2026 rankings · June 2026 data

The best cash-flow markets of 2026

Twenty-five metros where rent covers the most of the purchase price — ranked on June 2026 published fair market rents against median listing prices, with migration and jobs context on every entry.

2026 listsBest cash-flow markets 2026Best appreciation markets 2026Best first-rental markets 2026 All dashboards Monthly movers
#1 for 2026Johnstown, PA12.3% gross yield
Qualifying metros248≥$100k median · ≥100 active · ≥4% yield
25th-ranked yield6.0%The bar to make this list

Cash flow starts with the ratio between rent and price, and no U.S. markets stretch it further than these. Each metro below is ranked by gross rental yield — the published FY2026 2-bedroom fair market rent × 12 ÷ the median listing price (June 2026) — the cleanest screening ratio for a buy-and-hold rental. Johnstown, PA leads 2026 at 12.3%, meaning a year of median rent covers about 12% of the median asking price before expenses.

The 2026 list
1

Johnstown, PA

$101,175 median list · -22.6% YoY · net migration -12 · jobs -0.6% YoY
12.28%
Gross yield
$1,035
2BR fair market rent /mo
79
Investor Score
2

Elmira, NY

$163,675 median list · +35.5% YoY · net migration -275 · jobs -0.9% YoY
9.41%
Gross yield
$1,283
2BR fair market rent /mo
79
Investor Score
3

Saginaw, MI

$145,000 median list · -21.6% YoY · net migration -349 · jobs +0.7% YoY
9.24%
Gross yield
$1,117
2BR fair market rent /mo
59
Investor Score
4

Decatur, IL

$142,450 median list · -1.7% YoY · net migration -482 · jobs -1.5% YoY
8.95%
Gross yield
$1,063
2BR fair market rent /mo
75
Investor Score
5

Altoona, PA

$169,950 median list · +8.8% YoY · net migration -80 · jobs -1.0% YoY
8.04%
Gross yield
$1,138
2BR fair market rent /mo
73
Investor Score
6

Kokomo, IN

$184,900 median list · -15.9% YoY · net migration +312 · jobs -2.4% YoY
7.29%
Gross yield
$1,123
2BR fair market rent /mo
53
Investor Score
7

Charleston, WV

$170,863 median list · -1.1% YoY · net migration -461 · jobs +0.0% YoY
7.15%
Gross yield
$1,019
2BR fair market rent /mo
81
Investor Score
8

Weirton, WV

$165,625 median list · -1.1% YoY · net migration +226
7.05%
Gross yield
$973
2BR fair market rent /mo
71
Investor Score
9

Lima, OH

$194,000 median list · +14.2% YoY · net migration -205 · jobs -1.0% YoY
6.85%
Gross yield
$1,108
2BR fair market rent /mo
74
Investor Score
10

Wichita Falls, TX

$199,000 median list · -6.5% YoY · net migration -298 · jobs -0.3% YoY
6.85%
Gross yield
$1,136
2BR fair market rent /mo
57
Investor Score
11

Peoria, IL

$182,450 median list · +1.4% YoY · net migration -334 · jobs -0.3% YoY
6.83%
Gross yield
$1,039
2BR fair market rent /mo
82
Investor Score
12

Albany, GA

$199,450 median list · +3.6% YoY · net migration -321 · jobs -1.8% YoY
6.79%
Gross yield
$1,129
2BR fair market rent /mo
56
Investor Score
13

Muncie, IN

$184,900 median list · +2.8% YoY · net migration +309 · jobs -0.6% YoY
6.77%
Gross yield
$1,043
2BR fair market rent /mo
64
Investor Score
14

Vineland, NJ

$299,000 median list · -0.8% YoY · net migration +82 · jobs -1.8% YoY
6.71%
Gross yield
$1,673
2BR fair market rent /mo
70
Investor Score
15

Wheeling, WV

$178,950 median list · -0.5% YoY · net migration -264 · jobs +0.3% YoY
6.65%
Gross yield
$991
2BR fair market rent /mo
66
Investor Score
16

Terre Haute, IN

$199,450 median list · -3.9% YoY · net migration +137 · jobs +1.0% YoY
6.53%
Gross yield
$1,086
2BR fair market rent /mo
60
Investor Score
17

Odessa, TX

$295,225 median list · -7.7% YoY · net migration +633 · jobs -0.2% YoY
6.48%
Gross yield
$1,595
2BR fair market rent /mo
49
Investor Score
18

Macon, GA

$239,950 median list · +9.1% YoY · net migration +1,063 · jobs +0.1% YoY
6.46%
Gross yield
$1,291
2BR fair market rent /mo
53
Investor Score
19

Watertown, NY

$269,900 median list · -6.2% YoY · net migration -1,328 · jobs -0.7% YoY
6.25%
Gross yield
$1,405
2BR fair market rent /mo
72
Investor Score
20

Battle Creek, MI

$227,000 median list · -9.2% YoY · net migration +55 · jobs +0.2% YoY
6.22%
Gross yield
$1,176
2BR fair market rent /mo
61
Investor Score
21

Detroit, MI

$275,000 median list · -1.8% YoY · net migration -12,518 · jobs -0.7% YoY
6.17%
Gross yield
$1,413
2BR fair market rent /mo
71
Investor Score
22

Springfield, OH

$215,000 median list · -6.2% YoY · net migration -51 · jobs -1.2% YoY
6.17%
Gross yield
$1,106
2BR fair market rent /mo
61
Investor Score
23

Beckley, WV

$182,450 median list · -6.4% YoY · net migration -4 · jobs -0.7% YoY
6.14%
Gross yield
$934
2BR fair market rent /mo
67
Investor Score
24

Erie, PA

$238,675 median list · -2.5% YoY · net migration -1,171 · jobs -0.4% YoY
6.09%
Gross yield
$1,212
2BR fair market rent /mo
82
Investor Score
25

Akron, OH

$252,475 median list · -3.9% YoY · net migration -158 · jobs -0.5% YoY
6.03%
Gross yield
$1,268
2BR fair market rent /mo
73
Investor Score

How this list is built

Universe: every U.S. metro in our dataset with a published metro fair market rent (397 markets). Guardrails: median listing price of at least $100,000, at least 100 active listings, and a yield of at least 4% — the same thresholds as our live cash-flow dashboard, which tracks all 50 leaders monthly. Gross yield ignores taxes, insurance, vacancy, management and maintenance; run any specific deal through the deal analyzer before treating a ranking as a thesis. High-yield metros are usually low-cost, slower-growth markets — check each one's momentum and supply readings on its market page.

Based on public records and industry data, as of June 2026; refreshed as sources update. Full formulas and source limits: full methodology. Rankings and scores are data-derived opinions for research, not investment advice — verify current conditions with a local agent, lender or MLS before acting.