Top Metro Areas for Landlords: Rents and Home Prices Projected to Grow Through 2025

For landlords, investors, and property managers eyeing opportunities, recent data from Zillow through May 2025 highlights 24 promising U.S. markets where rents are climbing alongside positive housing market forecasts. Notably, the list identifies metros where both rental and home price growth signal healthy market dynamics and potential profitability.

Topping the list, Syracuse, NY, and Rochester, NY, demonstrate robust year-over-year rent increases of 6.2% and 5.2%, respectively. Home prices in these cities are forecasted to outpace rental growth, signaling stronger appreciation prospects. Investors in these markets may find themselves benefiting from immediate rental income boosts and favorable long-term equity gains.

Other standout cities include Providence, RI, and Worcester, MA, with rents climbing by 5.9% and 6.4%, respectively. While home price appreciation is slightly trailing rent growth in these locations, their sustained upward trajectory suggests a solid environment for consistent returns and property value stability.

Interestingly, even markets showing modest rent growth like Knoxville, TN, and Charleston, SC, with annual rent increases of 3.5% and 3.4%, still offer attractive opportunities due to their consistent rental demand and modest home price appreciation, ensuring stability for landlords and property managers.

This data indicates not only where investors might find stable cash flows but also where property managers can expect strong demand and steady growth. As these markets continue their positive trends, stakeholders who strategically position themselves now could reap substantial rewards in the near future.

Housing Market Analysis

24 Markets With Rising Rents and Positive Housing Market Forecast

Based on data from Zillow • Through May 2025

Metro	Avg Rent	Monthly	Annual	Home Price	Forecast	HP>Rent
Rochester, NY	$1,558	0.2%	5.2%	5.3%	2.2%	Yes
Syracuse, NY	$1,686	0.3%	6.2%	6.7%	2.1%	Yes
Knoxville, TN	$1,892	0.2%	3.5%	1.4%	2.6%	No
New Haven, CT	$2,154	0.6%	5.3%	4.1%	1.5%	No
Buffalo, NY	$1,402	0.3%	3.5%	3.5%	1.4%	No
Albuquerque, NM	$1,628	0.3%	3.2%	2.4%	1.3%	No
Hartford, CT	$1,954	0.8%	5.2%	4.5%	1.1%	No
McAllen, TX	$1,236	1.0%	1.5%	-1.0%	0.9%	No
El Paso, TX	$1,614	0.8%	3.0%	1.1%	0.9%	No
Bridgeport, CT	$2,878	0.6%	5.8%	2.3%	0.9%	No
Allentown, PA	$1,878	0.3%	4.1%	3.2%	0.8%	No
Bakersfield, CA	$1,874	0.2%	3.4%	2.6%	0.8%	No
Charleston, SC	$2,064	0.7%	3.4%	0.4%	0.7%	No
Providence, RI	$2,235	1.4%	5.9%	4.5%	0.6%	No
Cleveland, OH	$1,479	0.5%	5.9%	4.9%	0.6%	No
Worcester, MA	$2,207	0.3%	6.4%	3.7%	0.5%	No
Charlotte, NC	$1,810	0.3%	2.4%	-0.4%	0.5%	No
Winston, NC	$1,684	0.7%	6.3%	1.0%	0.4%	No
Harrisburg, PA	$1,482	0.1%	4.3%	3.3%	0.3%	No
Columbia, SC	$1,585	0.7%	6.2%	1.8%	0.2%	No
Albany, NY	$1,658	0.3%	4.7%	4.0%	0.2%	No
Grand Rapids, MI	$1,700	0.8%	4.3%	3.4%	0.1%	No
Indianapolis, IN	$1,613	0.5%	5.3%	1.9%	0.1%	No
Philadelphia, PA	$1,941	0.2%	3.3%	3.2%	0.1%	No

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