The real estate market has flipped from where we’ve been in recent years, and there is loads of data to show it.
Rent To Retirement’s research team has evaluated hundreds of deals, looking specifically at rent-to-price ratios, landlord laws, and appreciation trends. The goal is to find states where your money works harder without you needing a hammer, a spreadsheet, or a 2 a.m. call about a water leak.
Let’s walk through what the numbers are saying.
Why Yields Matter
Seasoned investors know that wealth is not built on flashy “what it might be worth someday” numbers, but on yield, the steady income your property actually produces right now.
Yield is your return after rent, expenses, and surprises (I’m looking at you, water heater). It is what remains after the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and maintenance are paid. Think of it as your property’s paycheck to you.
For example, let’s say you buy a home for $300,000, and it rents for $2,100 per month. In this case, you would have about a 0.7% monthly yield, or 8.4% annually before expenses. The higher the yield, the better your cash flow is right now, and the less you rely on home prices increasing (and eventually selling) to make your money.
Yield is what keeps your portfolio healthy when interest rates rise or prices cool off. It is the difference between owning an investment that pays you each month and one that only looks good on Zillow.
The Top States For Yield
Texas
Everything really is bigger in Texas, including the rental market. The state added almost half a million new residents in 2024, according to the Census Bureau. Dallas-Fort Worth alone created more than 140,000 new jobs.
For investors, that means steady population growth, rising rents, and no state income tax. Median home prices hover around $345,000 as of June 2025. Average monthly rents are about $2,400. This would create a 0.7% monthly yield before appreciation or tax benefits.
Rent To Retirement investors are finding opportunities in cities like Waco, San Antonio, and Houston. Builders are offering incentives, tenants love new homes, and investors are collecting consistent rent without constant repairs.
Florida
Florida is the state that never seems to cool off. In 2024, the Florida Chamber of Commerce forecasted that Florida would gain between 225,000 and 275,000 new residents. The population is more than just retirees and your classic snowbirds these days. Remote workers, young families, and business owners are all chasing sunshine and opportunity.
Median home prices are around $415,000, and average monthly rents are near $2,300. That gives investors a healthy return while property values continue to grow.
Rent To Retirement highlights cities like Ocala, Cape Coral, and Jacksonville. These markets are affordable, expanding, and in high demand from long-term tenants.
Indiana
Indiana may not make flashy headlines, but it consistently delivers results. Median home prices are around $251,000, and average rents are about $1,450.
Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Lafayette have become reliable cash flow centers thanks to stable jobs in healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing. For investors who like predictability, Indiana is quietly one of the strongest performers in the country.
Georgia
Atlanta often grabs attention, but Georgia’s smaller metros are outperforming this major metro. Cities like Macon and Warner Robins offer home prices near $169,000 and rents around $1,400.
Georgia ranks high on Rent To Retirement’s list due to strong job growth, continuous population inflow, and a balance of affordability and rent strength. For investors looking for stable, long-term tenants, Georgia checks every box.
What These States Have in Common
Each of these markets shares three traits that separate it from the rest of the country:
- Population growth. Texas and Florida alone made up more than one-third of total U.S. population growth last year.
- Landlord-friendly laws that allow investors to manage efficiently and protect their assets.
- Affordability and healthy rent levels that make properties cash flow from day one.
Rent To Retirement focuses exclusively on markets that meet these criteria. Their goal is to find states where properties perform and investors can scale their portfolios confidently.
Why Turnkey Matters
Some investors love the challenge of a fixer-upper. But if you’re investing out of state (or even in-state), you may be sitting on your asset without making returns as you wait to finish your project. The BRRRR model is tried and true, but it can be extremely stressful if you’re hoping to cash flow right away.
Rent To Retirement solves that problem with its turnkey model. Every property is newly built or fully renovated, professionally managed, and tenant-ready.
Investors benefit from:
- Immediate rental income, with no rehab delays
- Professional local management teams
- Financing options through RTR’s network
- Accurate rental projections backed by data
This approach turns real estate investing into something repeatable and scalable. You pick the market, and Rent To Retirement handles the heavy lifting, so you can start earning income without trading your time for maintenance calls and lengthy fixer-upper projects.
The 2026 Playbook
Real estate headlines may be filled with panic about high rates or affordability, but the numbers tell a different story. Across Rent To Retirement’s network, investors are earning annual cash-on-cash returns between 8% and 12% in select markets.
As you look to grow your own portfolio, it’s important to invest where the math makes the most sense—not where the hype is the loudest. The Midwest, Southeast, and Sunbelt remain the best regions for combining affordability, rent strength, and long-term growth. These are the places where your money works while you sleep.
Going into 2026, investors are winning in states like Texas, Florida, Indiana, and Georgia. Yields are strong, tenants are plentiful, and growth is steady. Rent To Retirement is already positioned in these markets, helping investors build portfolios that generate real cash flow and long-term appreciation.
Working with Rent To Retirement is real estate made simple. No stress, no guesswork, no late-night phone calls about broken faucets. Just modern homes in high-performing states, managed by experts who understand how to turn data into dollars.