Where Are The Best Places to Buy Real Estate? (Updated for 2026)

According to PwC’s Emerging Markets in Real Estate^® survey, the best places to buy real estate in the United States in 2026 are Dallas-Fort Worth, Jersey City, Miami, Brooklyn and Houston. Much has changed since 2021. Although the pandemic is over, its impact on internal migration and demographic shifts continues to shape today’s market conditions.

Discover why the above markets are the top real estate investment locations, the factors driving supply and demand, and insights from reputable experts.

What Are the Top Locations for Real Estate Investment?

These places ranked in the top five as the overall leading real estate prospects, according to PwC’s 2026 survey on emerging markets. The metrics come from the latest housing and rental data from Realtor.com^® and the latest job and population growth figures from several reliable sources, including the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Market	Median Home Price	12-Month Price Growth	Average Rental Yield	Job Growth Rate	Population Growth	Who It’s Best For
Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas	$420,000/$347,988	-0.50%/-0.26% by December 2025	$1,737/$1,679 per month based on 9,680/5,445 units	0.3% year-over-year change in December 2025	8,344,032 people by December 2024	Both investors and homebuyers
Jersey City, New Jersey	$679,000	0% by December 2025	$2,650 per month based on 1,345 units	0.4% year-over-year change in December 2025	302,824 people by December 2024	Homebuyers
Miami, Florida	$630,000	-3.15% by December 2025	$2,899 per month based on 12,562 units	1.3% year-over-year change in August 2025	487,014 people by December 2024	Investors
Brooklyn, New York	$820,000	-2.89% by December 2025	$4,012 per month based on 3,783 units	5.3% year-over-year change in December 2024	2,617,631 people by July 2024	Both investors and homebuyers
Houston, Texas	$319,999	-3.48% by December 2025	$1,773 per month based on 13,834 units	0.4% year-over-year change in December 2025	2,390,125 people by December 2024	Investors

Here’s what makes these places the best real estate buyers in 2026.

• Dallas-Fort Worth: Dallas-Fort Worth has a diverse economy, thanks to its business-friendly environment and low cost of living. Its positive economic outlook makes it the top location for residential and commercial real estate investment in the years to come.
• Jersey City: One of the best multifamily housing markets for investors, Jersey City capitalizes on its strategic proximity to the Manhattan borough of NYC. It attracts individuals seeking a more affordable place to live while working in the Big Apple.
• Miami: Miami’s strength lies in its economic diversification. Its vibrant job market, superb amenities and relative affordability offer promising returns for investors seeking office, hotel and retail properties for their portfolios.
• Brooklyn: Brooklyn appeals to young, high-earning office workers who love culture. The borough has a healthier balance of accessibility and affordability compared to Manhattan, making it one of the best housing markets for investors in the city.
• Houston: Houston is an industrial powerhouse, serving as the logistics hub of Texas and the dominant port in the U.S. Gulf Coast. It has a well-established aerospace industry and is another desirable destination for corporate HQ relocations.

What Makes a Good Location for Real Estate Investment?

Consider these factors to choose the right market to invest in real estate.

1. Economic Opportunities

Urban areas with strong economic growth are more likely to rebound from temporary economic downturns. Look for a place where people can find work, and you’re sure to have new residents moving into the neighborhood and looking for housing.

Dallas-Forth is an excellent example. It’s on pace to overtake Chicago as the third-largest metropolitan area in the country, with a projected population of 10 million by 2040. This projection speaks volumes about the city’s ability to generate jobs from various industries.

2. Convenient Transportation

Look for a location with reliable public transportation. Communities with bikeable and walkable neighborhoods can also attract renters willing to pay a premium for convenience.

For instance, Houston has an extensive bus network and light rail, which make navigating the city easier and more economical. Gas in Texas only costs $2.51 per gallon, so commuting from the suburbs shouldn’t eat too much of your budget.

3. Crime Rates

Pay attention to the crime rates in the property’s immediate neighborhood and in the surrounding area. Local police reports and crime statistics provide significant insight into activity in the area.

Part of the reason many workers in New York City choose to live in Jersey City is because of New Jersey’s relatively low property and violent crime rates. Jersey has the ninth-largest police force in the country, contributing to its reputation as one of the safest states, especially for women.

4. Amenities

If buying an apartment building or a condo, look at amenities and maintenance fees. Even a single-family home in a suburban neighborhood could be a part of a homeowners’ association (HOA) with annual fees and regulations.

HOAs are common in most of the best housing markets for investment. However, your tenants can cover HOA dues by including them in the rent, as specified in the lease agreement.

5. High Occupancy

If you’re buying an investment property and plan to rent it out, check how many vacancies are in the area. Look for other homes that are renting and pay attention to what they rent for, what’s included and how long they stay on the market.

CRBE data revealed that only about 2% of the approximately 570,000 apartment units in Brooklyn were vacant in the second quarter of 2025. The farther the location from downtown, the lower the vacancy rate.

6. Nearby College Students

College towns offer opportunities for seasonal student leases. Make sure everyone signs a lease, and be clear on your maintenance expectations.

Among many things, Miami is a college town. The University of Miami alone hosts about 3,000 international students and scholars from 120 countries every year.

7. Vacation Opportunities

One of the best places to buy real estate for investors is short-term rentals listed on Airbnb and other hosting sites. Pay attention to the factors listed above, as well as the number of other rentals in the area and the going rate.

Many vacation hot spots don’t compete for the same travelers, as destinations have unique advantages that influence the types of vacationers they attract. For example, Palm Bay, Florida, is hot spot for bachelorette weekends, offering the same tropical weather and leisure activities as nearby premier Florida cities, including Jacksonville and Orlando, with lower living costs.

First-Time Homebuyer Markets vs. Investment Markets

First-time homebuyers and residential real estate investors have different motivations. Homebuyers prioritize:

• Budget
• Needs
• Personal lifestyle

Investors think about:

• Initial and recurring costs
• Short-term gains through resale profit
• Long-term gains through rent and equity

The National Association of REALTORS^® (NAR) recommends the following locations due to their affordability relative to median home prices and median incomes.

Market	Median Listing Price	Median Earnings of 25-to-34-Year-Olds	Price-to-Income Ratio	Percentage of Income Spent on Mortgage Payment
Granite City, Illinois	$119,000	$62,621	1.9	12.6%
Rochester, New York	$139,900	$48,617	2.88	19.1%
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania	$151,999	$51,285	2.96	19.7%
Birmingham, Alabama	$148,950	$47,647	3.13	20.8%
North Little Rock, Arkansas	$170,000	$53,258	3.19	21.2%

What Real Estate Market Trends Should You Expect in 2026, According to Experts?

Real estate experts live and breathe market data, so their insights are invaluable for predicting how the future may unfold and preparing for it. Listen to these professionals to know the trends:

• Tom Hutchens, Executive Vice President of Production at Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions
• Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com
• Kevin Thorpe, Chief Economist at Cushman & Wakefield

Hutchens doesn’t fear a large-scale housing collapse in 2026, although some markets may experience corrections.

“The record low supply of houses on the market protects against a market crash.”

To Hale, refuge markets, such as Richmond, Virginia, and Hartford, Connecticut, are the safest bets for investors speculating on cities with the best residential real estate ROI in 2026.

“Our 2026 top housing markets offer better value than nearby high-cost hubs, yet steady demand and persistent inventory shortages keep prices moving upward.”

In commercial real estate, Thorpe shares that optimism is on the rise for leasing and capital markets in 2026, stemming from the resilience of the American economy amid tariffs, volatile policymaking and tightening immigration.

“There is still risk on both sides of the outlook, but we’ve moved past the peak levels of uncertainty, and confidence in the CRE sector is building. Capital is flowing again, interest rates are moving lower, and leasing fundamentals are generally stabilizing or improving. If 2025 was a test of resilience, 2026 has real potential to reward it.”

How Can You Find the Best Places to Buy Real Estate?

Follow these steps to evaluate any real estate market.

1. Follow Demographic Movements

Pay attention to markets gaining and losing people. Demographic shifts can draw your attention to emerging investment locations and those with less enticing opportunities.

2. Review Progress Indicators

Gather the latest economic data from reliable sources to understand a location’s path to progress and spot areas with planned or ongoing development. Rising real estate markets generally experience sustained population growth, so look at the numbers to understand why people want to work and live in a particular location.

3. Study Supply and Demand Metrics

Determine the imbalance between supply and demand to gauge the speed and trajectory of property sale prices and rents in the near, medium and long term. Underserved cities promise the best real estate ROI in 2026 and beyond, while oversaturated markets have little room for growth.

4. Note Relevant Regulations

Familiarize yourself with federal, state, and municipal laws and regulations that may govern the specific type of real estate you want to invest in. Calculate compliance costs early to quantify your potential return and whether it falls within your desired timeline.

5. Identify Reputable Local Partners

Find reputable service providers, such as law firms, financial institutions and builders, that can help execute your investment strategy and reduce your compliance risk. Contact consultants to address your blind spots.

6. Create a Business Plan

Outline your mission, values, goals, strengths and weaknesses. Articulate your strategy per investment and include your backup and exit plans.

Bookmark these resources when researching real estate markets:

• Federal Research Economic Data for economic indicators
• NAR for research-based insights and industry trends
• Realtor.com for local real estate market trends
• State and municipal government sites for relevant laws and regulations
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for employment data and job market trends
• U.S. Census Bureau for demographic data
• Zillow and Redfin for publicly available property listings

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to common questions about top real estate investment locations.

1. What Factors Define the Best Real Estate Markets?

The best real estate markets have diverse economies, positive or stable job growth rates, fast-growing populations and rising incomes. They have low property inventory and have a history of consistent real estate appreciation.

2. Where Is the Best Place to Buy Real Estate Today?

PwC’s Emerging Markets in Real Estate 2026 survey reveals that Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, Jersey City, NJ, Miami, FL, Brooklyn, NY, and Houston, TX, are the best overall real estate prospects. According to NAR, the best housing markets for first-time buyers that should be on investors’ radars in 2026 are Granite City, IL, Rochester, NY, Harrisburg, PA, Birmingham, AL, and North Little Rock, AR.

3. What Makes Some Real Estate Markets Good Investment Locations?

Reliable indicators of top locations for real estate investment are abundant economic opportunities, convenient transportation options and low crime and high occupancy rates.

4. Which Cities Have the Best Real Estate ROI in 2026?

Cities outside premier metropolitan areas offer the best real estate opportunities in 2026. Realtor.com calls them refuge markets, and the platform’s top six picks are Hartford, CT, Rochester, NY, Worcester, MA, Toledo, OH, Providence-Warwick, RI, and Richmond, VA.

Buy Real Estate From the Best Places for Your 2026 Investment Goals

The significant attention some markets receive from most investors may diminish your ROI, so avoid dismissing low-profile locations, as hidden gems with relatively low risk and high reward. Consider all options to identify the most worthwhile real estate investment opportunities and find what’s best for you.