Top 10 U.S. Cities with the Highest Rental Yield (2024)

Cities across the U.S. have seen some of the highest rental yields to date. From 2020 to 2021, home sales prices rose approximately 20%. That’s great news for real estate investors that held property pre-pandemic, but with low inventory and rising rates forcing the owner-occupied borrowers out of the market, opportunities for high-yield U.S. investment properties are abundant. Here are the top 10 U.S. cities with the highest rental prices and most affordable properties.

1. Houston, Texas

The lack of affordable single-family homes has created a demand for rental properties in Houston. Its strong job market makes it a solid play for investors of these types of properties.

Average Purchase Price: $496,930

Average price/sqft: $155

Average Rental Income: $3,455

2. Arlington, Texas

Arlington, a city in north Texas, is ranked 12 on the list of the top places in Texas to purchase a home, according to Policygenius. At $275,745, the average house value is 6% more than the national average, and its five-year growth rate is 63.6%.

Average Purchase Price: $493,700

Average price/sqft: $174

Average Rental Income: $3,035

3. Tampa, Florida

Investors were responsible for purchasing 25% of homes sold in Tampa in the summer of 2021. Average rents have had the highest spike in the country, and impressive job growth in white-color professions shows no signs of slowing.

Average Purchase Price: $508,725

Average price/sqft: $252.65

Average Rental Income: $3,004

4. San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio could be an excellent investment. The city boasts affordable property prices and excellent average rental yields per month. In 2020, approximately 40% of individuals looking to rent were out-of-city transplants, which has mostly stayed the same.

Average Purchase Price: $514,975

Average price/sqft: $170.53

Average Rental Income: $2,951

5. Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina’s robust employment market, four-season climate, and proximity to the beach and mountains make it a top destination for real estate investors looking to earn rental income.

Average Purchase Price: $498,750

Average price/sqft: $173

Average Rental Income: $2,796

6.Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado Springs is known to be one of the most substantial long-term real estate investments in the U.S. Since the last decade, Colorado Springs’ typical property prices have increased by around 143.7% based on Zillow’s Home Value Index.

Average Purchase Price: $487,475

Average price/sqft: $198

Average Rental Income: $2,770

7.Orlando, Florida

Home to Disney World, Universal, and a fantastic climate, 60 million people visit Orland every year. Some of the best beaches are a drive away, and the city is famous for its gold courses, nightlife, and shopping malls.

Average Purchase Price: $482,085

Average price/sqft: $235

Average Rental Income: $2,739

8.Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati has long been regarded as an affordable city in general. In fact, Cincinnati was ranked as the 14th most affordable U.S. city to live in by U.S. News & World Reports in 2017. In addition to the generally low cost of living, Cincinnati real estate is more affordable than in many other major metropolitan areas. Cincinnati has become one of the go-to markets for out-of-state real estate investors looking to buy properties at a good price and still earn a reasonable rate of return, and prices have increased as a result.

Average Purchase Price: $474,750

Average price/sqft: $171

Average Rental Income: $2,734

9. Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville benefited from Florida’s decision to loosen pandemic restrictions more quickly than other states. The city has one of the highest-performing economies in the country and a dwindling unemployment rate.

Average Purchase Price: $501,850

Average price/sqft: $187

Average Rental Income: $2,564

10.Huntsville, Alabama

Listed as one of the top cities to purchase a rental property for cash flow in 2022, Huntsville is known for its rent growth value. Strong employment growth and low housing costs have led to equity growth of about 24%, 22% more than the national average.

Average Purchase Price: $487,250

Average price/sqft: $171

Average Rental Income: $2,436

If we assume the purchase price of each city’s house to be $500,000, here’s the rank based on the highest rental income:

Top 10 U.S. Cities with the Highest Rental Yield (1)

With creative loan options offering fixed terms for interest-only loans, buying down of interest rates, and long-term capital appreciation, investing in U.S. cities with the highest rental income gives you significant short-term and long-term possibilities.

Ready to reap the benefits of investing in the U.S.?

As a company, America Mortgages’ only focus is providing U.S. mortgage financing for U.S. expats and foreign nationals. We know exactly what is required to ensure that your mortgage journey is stress-free. We qualify 97% of our client’s for a U.S. mortgage. What are you waiting for? Schedule a call with our U.S. mortgage specialist to find out your mortgage options.hello@americamortgages.com

www.americamortgages.com

Top 10 U.S. Cities with the Highest Rental Yield (2024)

FAQs

Top 10 U.S. Cities with the Highest Rental Yield? ›

Some of the best property investments in the US include cities like Austin, TX; Portland, OR; San Antonio, TX; and Washington, DC. Each of these locations offers favorable conditions for real estate investors.

Which city has the highest rental yield? ›

City-Wise Rental Income Trends
CitiesRental Yield (in %) in 2019Rental Yield (in %) in 2022
Bangalore3.63.9
Mumbai3.53.8
Navi Mumbai2.83.2
Thane2.72.9
5 more rows
Feb 17, 2023

Where is the best place to buy a rental property in the US? ›

Some of the best property investments in the US include cities like Austin, TX; Portland, OR; San Antonio, TX; and Washington, DC. Each of these locations offers favorable conditions for real estate investors.

Where is ROI highest in US? ›

1. Wyoming: 203% 5-year ROI on College. Wyoming has some of the highest wages for high school graduates: $31,936 a year, on average. This results in a 43 percent increase in pay for earning a bachelor's degree.

What rental properties are most profitable? ›

What Types of Commercial Properties Are the Most Profitable? High-Tenant Properties – Typically, properties with a high number of tenants will give the best return on investment. These properties include RVs, self-storage, apartment complexes, and office spaces.

Which states are most favorable to 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

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

Who owns most rental properties in the US? ›

Of the approximately 50 million rental housing units in the United States, around 41% of the rental units are owned by mom and pop landlords, also known as individual investor landlords.

Which USA city has the cheapest rent? ›

The best cities for affordable rent, summed up
RankCityCost of living (U.S. average=100)
1Little Rock, AR87.70
2Tulsa, OK88.60
3Omaha, NE91.70
4Des Moines, IA92.30
21 more rows
Dec 30, 2022

What state has the highest average rental rates? ›

Hawaii has the highest average rent in the United States at $2,399 a month. The asking rent for a typical unit in Hawaii is even higher, with vacant units asking $2,850 for new renters. Average rents in Honolulu cost an average of $2,528.

What is a good rental yield USA? ›

In terms of what constitutes a 'good' gross yield in real estate, anything between 7-8% is considered ideal. A gross yield of 8% means that 8% of the cost of the property will be recouped in rent every year (before expenses).

What pays the highest rate of return? ›

  1. High-yield savings accounts. Online savings accounts and cash management accounts provide higher rates of return than you'll get in a traditional bank savings or checking account. ...
  2. Certificates of deposit. ...
  3. Money market funds. ...
  4. Government bonds. ...
  5. Corporate bonds. ...
  6. Mutual funds. ...
  7. Index funds. ...
  8. Exchange-traded funds.
May 4, 2023

What asset has the highest ROI? ›

Stocks are an asset class that tends to have the highest return of any type of investment, but they also tend to have higher-than-average volatility.

How many rental properties will make you a millionaire? ›

To become a real estate millionaire, you may have to own at least ten properties. If this is your goal, you need to accumulate rental properties with a total value of at least a million.

How to become a millionaire with rental property? ›

Here are some tips on how you can become a millionaire real estate investor.
  1. #1: Learn About Real Estate Investing. ...
  2. #2: Set Clear Goals and Have a Plan. ...
  3. #3: Stop Waiting to Get Started. ...
  4. #4: Make Offers with Terms You Can Afford. ...
  5. #5: Generate Cash Flow. ...
  6. #6: Grow Your Portfolio. ...
  7. #7: Work Up to Larger Properties. ...
  8. #8: Keep Growing.
Jan 24, 2022

What is a good monthly profit from a rental property? ›

The amount will depend on your specific situation, but a good rule of thumb is to aim for at least 10% profit after all expenses and taxes. While 10% is a good target, you may be able to make more depending on the property and the rental market.

Where are the most renters in the US? ›

The study analyzed the U.S. Census Bureau housing data of more than 300 cities with a population of 100,000 or more and conducted a survey of over 1,000 people from around the country in November. Newark, New Jersey, has the most, with more than 79% of residents renting.

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.

Which month has the most rentals? ›

The busiest rental and moving period tends to be between the months of May and September. 1 The reason for this is fairly straightforward: A number of life changes tend to occur in these months. Many high school graduates are leaving home for college or jobs.

What age rents the most? ›

In 2020, only ten percent of renters in the United States were 65 years or older, whereas 47 percent were under 30 years old.

Who is most likely to rent? ›

Renter Demographics. In the under-35 age group, 65% of American households are rented. Meanwhile, in the 65+ age group (senior citizens), 79.3% own a home. The median age of homebuyers is 47 years old, while the median age of renters is 38 years old.

Who is the largest landlord in US? ›

The 2022 Land Report 100, compiled each year by The Land Report magazine, released its annual list of landowners who own the most acres in the United States. The nation's largest private landowners are the Emmerson family in California who own over 2.4 million acres.

Who is the largest apartment owner in the United States? ›

Starwood Capital Group claimed the top spot on the 2022 NMHC Top 50 owners list, after gaining more than 25,000 units last year. MAA, the Memphis-based REIT, came in No. 2 for the first time since 2017, followed by Morgan Properties, based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

Who is the worlds largest residential landlord? ›

The world's largest private landlord, Blackstone, holds more than $300 billion in real estate assets under management (AUM). In one deal this past June, Blackstone bought 17,000 single-family homes across the US to extract rental income from tenants.

Where can you live in the US for $1000 a month? ›

  • New Bern, N.C. Median rent price: $1,000. ...
  • Rock Hill, S.C. Median rent price: $1,000. ...
  • Tallahassee, Fla. Median rent price: $990. ...
  • Beaumont, Texas. Median rent price: $997.50. ...
  • Winston-Salem, N.C. Median rent price: $945. ...
  • Shreveport, La. Median rent price: $950. ...
  • Las Cruces, N.M. Median rent price: $945. ...
  • Champaign, Ill.
Jul 22, 2016

Where can I live for $500 a month in the US? ›

Without further ado – and in no particular order – here's what $500 per month can get you in ten affordable U.S. cities:
  • Greenville, OH. Listing: Wayne Crossing. ...
  • Wichita, KS. Listing: Eagle Creek. ...
  • Lawton, OK. Listing: Sheridan Square Apartments. ...
  • Amarillo, TX. ...
  • Indianapolis, IN. ...
  • Searcy, AR. ...
  • Shreveport, LA. ...
  • Jackson, MS.
Oct 9, 2020

Where is the cheapest state to live? ›

Take a look at the 10 cheapest states to live in for 2022.
  1. Mississippi. Coming in as the cheapest state to live in in the United States is Mississippi with a cost of living index score of 83.3. ...
  2. Kansas. ...
  3. Alabama. ...
  4. Oklahoma. ...
  5. Georgia. ...
  6. Tennessee. ...
  7. Missouri. ...
  8. Iowa.
Mar 31, 2023

What is the best state to be a tenant? ›

Full rankings
Median monthly rentMedian annual income
1. North Dakota$853$66,519
2. South Dakota$809$66,143
3. Iowa$845$65,600
4. Kansas$912$64,124
5 more rows

What state has the highest rent 2023? ›

Introduction
#StateMedian Rent Price
1Hawaii$1,651
2District of Columbia$1,607
3California$1,586
4Maryland$1,415
47 more rows

Is 7% ROI on rental property good? ›

A good ROI for a rental property is typically more than 10%, but 5%–10% can also be acceptable. But the ROI may be lower in the first year, due to the upfront costs of buying a home. A fixer-upper may offer more upfront savings as their average list price is 25% lower than turnkey homes.

What's a good return on rental property? ›

Generally, a good ROI for rental property is considered to be around 8 to 12% or higher. However, many investors aim for even higher returns. It's important to remember that ROI isn't the only factor to consider while evaluating the profitability of a rental property investment.

What is the US rental growth rate? ›

Typical asking rents in the U.S. are now $2,018, a 5.3% increase compared with the same time last year. Rent growth, overall, has been slowing since its 16.9% year-over-year peak growth in February 2022. The current year-over-year rate is 0.5% higher than the peak typical rent of $2,008 in September 2022.

What is the #1 safest investment? ›

What are the safest types of investments? U.S. Treasury securities, money market mutual funds and high-yield savings accounts are considered by most experts to be the safest types of investments available.

What is the safest investment with highest return? ›

High-quality bonds and fixed-indexed annuities are often considered the safest investments with the highest returns. However, there are many different types of bond funds and annuities, each with risks and rewards. For example, government bonds are generally more stable than corporate bonds based on past performance.

What has the highest ROI return on investment? ›

Key Takeaways
  • The U.S. stock market is considered to offer the highest investment returns over time.
  • Higher returns, however, come with higher risk.
  • Stock prices typically are more volatile than bond prices.
  • Stock prices over shorter time periods are more volatile than stock prices over longer time periods.

How can I get 10% interest? ›

How Do I Earn a 10% Rate of Return on Investment?
  1. Invest in Stocks for the Long-Term. ...
  2. Invest in Stocks for the Short-Term. ...
  3. Real Estate. ...
  4. Investing in Fine Art. ...
  5. Starting Your Own Business (Or Investing in Small Ones) ...
  6. Investing in Wine. ...
  7. Peer-to-Peer Lending. ...
  8. Invest in REITs.

How do you get 10% return on investment? ›

Here's my list of the 10 best investments for a 10% ROI.
  1. How to Get 10% Return on Investment: 10 Proven Ways.
  2. High-End Art (on Masterworks)
  3. Paying Down High-Interest Loans.
  4. U.S. Government I-Bonds.
  5. Stock Market Investing via Index Funds.
  6. Stock Picking.
  7. Junk Bonds.
  8. Buy an Existing Business.
May 1, 2023

Is 10% return on investment realistic? ›

Most investors would view an average annual rate of return of 10% or more as a good ROI for long-term investments in the stock market. However, keep in mind that this is an average. Some years will deliver lower returns -- perhaps even negative returns. Other years will generate significantly higher returns.

Can you live off of rental income? ›

Effectively managing and maximizing cash flow for your investment properties will allow you to live off the rental property income. Several factors can impact your ability to maintain a positive cash flow. You'll need to show your rental property in the best light possible to attract high-quality residents.

What is the 1% rule in rental investment? ›

What Is The 1% Rule In Real Estate? The 1% rule of real estate investing measures the price of the investment property against the gross income it will generate. For a potential investment to pass the 1% rule, its monthly rent must be equal to or no less than 1% of the purchase price.

How to get rich off of rental properties? ›

Here are six tips on how to make money renting out houses.
  1. Purchase an Investment Property. ...
  2. Determine Your Operating Expenses. ...
  3. Set a Competitive Rent Price and Rental Fees. ...
  4. Invest in Landlord Software. ...
  5. Find Reliable Tenants. ...
  6. Reduce Tenant Turnover.
Dec 6, 2022

Do millionaires rent their homes? ›

The number of millionaire renters has tripled in the past five years. More and more millionaires are stepping on the everyman's corner and renting apartments rather than putting down roots and money to become homeowners.

How long does it take to become a millionaire in real estate? ›

It is possible to build a net worth of one million dollars in a couple of years with real estate. It also may take five years, ten years, or even fifteen years. Only five percent of households are millionaires so even if it takes a while you will be ahead of the pack.

How do the rich buy their homes? ›

Wealthy people can opt to get affordable loans at a low rate, take a tax deduction that helps subsidize their interest, pay back their loans with "cheaper" money due to inflation, and use the cash they might otherwise have put down on a house to make an investment that stands a good chance of earning a higher return.

What is the average cash flow on a rental property? ›

The Bottom Line

Keep in mind, when it comes to real estate cash flow, calculating your expenses and rental property income will be your number one key to success. Anything around 7% or 8% is the average ROI. However, if you'd really like to succeed, you should always aim higher at around 15%.

What is 1 rule in real estate? ›

How the One Percent Rule Works. This simple calculation multiplies the purchase price of the property plus any necessary repairs by 1%. The result is a base level of monthly rent. It's also compared to the potential monthly mortgage payment to give the owner a better understanding of the property's monthly cash flow.

Which city has the best ROI? ›

RankCityReturn on Investment (%)
1Saint Petersburg31.1
2Hokkaido24.8
3Budapest23.8
4phu*ket22.3
46 more rows
Feb 21, 2020

What cities have the highest rent increases? ›

  1. Greensboro, N.C. One bedroom: +74.2% Two bedroom: +43.1% ...
  2. Newport News, Va. One bedroom: +60.7% Two bedroom: 38.56% ...
  3. Seattle. One bedroom: 32.15% ...
  4. Tulsa, Okla. One bedroom: +59.8% ...
  5. Durham, N.C. One bedroom: 33.25% ...
  6. Long Beach, Calif. One bedroom: +48.5% ...
  7. Tucson. One bedroom: 2.70% ...
  8. Raleigh, N.C. One bedroom: +42.1%
Sep 3, 2022

Which state has the most investment? ›

The combined tally of investment of three years makes Maharashtra the most attractive investment destination, states the survey. The investment is more than Karnataka ( ₹2,93,149 crore, 331 projects) and Gujarat ( ₹ 2,36,866 crore, 602 projects), states the survey.

Which major has the highest ROI? ›

Engineering tops both the CEW and Payscale lists for best return on investment. Engineering degree holders have median monthly earnings of $6,000, or $72,200 per year, after debt payments – which average $240 per month – have been paid off, according to CEW data.

Is ROI highest in Tennessee? ›

Tennessee ranked 10th in the U.S. in taxpayer ROI, with a ranking of fourth in Total Taxes Paid per Capita and 42nd in Overall Government Services.

Which US city saw the biggest rent increase compared to a year ago? ›

The South and Northeast have seen the largest rent increases. Miami, where rents were up 26.2% from a year ago, saw the biggest increase among the 50 largest US cities for the 10th-straight month. Miami was followed by New York, Boston, Chicago, and Orlando.

What place has the most renters? ›

The study analyzed the U.S. Census Bureau housing data of more than 300 cities with a population of 100,000 or more and conducted a survey of over 1,000 people from around the country in November. Newark, New Jersey, has the most, with more than 79% of residents renting.

What is the average rent in the US 2023? ›

The average monthly rent for all apartment types in the United States rose substantially in 2021. As of February 2023, the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the United States reached 1,320 U.S. dollars, up from 1,282 U.S. dollars a year before.

What is average rental yield in USA? ›

What is the average rate of return in real estate in the USA? S&P 500 Index data indicate that residential real estate in the United States generates an average annual return of 10.6 percent.

What state in the US has the cheapest rent? ›

Mississippi

Coming in as the cheapest state to live in in the United States is Mississippi with a cost of living index score of 83.3. It also has the lowest average housing costs in the nation at 33.7% below the national average. The median single family home costs around $140,818.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jerrold Considine

Last Updated:

Views: 5694

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jerrold Considine

Birthday: 1993-11-03

Address: Suite 447 3463 Marybelle Circles, New Marlin, AL 20765

Phone: +5816749283868

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Air sports, Sand art, Electronics, LARPing, Baseball, Book restoration, Puzzles

Introduction: My name is Jerrold Considine, I am a combative, cheerful, encouraging, happy, enthusiastic, funny, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.