Cheapest Markets With Positive Cash Flow (2026)

This list starts from the cheapest markets in the country and keeps only the ones where the numbers still work, meaning a median-priced home at median rent covers its mortgage and operating costs with money left over. It answers the entry-level question directly: what is the least I can spend and still cash flow.

Top 22 markets, ranked

Jefferson County, AR leads with a median price of $81,305, median rent of $840, and a 8.1% cap rate. Click any market for the full county report, or run its numbers in the calculator.

#MarketMedian priceMedian priceMedian rentCap rateCash flowAnalyze
1Jefferson County, AR$81,305$81,305$8408.1%$96Run numbers
2McDonough County, IL$99,184$99,184$9197.2%$48Run numbers
3Vermilion County, IL$101,321$101,321$8866.8%$15Run numbers
4Jackson County, OK$114,041$114,041$9806.7%$6Run numbers
5Halifax County, NC$116,316$116,316$1,1257.5%$87Run numbers
6Lauderdale County, MS$121,229$121,229$1,2918.3%$168Run numbers
7Hinds County, MS$130,045$130,045$1,2867.7%$115Run numbers
8Woodward County, OK$139,482$139,482$1,5088.4%$208Run numbers
9Howard County, TX$142,857$142,857$1,4527.9%$152Run numbers
10Iberia Parish, LA$145,862$145,862$1,2906.9%$30Run numbers
11Kleberg County, TX$149,576$149,576$1,5428.0%$174Run numbers
12Halifax County, VA$153,994$153,994$1,3957.1%$54Run numbers
13Vermilion Parish, LA$157,990$157,990$1,4897.3%$93Run numbers
14Walker County, AL$161,006$161,006$1,4817.2%$71Run numbers
15Dale County, AL$161,405$161,405$1,4677.1%$60Run numbers
16Indiana County, PA$172,619$172,619$1,9138.6%$287Run numbers
17Iberville Parish, LA$175,217$175,217$1,9508.7%$297Run numbers
18Baltimore City, MD$181,356$181,356$1,7647.6%$142Run numbers
19Fairfield County, SC$194,460$194,460$2,0568.3%$259Run numbers
20Otsego County, NY$220,102$220,102$1,9316.8%$36Run numbers
21Taylor County, TX$228,744$228,744$1,9956.8%$29Run numbers
22Accomack County, VA$245,742$245,742$2,2067.0%$73Run numbers

How this ranking is calculated

We scored 22 counties and ranked them by median home price, lowest first, among counties with positive estimated monthly cash flow. Markets without both a median home price and a median rent are excluded, because cash flow cannot be estimated without both.

Every figure assumes a median-priced home rented at the local median rent, financed with 20 percent down on a 30-year loan at 7.40%, with closing costs at 3 percent of price and operating costs at 35 percent of rent. Operating costs cover taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and management.

These are modeled estimates for comparing markets, not quotes on a specific property. A real deal turns on the individual property, its condition, and the actual rent it can command. Run any market that interests you through the calculator with real numbers before you make an offer.

Other ways to rank markets

The best market depends on what you are optimizing for. These rankings measure different things and produce different lists.

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These are median-priced estimates. Put in the actual price, rent, taxes, and financing for a property you are looking at and see whether it clears your bar.