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50 Best US Cities for First-Time Real Estate Investors

October 18, 2025

6 min Read

Written by Heather Taylor

Edited by Chris Cluff

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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.

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.

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

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

3. Cleveland

Average monthly rent: $1,200
Median sale price: $100,333
Gross rental yield: 14.4%
Market temp: Cool
Investment score: 35.66

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

5. Miami

Average monthly rent: $3,000
Median sale price: $508,167
Gross rental yield: 6.1%
Market temp: Warm
Investment score: 34.79

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

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

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

9. Detroit

Average monthly rent: $1,200
Median sale price: $83,400
Gross rental yield: 17.3%
Market temp: Cool
Investment score: 34.48

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

11. Indianapolis

Average monthly rent: $1,425
Median sale price: $227,333
Gross rental yield: 7.5%
Market temp: Warm
Investment score: 34.4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19. Philadelphia

Average monthly rent: $1,615
Median sale price: $230,583
Gross rental yield: 8.4%
Market temp: Warm
Investment score: 33.31

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

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

22. Chicago

Average monthly rent: $1,900
Median sale price: $337,667
Gross rental yield: 6.8%
Market temp: Warm
Investment score: 32.72

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

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

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

26. Toledo, Ohio

Average monthly rent: $895
Median sale price: $115,333
Gross rental yield: 9.3%
Market temp: Cool
Investment score: 32.24

27. Minneapolis

Average monthly rent: $1,550
Median sale price: $315,000
Gross rental yield: 5.9%
Market temp: Warm
Investment score: 32.23

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

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

30. Dallas

Average monthly rent: $2,020
Median sale price: $424,000
Gross rental yield: 5.7%
Market temp: Warm
Investment score: 31.65

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

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

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

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

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

36. Denver

Average monthly rent: $2,039
Median sale price: $556,833
Gross rental yield: 4.4%
Market temp: Warm
Investment score: 30.15

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

38. Portland, Oregon

Average monthly rent: $1,775
Median sale price: $526,300
Gross rental yield: 4%
Market temp: Warm
Investment score: 29.94

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

48. Phoenix

Average monthly rent: $1,939
Median sale price: $413,333
Gross rental yield: 5.1%
Market temp: Warm
Investment score: 29.63

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

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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