{"id":185401,"date":"2025-10-29T12:46:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T18:46:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/?p=185401"},"modified":"2025-10-29T12:46:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T18:46:17","slug":"best-long-term-rental-markets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/best-long-term-rental-markets","title":{"rendered":"The Best Long-Term Rental Markets According to the Data (and Common Sense)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">We all love hearing about \u201chot\u201d markets, but by the time they\u2019re called hot, they\u2019re already cooling off.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As investors, we need to take the emotion out of buying decisions and follow the data. If you\u2019re reading this now, you might still be early enough to grab a deal before everyone else\u2019s spreadsheet catches up. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For this breakdown, I pulled data from <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/landing.renttoretirement.com\/og-turnkey-rental?hsCtaTracking=f847ff5e-b836-4174-9e8c-7a6847f5a3e6%7C64f0df50-1672-4036-be7b-340131b43ea4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Rent to Retirement\u2019s<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> latest market insights, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">along with<\/span> <a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/fred.stlouisfed.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">FRED<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, Zillow, and some good ol&#8217; investor instinct<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">to <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">find the<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> markets showing real signs of growth for 2025\u20132026.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Quick-Hit List of Markets Worth Watching<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Atlanta, Georgia:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> An appreciation powerhouse<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Columbus, Georgia: <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Steady rent growth and rising jobs<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Canton, Ohio: <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Population and job growth\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Goddard, Kansas:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Low-entry, high-yield market<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Tuscaloosa, Alabama:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> University town and manufacturing growth<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Albuquerque, New Mexico: <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Affordable with rising demand<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">These markets might not make you a millionaire overnight, but they\u2019re the kind that make you start opening Zillow tabs at midnight. Maybe it\u2019s the caffeine talking, but a few of these got my heart racin<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">g\u2026<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">l<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">ike<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> I just found a duplex under asking.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Here are three to consider.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Atlanta, Georgia<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Atlanta has always been a quiet overachiever in the Southeast. While everyone was talking about Austin and Nashville, Atlanta was stacking Fortune 500 relocations, population gains, and infrastructure growth. I personally like the fact that there is a Waffle House on almost every corner, but I don\u2019t think that moves the needle for most investors.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">did <\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">move<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> the needle <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">is<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> that in 2025, Georgia\u2019s economic development office announced $26 billion in new investment commitments.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> That means more than <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/capitalanalyticsassociates.com\/georgia-secures-record-26-3b-in-new-investments\/#:~:text=The%20impact%20is%20far,from%20Korea%2C%20Japan%2C%20and%20Canada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">23,000 new jobs<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Big names like AIG, Duracell, TriNet, and CRH all expanded across the metro, while companies such as Microsoft, Visa, and Boston Scientific grew their existing campuses.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that education and health services alone added 23,500 jobs this year, achieving a growth rate of <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/regions\/southeast\/news-release\/areaemployment_atlanta.htm#:~:text=Industry%20employment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">5.3%<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, which is above the national average. Atlanta\u2019s metro population now tops 5.28 million residents after adding about 64,000 newcomers last year. That\u2019s the size of a small city, moving in annually.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For investors, that means the fundamentals are solid. You might not get 15% returns, but you get diversity, growth, and long-term upside.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Atlanta is the perfect mix of <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/rental-property-cash-flow-analysis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">cash flow<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/what-is-appreciation-in-real-estate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">appreciation<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Think of it as a market where your equity does the heavy lifting, while your tenants cover the monthly bills.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Goddard, Kansas<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Goddard, Kansas, sits just outside Wichita, and it might be one of the most under-the-radar cash flow markets in the country. We <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">are <\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">actually in Kansas, Toto.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The population in Goddard has grown by almost 19% since 2020. Median household income is around <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/datausa.io\/profile\/geo\/goddard-ks#:~:text=2023%20Employed%20Population\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">$92,000<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, which is high for a city of 6,000 people. The median home price sits around $200,000, roughly half the national average. That means you can buy a solid home for less than the down payment on a condo in Austin.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The employment base <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">is built<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> on healthcare, manufacturing, and education. Wichita\u2019s aerospace and industrial sectors spill over, creating steady local demand. Job growth was about 11% last year, which may not sound like much, but in a small community, it\u2019s meaningful.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> is the kind of place where you buy, hold, and breathe easy. There isn\u2019t any trendy hype or unpredictable regulation. Goddard offers dependable tenants and strong yield. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Investors here report 12% to 14% <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.renttoretirement.com\/turnkey-properties\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">cash-on-cash returns<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, with straightforward management.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If Atlanta is where your portfolio grows up, Goddard is where it retires early.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Tuscaloosa, Alabama<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Tuscaloosa doesn\u2019t fit into one category, and that\u2019s what makes it stand out. It\u2019s a university town, a manufacturing hub, and a stable long-term rental market, all rolled into one. Nick Saban isn\u2019t returning anytime soon, but the Tide is still <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">rolling<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The University of Alabama brings in about 38,000 students, creating a steady pipeline of renters. Additionally, the city\u2019s manufacturing sector has quietly exploded, led by Mercedes-Benz, which employs more than 6,000 workers locally. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">When you add in steel, healthcare, and logistics jobs, Tuscaloosa\u2019s unemployment rate is <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">one of<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> the lowest in the state<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">at <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/spartaninvest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Tuscaloosa-Market-Report.pdf#:~:text=6%20EMPLOYMENT%20Stable%20and%20Competitive,ability%20to%20sustain%20economic%20growth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">3%<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The city\u2019s population sits near 116,000 and continues to grow, thanks to steady job creation and expansion in the auto industry. The university adds predictability, while the industrial sector brings stability.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The beauty of Tuscaloosa is flexibility. You can run a traditional long-term rental and count on consistent tenants. You can lease to students for higher yields with a bit more turnover. And you can even test <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/short-term-rental-investing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">short-term rentals<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> around football season or university events. Few markets offer that kind of optionality.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Tuscaloosa might not headline the next viral YouTube video about \u201cThe Top 10 Hot Markets,\u201d but it has the kind of steady performance that keeps portfolios strong through market cycles.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Working With an Expert<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If you want to invest in one of these markets without dealing with the usual headaches, Rent to Retirement <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/landing.renttoretirement.com\/og-turnkey-rental?hsCtaTracking=f847ff5e-b836-4174-9e8c-7a6847f5a3e6%7C64f0df50-1672-4036-be7b-340131b43ea4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">makes it simple<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. They help investors purchase fully renovated, tenant-occupied properties that cash flow from day one. Their team handles everything from identifying the right market and securing financing to coordinating property management and maintenance. It\u2019s a <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">true<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> hands-off approach that lets you build a portfolio in top-performing markets\u2014while keeping your time and sanity intact.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Markets come and go, but good fundamentals stay. The best places to invest share three simple traits: job growth, population growth, and manageable prices. If a market hits two of those three, it deserves a look. If it hits all three, it deserves your money.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Atlanta, Goddard, and Tuscaloosa each tell a different story, but the ending is the same: People are moving there, working there, and paying rent there\u2014and that\u2019s what matters.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Before you chase the next big headline market, look at the quiet ones. They might not make the news, but they\u2019ll make your <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/landing.renttoretirement.com\/og-turnkey-rental?hsCtaTracking=f847ff5e-b836-4174-9e8c-7a6847f5a3e6%7C64f0df50-1672-4036-be7b-340131b43ea4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">portfolio stronger<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We all love hearing about \u201chot\u201d markets, but by the time they\u2019re called hot, they\u2019re already cooling off.&nbsp; As investors, we need to take the emotion out of buying decisions [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":613755,"featured_media":172377,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7364],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-185401","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-housing-markets"],"acf":[],"comment_count":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/185401","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/613755"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=185401"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/185401\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/172377"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=185401"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=185401"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=185401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}