The Best Long-Term Rental Markets According to the Data (and Common Sense)

BiggerPockets Blog
Published: October 29, 2025
Getting Started

Summary

This article highlights three long-term rental markets – Atlanta, Goddard (Kansas), and Tuscaloosa – that show strong potential for growth based on job and population increases. Hosts can learn from the fundamentals of these markets, particularly the importance of job growth and population as key indicators for investment.

Key Insights

  • Goddard, Kansas, has experienced almost 19% population growth since 2020, with a median household income of around $92,000 and a median home price of $200,000, presenting a high-yield market.
  • Atlanta, Georgia, saw significant investment commitments ($26 billion) and over 23,000 new jobs created in 2025, with education and health services growing by 5.3%, exceeding the national average.
  • Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is a university town and manufacturing hub, with the University of Alabama bringing in about 38,000 students and a low unemployment rate of 3%, thanks to Mercedes-Benz and other sectors.

Action Items

  • Consider investing in markets with job and population growth, and manageable prices.
    Effort: medium
    Impact: medium

Tools & Resources

  • Rent to Retirement: Rent to Retirement helps investors purchase fully renovated, tenant-occupied properties.

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