Whether you’re a foreign national or U.S. expat looking for an overseas investment property, buying real estate in the U.S. can be a wise and lucrative financial decision. However, in a country so vast, diverse, and spread out, choosing the best location can be a daunting task.
Luckily, a recent Smart Asset study examined home prices in over 400 U.S. metropolitan areas since 1997 and ranked them based on price stability and home value growth. The following are the top 10 best places to buy a house in the U.S. if you’re looking for the best return on your investment.
1. Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, Texas
The Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown Metropolitan area, also known as Greater Austin, is situated on the edge of the American South in Central Texas. The region is home to a number of major universities and boasts a diverse economy fuelled by software, semiconductors, education, and government services.
- Price Change — 368%
- Population — 2,173,808
- Median Age — 35
- Median Household Income — $80,852
- Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units — $303,300
2. Boulder, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado, sits in the Boulder Valley, where the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains meet. The city has a temperate climate, with most days of the year being sunny. Top employers include the University of Colorado at Boulder, IBM Corporation, Google, and Ball Corporation.
- Price Change — 277%
- Population — 108,777
- Median Age — 28.8
- Median Household Income — $72,279
- Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units — $736,000
3. Midland, Texas
Midland, Texas, is a major producer of oil and natural gas and had the lowest unemployment rate in the United States, according to a 2014 report. The city is located in the plains of West Texas and has a semi-arid climate with cool to mild winters and hot summers.
- Price Change — 266%
- Population — 141,194
- Median Age — 31.4
- Median Household Income — $83,616
- Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units — $238,000
4. Odessa, Texas
Odessa, Texas, ranked as the third-fastest-growing small city in the United States in a 2014 Forbes article. The city is the former home of the Bush family and is primarily fueled by the oil industry, with its economy rising and falling with the price of crude oil.
- Price Change — 247%
- Population — 122,630
- Median Age — 30.4
- Median Household Income — $63,829
- Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units — $159,700
5. Fort Collins, Colorado
Fort Collins, Colorado, is a mid-sized college town with an economy based on a mix of service-related business and manufacturing. High-tech companies like Hewlett Packard, Intel, and Microsoft all have offices in Fort Collins due to the resources of the Colorado State University research facilities.
- Price Change — 242%
- Population — 166,069
- Median Age — 29.9
- Median Household Income — $70,528
- Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units — $398,800
6. Rapid City, South Dakota
Rapid City, South Dakota, is home to many famous attractions, and Mount Rushmore is located in the nearby Black Hills. Rapid City’s largest sector is government services, with tourism and finance, and investment companies also making up a large part of the city’s economy.
- Price Change — 231%
- Population — 76,541
- Median Age — 37.2
- Median Household Income — $53,760
- Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units — $194,100
7. Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas
Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas, is one of North America’s largest business centers and is home to a diverse metropolitan economy. The region has an expanding light rail transit system that spans over 90 miles and 60 stations. 300 corporations, including 24 Fortune 500 companies, are headquartered here.
- Price Change — 228%
- Population — 4,997,015
- Median Age — 34.9
- Median Household Income — $74,251
- Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units — $254,300
8. Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas is also known as Greater Houston. It is the fifth-most populous metropolitan area in the United States and ranked first in employment growth in 2017. It has routinely been categorized as one of the top 10 best places to do business in the United States.
- Price Change — 221%
- Population — 6,979,613
- Median Age — 34.5
- Median Household Income — $69,328
- Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units — $208,100
9. Kennewick-Richland, Washington
Kennewick-Richland, Washington’s economy is based on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation and agriculture. Three nearby rivers provide enough water for growing wheat, its most common product, and its semi-arid climate allows grapes to grow in its many wineries.
- Price Change — 217%
- Population — 294,396
- Median Age — 34.1
- Median Household Income — $70,545
- Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units — $246,700
10. San Angelo, Texas
San Angelo, Texas, has been routinely ranked as one of the best small cities for business and employment. For a city of its size, San Angelo has a diverse economy. Oil fields to the west employ many local residents, and the city boasts a strong agricultural industry.
- Price Change — 214%
- Population — 100,509
- Median Age — 34
- Median Household Income — $55,682
- Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units — $143,300
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Best Places to Buy a House for Long-Term Price Appreciation
When searching for the best places to buy a house, investors should look beyond today’s home prices and consider long-term growth potential. Markets with expanding populations, strong job creation, diverse economies, and ongoing infrastructure development often experience higher property value appreciation. Cities that attract technology companies, major employers, and universities typically generate sustained housing demand, supporting long-term investment returns.
The article highlights metropolitan areas such as Austin, Boulder, Midland, Dallas, and Houston because of their historical price growth and economic strength. These markets have demonstrated significant appreciation over time, making them attractive options for both U.S. buyers and international investors seeking wealth creation through real estate.
Before investing, buyers should evaluate local employment trends, future development, rental demand, and affordability. Choosing the right location can significantly improve both capital appreciation and long-term investment performance.
How to Choose the Best Places to Buy a House as an Investor
Finding the best places to buy a house requires careful research into local market conditions and future growth prospects. Investors should consider factors such as population growth, employment opportunities, housing supply, transportation infrastructure, and the strength of the local economy. Markets supported by multiple industries are generally more resilient during economic downturns and may offer more stable property value growth.
International investors and U.S. Expats should also evaluate financing options, property taxes, rental demand, and long-term ownership costs before purchasing. Selecting a market with consistent economic expansion can improve both rental income potential and future resale value.
A successful real estate investment is about more than purchasing an affordable property—it’s about buying in a location with strong fundamentals that support sustainable appreciation over many years.
FAQs
1. What are the best places to buy a house for investment?
The best places to buy a house are typically cities with strong job growth, increasing populations, diverse economies, and a history of steady property value appreciation.
2. Why are some cities better for property investment than others?
Cities with expanding economies, limited housing supply, and strong employment opportunities tend to experience higher demand, supporting long-term property value growth.
3. Should international buyers invest in the best places to buy a house in the U.S.?
Yes. Many international buyers choose high-growth U.S. markets because they offer opportunities for both capital appreciation and rental income, subject to their investment objectives.
4. What factors should I consider before choosing the best places to buy a house?
Consider local economic growth, employment rates, population trends, infrastructure development, rental demand, financing options, and long-term appreciation potential.
5. Can financing help me buy a house in top U.S. investment markets?
Yes. Many lenders offer mortgage solutions for qualified Foreign Nationals and U.S. Expats, making it possible to purchase property in some of the best places to buy a house without paying the full purchase price upfront.