If you’re a homeowner thinking about your next move, you’ve probably noticed the market doesn’t look anything like it did a few years ago. Rates are higher. Prices in some places have leveled out. And a lot of people who planned to sell are now wondering if that’s actually the right call.
It’s led to a very reasonable question:
“Would I be better off renting out my home instead?”
For many markets in 2026, the answer is yes. Renting isn’t just something investors do. Regular homeowners are starting to treat it as a smart way to protect their equity and keep their options open.
Here’s a simple breakdown of where renting often makes more sense than selling, and why.
1. Cities that are still seeing strong population growth
Some cities continue to attract people from all over the country. Job opportunities, affordability and lifestyle improvements keep pulling people in, and when a city grows, rental demand grows with it.
Markets like:
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Nashville
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Charlotte
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Raleigh
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Dallas
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Salt Lake City
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Columbus
Homes in these areas usually rent quickly and stay occupied. That steady demand creates healthy, predictable rental income. If you live in one of these cities, holding your home as a rental can be a smart long-term move.
2. Places where sale prices flattened but rents kept rising
A handful of cities aren’t seeing the big price jumps anymore. Prices aren’t falling dramatically, but they’re also not moving much. Rents, on the other hand, have continued to rise because renters still outnumber available homes.
Examples include:
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Cincinnati
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Cleveland
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St. Louis
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Memphis
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Tulsa
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Oklahoma City
In these areas, the rental return can often outpace what you’d gain from selling. If your goal is to build long-term wealth, keeping the home and renting it out can be a better path.
3. Affordable markets with strong rental returns
There are also cities where the numbers just line up well. Home prices are reasonable, rents are steady and the overall return is strong without needing a ton of complicated math.
Cities like:
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Huntsville
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Lexington
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Detroit
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Columbus
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Parts of the Phoenix suburbs
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Certain neighborhoods in Tampa and Orlando
Investors love these areas for a reason. But a homeowner can benefit from those same market fundamentals without becoming a full-time landlord.
4. Markets where keeping your low interest rate matters
One of the biggest reasons homeowners choose to rent instead of sell has nothing to do with rent prices. It has to do with their mortgage rate.
If you locked in a rate in the twos or threes, you’re holding something incredibly valuable. Giving that up by selling can make your next move more expensive than it needs to be.
This is especially common in:
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Midwest suburbs
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Fast-growing Southeast metros
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Sun Belt communities
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Areas where homeowners refinanced during low-rate years
Renting lets you keep the house, keep the rate and let the home keep appreciating while you move on to whatever comes next.
5. Cities where renters prefer single-family homes over apartments
There’s been a noticeable shift in renter preferences. More people want the space and privacy of a home, but they still want the convenience of professional management.
These renters show up consistently in:
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Atlanta
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Charlotte
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Denver
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Minneapolis suburbs
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Seattle suburbs
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Dallas Fort Worth
If your home is in one of these areas, renting it out can be straightforward and in high demand, especially with the right management team.
How to know if renting makes more sense for you
Here’s a quick way to think about it.
Renting might be the stronger choice if:
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Rent would cover the mortgage and most expenses
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You want to keep your low interest rate
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Your home is in good condition
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You believe in your city’s long-term growth
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You don’t love the idea of selling in a flat or uncertain market
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You want to keep the option of moving back or selling later
For a lot of homeowners, the choice comes down to flexibility and long-term value.
Where Marketplace Homes can help
If you’re unsure what renting would actually look like for your home, we can help you walk through the numbers. Some people want long-term income. Others just want enough stability to make their next move without worrying.
Marketplace Homes also offers Guaranteed Programs that can take a lot of the stress out of renting. If the idea of finding a tenant or dealing with vacancy makes you uneasy, we can talk through options that provide more predictability.
Our goal is always the same: help you make a decision that feels good both now and five years from now.
Final thoughts
If you’re moving in 2026, don’t assume selling is your only path. Renting your home can create financial breathing room, long-term growth and a smoother transition into your next chapter.
And if you’d like someone to walk through the numbers with you, Marketplace Homes is here to help in a way that’s clear, calm and genuinely useful.