Real estate is an attractive alternative investment for many self-directed IRA investors, but with 50 states and countless cities with diverse markets, how do you know where to start looking for your next, or even first, real estate investment opportunity?
You could stay local, and many investors find success with property in the states that they live in, or you could access data on any real estate market in America to help you expand your opportunities.
Equity Trust offers multiple real estate data reports that provide access to the latest insights to help you start investing with more knowledge.
“Even in today’s high-interest rate environment, the foundational principles of real estate investing still hold true,” says James P. Schlimmer, SVP, Real Estate Growth Officer at Equity Trust Company. “The right investment opportunity can exist now just as it did in lower-rate years—what matters is your approach. Speaking to experts in the area, negotiating in good faith, and making your decisions based on the latest data can increase your chances of a successful investment.”
Using these reports, here’s a look at the key data in five states with active real estate markets.
5 popular states for real estate investing
Florida
At a Glance:
- Median List Price: $508,543
- Median Days on Market: 77
- Inventory: 105,970
- Median Rent: $2,695
The Details:
Florida, like multiple states in the South, has seen some of the highest population growth in the country due to a combination of domestic and international migration, as well as a natural increase. Between 2023 and 2024, the state of Florida gained 467,347 new residents.
While Florida’s unemployment rate is currently 3.6% (rising .1% since January 2025), it’s still lower than the national rate of 4.2%.
However, the average homeowner’s insurance rate in Florida is 24% higher than the national average, though some carriers have been decreasing rates. These rates are caused in part by severe weather events, high reinsurance costs, and a large percentage of insurance claims resulting in litigation.
Ohio
At a Glance:
- Median List Price: $299,900
- Median Days on Market: 35
- Inventory: 12,747
- Median Rent: $1,550
The Details:
While the state of Ohio has had minimal growth in the last five years, the almost 12 million-strong population is relatively balanced, with residents aged 25-64 making up 51.22% of the population, demonstrating a substantial working-age base.
Not only are median housing and rental prices 12% lower than the national average, but overall cost of living is 8% lower than the national average. However, unemployment rates are slightly higher than the national average, at 4.9% vs 4.2%.
However, the effective tax rate is one of the highest on this list at 1.35%. And, with the slow population growth, the state could see an aging workforce in the future.
Texas
At a Glance:
- Median List Price: $389,999
- Median Days on Market: 63
- Inventory: 130,293
- Median Rent: $2,200
The Details:
Texas added 562,941 residents to its population from 2023 to 2024, making it the state with the largest growth in the country. It’s also the real estate market with the most inventory available, making it easier to enter than some other markets.
While the cost of living is, on average, 5% lower than the national average, the cost of utilities is 1% higher than the average, with high summer temperatures and a deregulated electricity market being among the possible causes. The effective property tax rate is also among the highest on this list at 1.36%.
California
At a Glance:
- Median List Price: $825,888
- Median Days on Market: 42
- Inventory: 54,875
- Median Rent: $3,500
The Details:
California’s median list price is the highest on this list, and housing costs are 116% percent higher than the national average. California’s total cost of living in general is 50% higher than the national average, although the effective property tax rate is among the lowest on this list at .69%.
Despite the high cost of living and barrier of entry into the real estate market, investors may still find opportunities in California. The state’s vacancy rate sits at 4.8%, which is lower than the national rate of 7.1%. The California real estate market also has one of the lowest median days on market on this list at 42 days.
North Carolina
At a Glance:
- Median List Price: $440,000
- Median Days on Market: 49
- Inventory: 31,915
- Median Rent: $1,900
The Details:
While the average cost of living in North Carolina is on par with the national average, it fluctuates depending on the category when you take a deeper dive. For example, housing costs 14% less than the national average, while healthcare costs 4% more and non-essential purchases such as entertainment and clothing costs 14% more.
However, the unemployment rate is also .5% lower than the national average at 3.7%. The property tax rate is the lowest on this list at .62%. Rental vacancy rate is also lower than the national average, which is 6.4% and 7.1% respectively.
Explore more real estate data
Looking for more real estate data in these or other markets? Check out our selection of data reports. These reports can be customized to pinpoint national and local trends and tailored to your area of interest. Choose from:
- Foreclosure Reports
- Single-Family Rental Insights
- Smart-Tracker Property Report
- Free Weekly Market Reports
Data in this article was sourced from Altos Research, which also powers our free Weekly Market Reports.
View the entire collection of reports and become a better-informed real estate investor.
