Oklahoma City vs. DFW for a New Multifamily Investor – Looking for Advice
Hi everyone,
I’m a new investor getting ready to buy my first rental property and would appreciate some advice from investors who have experience in both markets.
I’ve lived in Edmond, Oklahoma for the past two years and am now relocating to the Dallas–Fort Worth metro. My long-term goal is to build a portfolio of multifamily rental properties focused on strong cash flow, while also benefiting from long-term appreciation.
Ideally, I’m looking for investments that can achieve around a 10%+ annual ROI, with cash flow being my top priority.
From what I’ve seen so far:
* The Oklahoma City/Edmond area appears to have lower purchase prices and better cash-flow potential.
* DFW seems to have stronger population and job growth, but prices are much higher and it’s harder to find deals that cash flow.
For those who have invested in either or both markets, I’d love to hear your thoughts:
1. If you were starting from scratch today, would you choose Oklahoma City or DFW, and why?
2. Is it still realistic to find multifamily properties in DFW that produce positive cash flow without taking excessive risk?
3. Do you think Oklahoma offers better opportunities for a buy-and-hold investor focused on cash flow?
4. If your goal were to build a portfolio over the next 10–20 years, which market would you prioritize?
5. Are there specific neighborhoods or suburbs in either market that you believe are particularly attractive for long-term rental investing?
I’d really appreciate hearing about your real-world experiences, lessons learned, and anything you wish you had known when starting out.
Thanks in advance.