{"id":16408,"date":"2023-07-10T05:00:24","date_gmt":"2023-07-10T05:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/?p=16408"},"modified":"2025-02-03T15:50:57","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T15:50:57","slug":"best-cities-to-invest-in-real-estate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/best-cities-to-invest-in-real-estate\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Best Cities to Invest in Real Estate &#038; Buy Rental Property in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"    <div id=\"callout-box-block_d7dfd03b96c7bebf248813544d03f27c\" class=\"callout-box promo\">\n        <div class=\"callout-box__icon-wrapper\">\n            <svg focusable=\"false\" class=\"callout-box__icon promo\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                <path d=\"M21.41 11.58l-9-9C12.05 2.22 11.55 2 11 2H4c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2v7c0 .55.22 1.05.59 1.42l9 9c.36.36.86.58 1.41.58.55 0 1.05-.22 1.41-.59l7-7c.37-.36.59-.86.59-1.41 0-.55-.23-1.06-.59-1.42zM5.5 7C4.67 7 4 6.33 4 5.5S4.67 4 5.5 4 7 4.67 7 5.5 6.33 7 5.5 7z\"><\/path>            <\/svg>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"callout-box__content\"><p><strong>Fun fact: The majority of WallStreetZen&#8217;s editorial team dabbles in real estate.<\/strong> Our team owns and\/or manage over a dozen properties combined, all across the U.S. and abroad. <em>And we can tell you that managing property is a lot easier with the right tools.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>One of our must-haves? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/rentprep\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RentPrep<\/a>, which offers easy-to-use tenant screening software so you can easily \u00a0screen potential tenants and identify any red flags before signing any paperwork. It&#8217;s just $21 to get started, and it can save you money \u2014 and potential headaches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Buying real estate is a big commitment. I&#8217;ve bought two properties, and, as a property manager, have managed the repairs and upkeep for around 1,000 properties over 5 years. So trust me when I say that you probably don\u2019t want to go all in on a rental property only to discover five years down the line that the city you chose isn\u2019t renter-friendly. Wouldn\u2019t it be great if someone put together a list of the best places to buy rental property to help you decide? It would be. So I did it for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, I cover the ten best cities to buy rental property. My analysis uses readily available data about the rental landscape in each city and the intuition I\u2019ve developed over the years from my own real estate investments. Here\u2019s what I\u2019ve come up with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>At a Glance: 10 Best Cities to Invest in Real Estate &amp; Buy Rental Property<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep reading to learn more about each city and why it made the list. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li>San Antonio, TX<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Indianapolis, IN<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cleveland, OH<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cincinnati, OH<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Oklahoma City, OK<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Charlotte, NC<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Birmingham, AL <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Houston, TX<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ocala, FL <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Atlanta, GA <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h.vncratcyb0uz\"><strong>1. San Antonio, Texas<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Median home cost: $295K<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Average monthly rent: $1735<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Rental vacancy rate: 7.2%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image6-7.png\" alt=\"Image6\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>San Antonio is one of the best places to buy rental property, thanks to its rising population, low vacancy rate, and below-average home cost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The median home price in San Antonio is just under $300,000, while the rental rate is approaching $2,000, giving properties in the area excellent cash-on-cash return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>San Antonio is a popular place to move, with job growth in popular sectors like healthcare, cybersecurity, and tourism. It\u2019s also a great place for military families and accessibility to nearby Austin and Houston.<\/p>\n\n\n    <div id=\"callout-box-block_4153e7b906114361ee5722926116b8f8\" class=\"callout-box promo\">\n        <div class=\"callout-box__icon-wrapper\">\n            <svg focusable=\"false\" class=\"callout-box__icon promo\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                <path d=\"M21.41 11.58l-9-9C12.05 2.22 11.55 2 11 2H4c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2v7c0 .55.22 1.05.59 1.42l9 9c.36.36.86.58 1.41.58.55 0 1.05-.22 1.41-.59l7-7c.37-.36.59-.86.59-1.41 0-.55-.23-1.06-.59-1.42zM5.5 7C4.67 7 4 6.33 4 5.5S4.67 4 5.5 4 7 4.67 7 5.5 6.33 7 5.5 7z\"><\/path>            <\/svg>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"callout-box__content\"><p><strong>Note from the Editor: How I Spend My Rental Income\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Hey. As a landlord myself, I wanted to pass on how I make use of my rental income. To give you context, my mortgage is $700 (including taxes and insurance), and I charge $1400 a month in rent.<\/p>\n<p>First, I use the rental income to pay the mortgage, and pay an extra $100 on the principal. ($800).<\/p>\n<p>Next, I put $300 into a high-yield savings account (I use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/cit-bank\" target=\"_blank\">CIT Bank<\/a>) \u2014 this money collects interest until I need it for a repair, new appliance, or anything else my tenants might need. Now we&#8217;re up to $1100.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, I invest the last $300 in the stock market. I use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/etoro-sign-up\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">eToro<\/a> as my brokerage, and typically invest in blue chip stocks like Walmart (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/stocks\/us\/nyse\/wmt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NYSE: WMT<\/a>) or McDonald&#8217;s (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/stocks\/us\/nyse\/mcd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NYSE: MCD<\/a>) or ETFs with a long, proven track record like VTI. Over the years, these relatively small monthly investments have paid off both in stock growth and dividends. You can check out eToro and get a $10 bonus using the link below.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/etoro-10-1\" target=\"_blank\">Interested in investing in stocks or ETFs? Check out eToro + get a $10 bonus <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-code-snippets-content\"><div class=\"disclaimer\">\r\n\t<p>eToro securities trading is offered by eToro USA Securities, Inc. (\u201cthe BD\u201d), member of FINRA and SIPC. Cryptocurrency is offered by eToro USA LLC (\u201cthe MSB\u201d) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB and\/or the BD.<\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h.uk3lpwm6a65x\"><strong>2. Indianapolis, Indiana<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Median home cost: $230,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Average monthly rent: $1,368<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Rental vacancy rate: 10.4% <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image3-8.png\" alt=\"Image3\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Indianapolis\u2019 numbers might not be as appealing as San Antonio\u2019s, but that doesn\u2019t mean that it\u2019s not one of the best cities for rental properties in its own right. The median home price is a very reasonable $230,000. While the average monthly rent is listed at $1300 or so, that&#8217;s for apartments \u2014 a quick search revealed that a nice, 2 or 3-bedroom house can fetch as much as $2500 a month as a rental. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Assuming you purchased a $230K house with a 20% down payment, your monthly payments might be $1100 or so \u2014 if you were then able to rent it for $2,000 a month, that&#8217;s nearly $1,000 a month in profit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of my favorite things about Indianapolis \u2014 and one of the reasons I view it as one of the best cities to invest in real estate \u2014 is that the population skews young,<strong> with nearly 40% of residents under the age of 25.<\/strong> It\u2019s also becoming a center for tech startups, which gives it solid growth potential in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h.i0t9ojhx9782\"><strong>3. Cleveland, Ohio<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Median home cost: $110,545<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Average monthly rent: $1,300<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Rental vacancy rate: 4.6% <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image1-8.png\" alt=\"Image1\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Another one of the best places to buy rental property is just next door to Indianapolis in the neighboring state of Ohio. Cleveland  is one of the most affordable metropolitan areas in the country, which means it\u2019s much easier for investors to get in the game than it is in a more expensive city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To put that in perspective, I took a look around on Zillow and found a 3-bedroom, 2-bath house  in seemingly great condition just minutes from downtown, in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood. The price tag? $149K. If you were to make a 40% down payment, which is comparable to a 20% down payment in more expensive cities, you could be looking at a monthly payment of just $900 or so. The rental estimate on the same property is $1700 a month. You do the math! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cleveland has a lot going for it when it comes to investment properties, but its relatively low rental vacancy rate and high home appreciation rate really set it apart from similar cities and make it one of the best places to buy investment property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h.xo74y8syfa43\"><strong>4. Cincinnati, Ohio<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Median home cost: $260,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Average monthly rent: $1,390<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Rental vacancy rate: 5.8%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image8-5.png\" alt=\"Image8\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Sticking with the Ohio theme, Cincinnati has another one of the best rental markets in the US. Its homes are a bit more expensive than Cleveland\u2019s, but the median sale price of homes in the Cincinnati area is still much lower than the national median of $436,800.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cincinnati homes sell quickly, and the city was recently <a href=\"https:\/\/realestate.usnews.com\/places\/rankings\/best-places-to-live-in-ohio\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">rated the number one place to live in Ohio by U.S News &amp; World Report<\/a>. As Cincinnati\u2019s population and economy continue to grow, it will only become more attractive to real estate investors, making now an excellent time to buy in early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h.buy9e9word2k\"><strong>5. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Median home cost: $270,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Average monthly rent: $1295<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Rental vacancy rate: 6.9%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image7-5.png\" alt=\"Image7\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>You might not expect Oklahoma City to be one of the best cities to buy rental property in, but it\u2019s actually one of the best cities to invest in real estate. The average monthly rental price may be deceptive \u2014 when I took a look at single-family home rentals in the city, the prices skewed much more in the $2-3K range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Oklahoma City is also on the up-and-up, with steady population increases of around 1% year-over-year for the last four to five years.<\/strong> The housing market is following suit \u2014 the average home price has gone up $10K in the past year. If the trend continues, the rental demand in the city will continue to increase, driving rental rates up and putting Oklahoma City on more investors\u2019 radars. <\/p>\n\n\n    <div id=\"callout-box-block_af12a54a7d1b8f25d8a7bfbbfad957fd\" class=\"callout-box promo\">\n        <div class=\"callout-box__icon-wrapper\">\n            <svg focusable=\"false\" class=\"callout-box__icon promo\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                <path d=\"M21.41 11.58l-9-9C12.05 2.22 11.55 2 11 2H4c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2v7c0 .55.22 1.05.59 1.42l9 9c.36.36.86.58 1.41.58.55 0 1.05-.22 1.41-.59l7-7c.37-.36.59-.86.59-1.41 0-.55-.23-1.06-.59-1.42zM5.5 7C4.67 7 4 6.33 4 5.5S4.67 4 5.5 4 7 4.67 7 5.5 6.33 7 5.5 7z\"><\/path>            <\/svg>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"callout-box__content\"><p>Buying and renting property is hard work. Stessa&#8217;s tools make it easier.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/stessa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Stessa<\/a> offers mortgaging and refinancing services \u2014 but so much more. It also offers a VERY handy tax center that not only demystifies the sometimes-painful process of paying taxes on rental property but helps you aggregate your transactions into a single succinct tax package.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/stessa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Check out Stessa <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h.5cr2m6g6irpf\"><strong>6. Charlotte, North Carolina<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Median home cost: $401,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Average monthly rent: $1,995<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Rental vacancy rate: 4.5%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image14-1.png\" alt=\"Image14\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Charlotte\u2019s home prices are considerably higher than the other cities I\u2019ve covered so far, <strong>but the city\u2019s mind-boggling 120% home appreciation rate over the last eight years more than makes up for it. <\/strong>The city is one of the best cities for rental properties in 2026, with higher-than-average rental rates compared to similarly-sized cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Charlotte\u2019s growth is its biggest asset. As more people pour into Charlotte, rental rates have continued to rise. For instance, a quick perusal of Zillow just revealed that 3-bedroom houses regularly fetch $3k or more in Charlotte. So if you were able to make a decent down payment (40% or so), it could be well worth your while. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Home prices are likely to rise, too, giving investors who pull the trigger now the potential for excellent returns for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n\n\n    <div id=\"callout-box-block_a13e8940905c8aeb32c918dbba77daea\" class=\"callout-box promo\">\n        <div class=\"callout-box__icon-wrapper\">\n            <svg focusable=\"false\" class=\"callout-box__icon promo\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                <path d=\"M21.41 11.58l-9-9C12.05 2.22 11.55 2 11 2H4c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2v7c0 .55.22 1.05.59 1.42l9 9c.36.36.86.58 1.41.58.55 0 1.05-.22 1.41-.59l7-7c.37-.36.59-.86.59-1.41 0-.55-.23-1.06-.59-1.42zM5.5 7C4.67 7 4 6.33 4 5.5S4.67 4 5.5 4 7 4.67 7 5.5 6.33 7 5.5 7z\"><\/path>            <\/svg>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"callout-box__content\"><p>Saving up for rental property?<\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t let your savings stagnate in a regular savings account! A high-yield savings account offers better returns and turns you on to the magic of compound interest \u2014 meaning you can potentially reach your financial goals faster.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Right now, CIT Bank has rates up to 5% on high yield savings accounts. To put that in perspective, even big banks like Capital One only offer about 4.15%. That might not seem like a big difference, but consider the returns over time, factoring in compound interest:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">$10K account, 4.15% interest \u27a1\ufe0f 10 years: $15,017.33<\/span><!-- \/wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --><\/li>\n<li>$10K account, 5% interest \u27a1\ufe0f 10 years: $16,288.95<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s over 1,000 reasons to make a change!<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"http:\/\/www.wallstreezen.com\/go\/cit-bank\" style=\"background-color:#446bca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Check out CIT Bank<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h.uvhjoq3ygjzp\"><strong>7. Birmingham, Alabama<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Median home cost: $190,00<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Average monthly rent: $1,100<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Rental vacancy rate: 8.5%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image10-1.png\" alt=\"Image10\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Birmingham, Alabama is another sleeper pick that I\u2019m willing to bet wasn\u2019t high on your list of the best cities for real estate investment. One thing I love about the city for real estate investing? The median sale price is going up fast it&#8217;s currently $190,000 which is 14.3% year over year. The combination of low median cost and relatively high monthly rents make it my \u201chidden gem\u201d and one of the best places to buy investment property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Birmingham is one of the economically healthiest cities in Alabama, with growth in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing sectors in the last three to five years. This growth is sure to bring more workers to the city, increasing the rental demand and lowering the city\u2019s moderately high rental vacancy rate.<\/p>\n\n\n    <div id=\"callout-box-block_a836161c01ffaa4bd01297fa3443cd13\" class=\"callout-box promo\">\n        <div class=\"callout-box__icon-wrapper\">\n            <svg focusable=\"false\" class=\"callout-box__icon promo\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                <path d=\"M21.41 11.58l-9-9C12.05 2.22 11.55 2 11 2H4c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2v7c0 .55.22 1.05.59 1.42l9 9c.36.36.86.58 1.41.58.55 0 1.05-.22 1.41-.59l7-7c.37-.36.59-.86.59-1.41 0-.55-.23-1.06-.59-1.42zM5.5 7C4.67 7 4 6.33 4 5.5S4.67 4 5.5 4 7 4.67 7 5.5 6.33 7 5.5 7z\"><\/path>            <\/svg>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"callout-box__content\"><p>Don&#8217;t put your rental income potential in jeopardy. Screen your tenants properly!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/rentprep\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RentPrep<\/a> is the BEST tenant screening out there, allowing you to easily perform background checks. Find out about bankruptcies, judgments and liens, and more.<\/p>\n<p>An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. With plans starting at just $21, I firmly believe RentPrep is well worth the peace of mind you get as a landlord.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/rentprep\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Try RentPrep<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h.371wvnd3lbwm\"><strong>8. Houston, Texas<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Median home cost: $362,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Average monthly rent: $1,900<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Rental vacancy rate: 9.5%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image12-1.png\" alt=\"Image12\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The next city I want to highlight requires a trip back down south to the Lone Star State. Houston was one of the fastest-growing cities of the early 2000s during the dot-com craze. While it\u2019s not quite hitting those rates again, its current growth puts it on my shortlist of where to buy rental property in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Houston\u2019s home prices are below the national average, but its monthly rental rates are high, giving it the potential for excellent ROI right off the bat. The city\u2019s rental vacancy rate and property taxes make it less desirable than other places on the list so far, but Houston\u2019s current population growth and future job prospects make it a long-term favorite of mine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h.h8cdozsd5jkn\"><strong>9. Ocala, Florida<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Median home cost: $277,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Average monthly rent: $2,340 (for a single-family house)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Rental vacancy rate: 5.1%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image4-8.png\" alt=\"Image4\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>My penultimate pick takes us to the Sunshine State. Ocala doesn\u2019t have the name recognition of Florida\u2019s other cities, but that\u2019s what makes it such a good opportunity for real estate investors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ocala\u2019s rental rates hover around $1,600 per month for apartments \u2014 but for single-family homes, it&#8217;s much higher \u2014 $2,340.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>People are flocking to Ocala from other parts of Florida to take advantage of its comparatively low cost of living, making it an excellent time to invest in a rental property before prices catch up to demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h.vggnxwrzt6p1\"><strong>10. Atlanta, Georgia<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Median home cost: $399,879<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Average monthly rent: $2145<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Rental vacancy rate: 6.8%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image9-4.png\" alt=\"Image9\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The final city I want to cover sits just a few hundred miles north of Ocala. Atlanta is a bit unusual compared to the other cities I discussed thus far. For starters, its median home price fell by 3.2% over the last year, which might be concerning to some investors. However, despite this slight downturn, rental rates in Georgia remain high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Atlanta\u2019s job market continues to flourish, showing a 5% growth over the last year. The city\u2019s economy also continues to grow, even after the impressive 30% growth it showed from 2010 to 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The bottom line is that I think Atlanta is flying under a lot of real estate investors\u2019 radars right now. The city\u2019s rental rates are high compared to its property values, and its continued growth is a good sign for investors who are in it for the long haul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h.qb15l3580o02\"><strong>Don\u2019t Want the Hassle? Other Ways to Invest in Real Estate<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While tools like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/stessa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Stessa<\/a> can help, purchasing rental property is no small task. It takes a lot of time and effort to manage a rental property, time and effort that not everybody can spare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to invest in real estate but don\u2019t want to own and manage a rental property yourself, here are some of my favorite alternative options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h.ble38k5autm5\"><strong>REITs <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/fundrise\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image5-8.png\" alt=\"Image5\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>One of the easiest ways to get into real estate investing is to purchase shares of a real estate investment trust (REIT). These work just like ordinary stocks, except the underlying is a basket of real estate investments instead of shares of a company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can invest in REITs on the stock market using a brokerage like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/etoro-sign-up?SubAffiliateID=blog-best-cities-real-estate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">eToro<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n    <div id=\"callout-box-block_533f9314c2af80cb8ea71a1da4cc19b6\" class=\"callout-box promo\">\n        <div class=\"callout-box__icon-wrapper\">\n            <svg focusable=\"false\" class=\"callout-box__icon promo\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                <path d=\"M21.41 11.58l-9-9C12.05 2.22 11.55 2 11 2H4c-1.1 0-2 .9-2 2v7c0 .55.22 1.05.59 1.42l9 9c.36.36.86.58 1.41.58.55 0 1.05-.22 1.41-.59l7-7c.37-.36.59-.86.59-1.41 0-.55-.23-1.06-.59-1.42zM5.5 7C4.67 7 4 6.33 4 5.5S4.67 4 5.5 4 7 4.67 7 5.5 6.33 7 5.5 7z\"><\/path>            <\/svg>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"callout-box__content\"><p>Real estate investment trusts are an asset class that lets you purchase shares of companies that manage real estate holdings that generate income. The vast majority of brokerages offer them \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/etoro-sign-up?SubAffiliateID=blog-best-cities-real-estate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">eToro<\/a>\u00a0is our favorite.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>We already love eToro\u2019s extensive offerings for traders \u2014 low or no-commission trades, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/etoro-copytrader?SubAffiliateID=blog-best-cities-real-estate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CopyTrader feature<\/a>\u00a0that lets you mirror the trades of pros, and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/etoro-paper-trading?SubAffiliateID=blog-best-cities-real-estate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">trading simulator<\/a>\u00a0that helps you test out strategies before you put money on the line.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>But did you know that eToro also offers REITs? You can browse REITs or use eToro\u2019s REIT Smart Portfolio.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/etoro-sign-up?SubAffiliateID=blog-best-cities-real-estate\" style=\"background-color:#446bca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Check out eToro<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-code-snippets-content\"><div class=\"disclaimer\">\r\n\t<p>eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptoassets, as well as trading CFDs.\r\n\t\r\n\t<p>Please note that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 61% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.\r\n\t\r\n\t<p>This communication is intended for information and educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or investment recommendation. Past performance is not an indication of future results.\r\n\r\n\t<p>Copy Trading does not amount to investment advice.  The value of your investments may go up or down.  Your capital is at risk.\r\n\r\n\t<p>Crypto investments are risky and may not suit retail investors; you could lose\r\nyour entire investment. Understand the risks here <a href=\"https:\/\/etoro.tw\/3PI44nZ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/etoro.tw\/3PI44nZ<\/a>\r\n\r\n\t<p>Don\u2019t invest unless you\u2019re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.etoro.com\/customer-service\/terms-conditions\/trading-restriction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Take 2 mins to learn more<\/a>\r\n\r\n\t<p>eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs and makes no representation and assumes no liability as to the accuracy or completeness of the content of this publication, which has been prepared by our partner utilizing publicly available non-entity specific information about eToro.<\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h.kiwhsrfipvd1\"><strong>Crowdfunded Residential Rental Properties<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Another great option for people who don\u2019t know where to buy rental property is to diversify by investing in crowdfunded residential rental properties. Crowdfunding platforms like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/arrived\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arrived Homes<\/a>&nbsp;let you buy shares of investment properties to earn part of the property\u2019s rental income each month.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/arrived\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image2-8.png\" alt=\"Image2\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Purchasing shares in an investment property through Arrived Homes eliminates all of the hassles you would have managing your own property. It\u2019s one of the best ways to add real estate exposure to your portfolio, and I recommend it to anyone who will listen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/arrived\" style=\"background-color:#446bca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Check out Arrived Homes&nbsp;<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h.ncfme9amqgx4\"><strong>Crowdfunded Commercial Real Estate<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Arrived Homes specializes in crowdfunded residential real estate, but other platforms \u2014 like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/yieldstreet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yieldstreet<\/a> \u2014 offer access to crowdfunded commercial real estate instead.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/yieldstreet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image11-1.png\" alt=\"Image11\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/yieldstreet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yieldstreet<\/a> works similarly to Arrived Homes, but many of the opportunities are limited to accredited investors. Investors purchase shares of properties and get to share in the property\u2019s rental income and appreciation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Commercial real estate investing is much more complicated than residential real estate and requires greater capital, so crowdfunding through Yieldstreet is the only feasible way to get involved for most people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On Yieldstreet, you can browse individual deals \u2014 or you can diversify in a snap by investing in a fund, such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/yieldstreet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Alternative Income Fund<\/a>, which offers access to commercial real estate AND a variety of other assets within the same investment vehicle:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/yieldstreet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1074\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Screenshot-2025-02-03-at-9.50.24\u202fAM-2000x1074.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29521\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Screenshot-2025-02-03-at-9.50.24\u202fAM-2000x1074.png 2000w, https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Screenshot-2025-02-03-at-9.50.24\u202fAM-768x412.png 768w, https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Screenshot-2025-02-03-at-9.50.24\u202fAM-1536x825.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Screenshot-2025-02-03-at-9.50.24\u202fAM.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Why diversify into more markets than just real estate? Diversity. As you can see below, diversifying into private markets has proven an intelligent strategy over the past 15 years: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/yieldstreet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1194\" height=\"806\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/alternative-investment-platforms-yieldstreet.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28470\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/alternative-investment-platforms-yieldstreet.jpg.webp 1194w, https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/alternative-investment-platforms-yieldstreet.jpg-768x518.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1194px) 100vw, 1194px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;re interested in gaining access to serious real estate deals \u2014 and alternative assets beyond just real estate \u2014 Yieldstreet is one of the best platforms out there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/yieldstreet\" style=\"background-color:#446bca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Check out Yieldstreet <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h.23m7bhudkbum\"><strong>Final Word: <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In my opinion, San Antonio, Indianapolis, and Cleveland are three of the best places to buy rental property right now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They offer a solid cost-benefit ratio right now but crucially have a lot of room to improve in the future. All three cities are experiencing population growth, which almost always goes hand in hand with increased demand for rental housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to get into real estate investing but don\u2019t want to own your own property, I recommend checking out a crowdfunding platform like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/arrived\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arrived Homes<\/a>&nbsp;or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/yieldstreet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yieldstreet<\/a>. If even that seems like too much, it\u2019s hard to go wrong with a tried-and-true REIT through an established online broker like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/go\/etoro-sign-up\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">eToro<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-code-snippets-content\"><div class=\"disclaimer\">\r\n\t<p>eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.<\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-faq-schema-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>FAQs:<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-faq-schema-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>What rental properties are most profitable?<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The most profitable rental properties are in good locations and are well-maintained. Even if you invest in a property in one of the best rental markets in the US, you need to make sure that the property is in good shape and won\u2019t require endless maintenance work and repairs. Single-family homes also tend to be more profitable than other types of rental properties.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Where is the highest real estate ROI in the US?<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>As of the first quarter of 2023, the highest real estate ROI in the US is found in cities like Houma, Louisiana, Dothan, Alabama, and Johnstown, Pennsylvania. These are some of the best places to buy rental property due to their high rental rates and low property values.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>What is the best real estate to invest in?<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In my opinion, the best real estate to invest in is a single-family home in one of the best cities for real estate investment I covered in this article. Single-family homes have better ROI statistics than other types of properties and are easier to manage than multi-family homes or commercial properties.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>What is the best rate of return on rental property?<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In general, the higher the rate of return, the better. However, there are a few different ways to measure your rate of return, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. To get a full picture of a property\u2019s value as a source of income, you should estimate its cash-on-cash return, gross rent multiplier, net operating income, and cap rate.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Buying real estate is a big commitment. I&#8217;ve bought two properties, and, as a property manager, have managed the repairs and upkeep for around 1,000 properties over 5 years. So trust me when I say that you probably don\u2019t want to go all in on a rental property only to discover five years down the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":16394,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false},"categories":[34,31],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>10 Best Cities to Invest in Real Estate &amp; Buy Rental Property in 2026<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Find out the best cities to invest in real estate right now \u2014 plus investment alternatives if you don&#039;t have the cash to buy property.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/best-cities-to-invest-in-real-estate\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"10 Best Cities to Invest in Real Estate &amp; Buy Rental Property in 2026\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Find out the best cities to invest in real estate right now \u2014 plus investment alternatives if you don&#039;t have the cash to buy property.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/best-cities-to-invest-in-real-estate\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"WallStreetZen\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-07-10T05:00:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-02-03T15:50:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image6-7.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"791\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Dan Simms\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@wallstreet_zen\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@wallstreet_zen\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Dan Simms\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"13 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\n\t    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n\t    \"@graph\": [\n\t        {\n\t            \"@type\": \"Article\",\n\t            \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/best-cities-to-invest-in-real-estate\/#article\",\n\t            \"isPartOf\": {\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/best-cities-to-invest-in-real-estate\/\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"author\": {\n\t                \"name\": \"Dan Simms\",\n\t                \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.wallstreetzen.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/8c50e5f9491b2c9899a1bf8c5a716907\"\n\t            },\n\t            \"headline\": \"10 Best Cities to Invest in Real Estate &#038; 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