50 Best US Cities for First-Time Real Estate Investors

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October 18, 2025 at 7:18 AM
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Which cities are the best locations for investing in real estate? A recent analysis conducted by LLC Attorney revealed 50 American cities that are the best for investing your money.

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These 50 cities were determined using the Real Estate Investment Index and factoring in several key considerations, like average monthly rent, the median sale price, market temperature and relevant state-level laws such as rent control. Texas emerged with 12 cities on the list, the most out of any state, while Florida was the runner-up with seven cities.

See which 50 cities are considered the best for first-time real estate investors, as ranked from highest to lowest investment score.

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1. Port St. Lucie, Florida

  • Average monthly rent: $2,600

  • Median sale price: $376,567

  • Gross rental yield: 8.3%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 36.77

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2. Cape Coral, Florida

  • Average monthly rent: $2,290

  • Median sale price: $322,633

  • Gross rental yield: 8.5%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 36.76

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3. Cleveland

  • Average monthly rent: $1,200

  • Median sale price: $100,333

  • Gross rental yield: 14.4%

  • Market temp: Cool

  • Investment score: 35.66

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4. Garland, Texas

  • Average monthly rent: $2,000

  • Median sale price: $297,367

  • Gross rental yield: 8.1%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 34.85

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5. Miami

  • Average monthly rent: $3,000

  • Median sale price: $508,167

  • Gross rental yield: 6.1%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 34.79

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6. Jacksonville, Florida

  • Average monthly rent: $1,600

  • Median sale price: $270,167

  • Gross rental yield: 7.1%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 34.76

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7. St. Petersburg, Florida

  • Average monthly rent: $2,200

  • Median sale price: $377,167

  • Gross rental yield: 7%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 34.75

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8. Columbus, Ohio

  • Average monthly rent: $1,500

  • Median sale price: $238,167

  • Gross rental yield: 7.6%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 34.5

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9. Detroit

  • Average monthly rent: $1,200

  • Median sale price: $83,400

  • Gross rental yield: 17.3%

  • Market temp: Cool

  • Investment score: 34.48

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10. Fort Worth, Texas

  • Average monthly rent: $2,060

  • Median sale price: $317,333

  • Gross rental yield: 7.8%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 34.44

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11. Indianapolis

  • Average monthly rent: $1,425

  • Median sale price: $227,333

  • Gross rental yield: 7.5%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 34.4

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12. Memphis, Tennessee

  • Average monthly rent: $1,300

  • Median sale price: $140,533

  • Gross rental yield: 11.1%

  • Market temp: Cool

  • Investment score: 34.38

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13. Irving, Texas

  • Average monthly rent: $2,300

  • Median sale price: $366,783

  • Gross rental yield: 7.5%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 34.26

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14. Tampa, Florida

  • Average monthly rent: $2,075

  • Median sale price: $376,483

  • Gross rental yield: 6.6%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 34.14

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15. El Paso, Texas

  • Average monthly rent: $1,500

  • Median sale price: $242,129

  • Gross rental yield: 7.4%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 34.14

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16. Corpus Christi, Texas

  • Average monthly rent: $1,557

  • Median sale price: $254,967

  • Gross rental yield: 7.3%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 33.9

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17. Orlando, Florida

  • Average monthly rent: $2,000

  • Median sale price: $374,267

  • Gross rental yield: 6.4%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 33.82

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18. San Antonio

  • Average monthly rent: $1,666

  • Median sale price: $279,458

  • Gross rental yield: 7.2%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 33.56

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19. Philadelphia

  • Average monthly rent: $1,615

  • Median sale price: $230,583

  • Gross rental yield: 8.4%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 33.31

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20. Frisco, Texas

  • Average monthly rent: $2,900

  • Median sale price: $613,083

  • Gross rental yield: 5.7%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 32.91

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21. Nashville, Tennessee

  • Average monthly rent: $2,195

  • Median sale price: $421,667

  • Gross rental yield: 6.2%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 32.87

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22. Chicago

  • Average monthly rent: $1,900

  • Median sale price: $337,667

  • Gross rental yield: 6.8%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 32.72

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23. Plano, Texas

  • Average monthly rent: $2,600

  • Median sale price: $528,500

  • Gross rental yield: 5.9%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 32.66

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24. St. Paul, Minnesota

  • Average monthly rent: $1,395

  • Median sale price: $279,241

  • Gross rental yield: 6%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 32.49

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25. North Las Vegas

  • Average monthly rent: $2,084

  • Median sale price: $404,667

  • Gross rental yield: 6.2%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 32.37

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26. Toledo, Ohio

  • Average monthly rent: $895

  • Median sale price: $115,333

  • Gross rental yield: 9.3%

  • Market temp: Cool

  • Investment score: 32.24

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27. Minneapolis

  • Average monthly rent: $1,550

  • Median sale price: $315,000

  • Gross rental yield: 5.9%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 32.23

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28. Henderson, Nevada

  • Average monthly rent: $2,231

  • Median sale price: $476,650

  • Gross rental yield: 5.6%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 31.81

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29. Las Vegas

  • Average monthly rent: $2,000

  • Median sale price: $414,667

  • Gross rental yield: 5.8%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 31.77

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30. Dallas

  • Average monthly rent: $2,020

  • Median sale price: $424,000

  • Gross rental yield: 5.7%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 31.65

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31. Aurora, Colorado

  • Average monthly rent: $2,050

  • Median sale price: $464,667

  • Gross rental yield: 5.3%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 31.36

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32. Oklahoma City

  • Average monthly rent: $1,350

  • Median sale price: $205,167

  • Gross rental yield: 7.9%

  • Market temp: Cool

  • Investment score: 31.13

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33. Tulsa, Oklahoma

  • Average monthly rent: $1,350

  • Median sale price: $206,667

  • Gross rental yield: 7.8%

  • Market temp: Cool

  • Investment score: 31.04

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34. Colorado Springs, Colorado

  • Average monthly rent: $1,850

  • Median sale price: $443,500

  • Gross rental yield: 5%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 30.77

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35. Boise, Idaho

  • Average monthly rent: $1,795

  • Median sale price: $489,150

  • Gross rental yield: 4.4%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 30.72

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36. Denver

  • Average monthly rent: $2,039

  • Median sale price: $556,833

  • Gross rental yield: 4.4%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 30.15

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37. Lubbock, Texas

  • Average monthly rent: $1,399

  • Median sale price: $212,083

  • Gross rental yield: 7.9%

  • Market temp: Cool

  • Investment score: 33.09

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38. Portland, Oregon

  • Average monthly rent: $1,775

  • Median sale price: $526,300

  • Gross rental yield: 4%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 29.94

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39. Irvine, California

  • Average monthly rent: $4,800

  • Median sale price: $1,477,833

  • Gross rental yield: 3.9%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 29.93

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40. Gilbert, Arizona

  • Average monthly rent: $2,495

  • Median sale price: $566,667

  • Gross rental yield: 5.3%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 29.91

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41. Tucson, Arizona

  • Average monthly rent: $1,600

  • Median sale price: $324,811

  • Gross rental yield: 5.9%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 29.91

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42. Virginia Beach, Virginia

  • Average monthly rent: $2,125

  • Median sale price: $366,833

  • Gross rental yield: 7%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 29.87

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43. Chandler, Arizona

  • Average monthly rent: $2,299

  • Median sale price: $505,000

  • Gross rental yield: 5.5%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 29.83

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44. Austin, Texas

  • Average monthly rent: $1,995

  • Median sale price: $553,333

  • Gross rental yield: 4.3%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 29.75

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45. New Orleans

  • Average monthly rent: $1,750

  • Median sale price: $294,167

  • Gross rental yield: 7.1%

  • Market temp: Cool

  • Investment score: 29.65

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46. Madison, Wisconsin

  • Average monthly rent: $1,650

  • Median sale price: $382,033

  • Gross rental yield: 5.2%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 29.65

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47. Arlington, Texas

  • Average monthly rent: $2,095

  • Median sale price: $317,119

  • Gross rental yield: 7.9%

  • Market temp: Cool

  • Investment score: 26.64

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48. Phoenix

  • Average monthly rent: $1,939

  • Median sale price: $413,333

  • Gross rental yield: 5.1%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 29.63

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49. Chesapeake, Virginia

  • Average monthly rent: $2,100

  • Median sale price: $372,688

  • Gross rental yield: 6.8%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 29.61

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50. Anchorage, Alaska

  • Average monthly rent: $1,800

  • Median sale price: $370,817

  • Gross rental yield: 5.8%

  • Market temp: Warm

  • Investment score: 29.49

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 50 Best US Cities for First-Time Real Estate Investors