state-approved real estate school.

What states is Florida real estate license good in? ›

Florida has mutual recognition with 10 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, Rhode Island and West Virginia.

Is Florida real estate license easy? ›

How Hard is the Florida Real Estate Exam? Generally speaking, the pass rate for the Florida real estate exam is between 50-60%. By comparison, the average driving test pass rate is 45.8% in the US. So while the test may be difficult and meticulous, you will be able to pass it if you prepare and study accordingly.

How do you know if a rental property is a good investment? ›

Top 10 Features to Consider
  1. Neighborhood. The neighborhood in which you buy will determine the types of tenants you attract and your vacancy rate. ...
  2. Property Taxes. ...
  3. Schools. ...
  4. Crime. ...
  5. Job Market. ...
  6. Amenities. ...
  7. Number of Listings and Vacancies. ...
  8. Average Rents.

Where is rent growing the fastest? ›

Cities With The fastest Growing 3-Bedroom Home Rent Prices in 2023
  • Santa Barbara, California. ...
  • Rochester, New York. ...
  • Anderson, Indiana. ...
  • Rochester, Minnesota. January 2023: $2,050. ...
  • Kalamazoo, Michigan. January 2023: $1,673. ...
  • Monroe, Louisiana. January 2023: $1,400. ...
  • Greenville, North Carolina. January: $1,500. ...
  • Lawton, Oklahoma.
Feb 17, 2023

Which property gives highest rent? ›

Top 10 Localities that Generate Maximum Rental in India
  1. Malabar Hill (Mumbai) Malabar Hill located in Mumbai is home to billionaires. ...
  2. Juhu (Mumbai) ...
  3. Tardeo (Mumbai) ...
  4. Green Park (New Delhi) ...
  5. Greater Kailash (New Delhi) ...
  6. Cuffe Parade (Mumbai) ...
  7. Golf Links (New Delhi) ...
  8. Jor Bagh (New Delhi)
Mar 10, 2022

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