Best US Cities To Be a Landlord in Early 2025
Written by
Laura Beck
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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As we look ahead to the real estate landscape of early 2025, landlords and property investors are looking to identify the most promising markets. While our previous analysis of the best cities for landlords in 2024 provided valuable insights, the dynamic nature of real estate means new opportunities are always emerging.
Let’s explore what experts are predicting for the upcoming year and which cities are poised to offer the best returns for landlords.
Columbus, Ohio: The Rising Star
Thomas Brock, chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified public accountant (CPA) and expert for Annuity.org, has his eye on Columbus, Ohio. “Columbus is going to be one of the best U.S. cities to be a landlord in the very near-term,” he said. “Over the past decade, it has been one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S.” Brock pointed to several factors making Columbus attractive.
- Swelling population
- Reasonable cost of living
- Ongoing economic expansion
- Major investments from companies like Amazon and Intel
“The combination of Columbus’ strong economic growth and favorable demographics makes it a compelling option for real estate investors looking to generate a highly competitive return on investment in 2025 and beyond,” Brock said.
Phoenix: Sun-Soaked Opportunities
Sebastian Jania, owner of Ontario Property Buyers, sees Phoenix as a hot spot for landlords. “Phoenix also offers a robust employment market and a cheap cost of living, which draw more and more individuals to the region. For landlords, this means a constant flow of prospective tenants and a low vacancy rate,” he explained.
“Phoenix is undoubtedly a top option for landlords due to its rising economy and landlord-friendly legal structure,” Jania added.
Nashville, Tennessee: Music to Landlords’ Ears
Nashville is hitting all the right notes for landlords, according to Jania. “With a robust job market and a quickly expanding population, Nashville’s economy has been thriving,” he said. “There is a significant demand for rental apartments in the city due to the influx of young professionals and entrepreneurs.”
Charlotte, North Carolina: Southern Charm and Growth
Jania also highlighted Charlotte’s potential. “Charlotte’s somewhat low property taxes and landlord-friendly legislative structure make it a desirable location for landlords. In the early months of 2025, Charlotte is unquestionably a place to think about investing in due to its robust rental market and expanding economy,” he explained.
Denver: Mile-High Returns
Denver’s appeal goes beyond its scenic beauty. “Denver is a desirable option for landlords due to its strong rental income potential and landlord-friendly legal structure. Denver is an excellent location for a landlord to invest in because of its robust economy and high standard of living,” Jania said.
Salt Lake City: A Landlord’s Haven
Seamus Nally, CEO of TurboTenant, puts Salt Lake City in the spotlight. “Salt Lake City is a pretty great city to be a landlord,” he said.
“There are minimal rent control regulations and pretty relaxed landlord laws, plus homeowners insurance costs are well below the average,” Nally added. “A lot of Salt Lake City landlords actually benefit from the demand, as it frequently leads to bidding wars.”
While these cities show promise, it’s important to remember successful real estate investing requires more than just picking the right location. Derrick Barker, CEO of Nectar, is all about making sure you have good people around to help out. “Surrounding yourself with the right team — real estate agents, mortgage brokers, property managers and contractors — makes all the difference,” he said.
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