The Best Cities to Buy Land in 2025
December 12, 2024
Investing in land presents a compelling avenue for astute investors looking to broaden their asset portfolio and create sustainable wealth. The appeal of land acquisition lies in the tendency of land values to rise over time, marking it as a stable and reliable investment. Land investing also offers the opportunity to reap tax benefits and generate passive income by leasing the land for agricultural practices or other practical purposes.
Much like any investment, potential land buyers must examine several factors such as location, zoning laws, proximity to necessary infrastructure, and the current market climate. Engaging in comprehensive research and seeking advice from seasoned land investors can guide investors toward making an informed decision that aligns with their financial goals.
This guide explores the best cities to buy land for development and investment in 2025, highlighting where to buy land in the US to maximize growth potential and long-term returns, as reported by the Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2025 report by the Urban Land Institute and PwC. The insights in this report come from 1,260 survey responses and nearly 600 interviews with a broad spectrum of industry participants, including investors, fund managers, developers, property firms, lenders, brokers, and advisors.
These findings are further enhanced with data from Crexi Intelligence and other industry sources, providing a comprehensive understanding of these markets' potential return on investment. Highlighting ten of the best cities for land investments in 2025, this guide explores markets poised for growth, redevelopment, and long-term returns.
10 Top Cities for Land Investing in 2025
Land investing is gaining traction among investors, positioning it as a valuable component for their 2025 investment portfolios. With comprehensive research and careful due diligence, one can spot cities with solid potential for land value growth. The following cities represent some of the best locations to invest in land, offering a combination of economic stability, population growth, and development opportunities.
1. Austin
Austin ranks among the top US cities for land investments, driven by its tech industry boom and sustainable development opportunities. Despite recent challenges in the housing market, the city’s employment growth of 2.3% year-to-date and unemployment rate below the national average reflect a robust job market.
Population growth has heightened demand for housing and land, with property values appreciating over time. As a tech hub attracting companies like Apple, Tesla, and Oracle, Austin draws a skilled workforce in need of residential and commercial properties. The city’s focus on sustainable development creates opportunities for eco-friendly redevelopment, especially in neighborhoods like South Congress.
Infrastructure projects such as the Project Connect transit plan also aim to enhance connectivity and accessibility, driving further property value increases.
Crexi Intelligence Austin Land Trends
For Sale (active)
- Asking sale price (median): $1.8 million
- Price/SqFt: $470
- Median SqFt: 4,913
- Price/Acre: $500,000
- Median acreage/listing: 3
- Total listings: 206
- Days on market: 259
Sales Comps (past 12 months)
- Median sales price: $726,800
- Sold price/SqFt: $117
- Sold price/acre: $504,100
- Total acres sold: 107
- Total sales volume: $746 million
- Days on market: 121
2. Raleigh/Durham
Raleigh/Durham is among the top US markets for land investments in 2025, offering innovation-driven growth, a thriving job market, and redevelopment potential. The area’s proximity to Research Triangle Park, a major tech hub, enhances its appeal, attracting a skilled workforce and fostering innovation.
Notably, redevelopment initiatives, such as the proposed $1 billion development around Raleigh’s Lenovo Center, are set to revitalize key areas, presenting lucrative opportunities for investors. Additionally, the region’s temperate climate supports year-round development activities, making it an attractive choice for land investment.
Crexi Intelligence Raleigh Land Trends
For Sale (active)
- Asking sale price (median): $1.2 million
- Price/SqFt: $23
- Median SqFt: 216,200
- Price/Acre: $409,000
- Median acreage/listing: 2
- Total listings: 43
- Days on market: 423
Sales Comps (past 12 months)
- Median sales price: $640,000
- Sold price/SqFt: $97
- Sold price/acre: $235,400
- Total acres sold: 49
- Total sales volume: $13.4 million
- Days on market: 446
Crexi Intelligence Durham Land Trends
For Sale (active)
- Asking sale price (median): $1.5 million
- Price/SqFt: $23
- Median SqFt: 33,000
- Price/Acre: $174,300
- Median acreage/listing: 4
- Total listings: 57
- Days on market: 220
Sales Comps (past 12 months)
- Median sales price: $426,000
- Sold price/SqFt: $9
- Sold price/acre: $138,800
- Total acres sold: 85
- Total sales volume: $17.4 million
- Days on market: 275
3. San Antonio
San Antonio combines historical charm and modern growth, making it one of the most attractive cities for land investments in 2025. The city’s vibrant River Walk, a network of walkways along the San Antonio River, is a bustling area filled with restaurants, shops, and attractions, drawing both tourists and locals alike.
Home to numerous universities, San Antonio benefits from a youthful and intellectually vibrant atmosphere. Recent economic growth has spurred significant investments in housing and redevelopment projects across the city, offering a variety of opportunities for potential investors.
San Antonio’s dedication to preserving its heritage while fostering growth and innovation creates a dynamic environment conducive to land investment.
Crexi Intelligence San Antonio Land Trends
For Sale (active)
- Asking sale price (median): $999,3000
- Price/SqFt: $176
- Median SqFt: 11,500
- Price/Acre: $306,400
- Median acreage/listing: 3
- Total listings: 486
- Days on market: 363
Sales Comps (past 12 months)
- Median sales price: $367,100
- Sold price/SqFt: $9
- Sold price/acre: $3,369
- Total acres sold: 13.5
- Total sales volume: $62.1 million
- Days on market: 422
4. Nashville
Nashville's land market presents a compelling investment opportunity for 2025, driven by robust economic growth, a thriving cultural scene, and significant corporate investments. Despite higher rates, the city's economy has shown resilience, with a five-month housing supply offering buyers increased options and negotiating power.
Its vibrant cultural scene and strategic location further enhance Nashville's appeal, attracting a diverse population and fostering a dynamic real estate environment. Major corporations, including Oracle, have announced significant investments, with Oracle designating its planned Nashville campus as its world headquarters, underscoring the city's growing prominence in the tech industry. Additionally, the development of Nashville Yards, an 18-acre mixed-use project, is set to transform the downtown area, offering over 3 million square feet of office space and 2,000 residential units, thereby enhancing the city's infrastructure and investment potential.
Crexi Intelligence Nashville Land Trends
For Sale (active)
- Asking sale price (median): $1.7 million
- Price/SqFt: $263
- Median SqFt: 4,720
- Price/Acre: $391,400
- Median acreage/listing: 2
- Total listings: 117
- Days on market: 187
Sales Comps (past 12 months)
- Median sales price: $492,800
- Sold price/SqFt: $133
- Sold price/acre: $88,500
- Total acres sold: 2,865
- Total sales volume: $581.5 million
- Days on market: 426
5. Phoenix
For those wondering where to buy land for long-term investment, Phoenix offers robust appreciation potential, fueled by its expanding population and infrastructure projects. The city is experiencing a manufacturing boom, notably with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s $65 billion chip fabrication complex, attracting substantial property investments in surrounding areas.
Additionally, the planned $7 billion ‘city within a city’ near TSMC’s facility is set to include hotels, residential areas, and educational facilities, further enhancing the region’s appeal. The housing market remains robust, with a median home price of $446,000 as of September 2024, reflecting a 1.4% year-over-year increase and indicating steady appreciation. Phoenix’s population growth continues to drive demand for housing, with the metro area’s population surpassing 5 million, reinforcing the city’s status as a thriving urban center.
Crexi Intelligence Phoenix Land Trends
For Sale (active)
- Asking sale price (median): $1.5 million
- Price/SqFt: $175
- Median SqFt: 33,300
- Price/Acre: $549,000
- Median acreage/listing: 3
- Total listings: 171
- Days on market: 291
Sales Comps (past 12 months)
- Median sales price: $698,500
- Sold price/SqFt: $173
- Sold price/acre: $1 million
- Total acres sold: 450
- Total sales volume: $636.7 million
- Days on market: 378
6. Tampa/St. Petersburg
The Tampa/St. Petersburg market's population has been steadily increasing in the last few years, with the metropolitan area adding over 51,000 residents between 2022 and 2023, ranking it among the top US metro areas for numeric growth. This influx has bolstered the local economy, which boasts an unemployment rate of 3.6% as of the second quarter of 2024, reflecting a strong labor market.
Investors in Tampa-St. Petersburg can capitalize on waterfront properties, ideal for residential development or short-term rental income, though recent damages from 2024’s hurricane season have had a slowing impact on investor interest. Notably, the planned $1.3 billion stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays, part of a larger $6.5 billion redevelopment of St. Petersburg’s Historic Gas Plant District, is set to transform the downtown area with new housing, retail, and entertainment options, significantly boosting property values.
Crexi Intelligence Tampa Land Trends
For Sale (active)
- Asking sale price (median): $1 million
- Price/SqFt: $271
- Median SqFt: 5,316
- Price/Acre: $666,700
- Median acreage/listing: 1
- Total listings: 87
- Days on market: 237
Sales Comps (past 12 months)
- Median sales price: $521,600
- Sold price/SqFt: $116
- Sold price/acre: $746,400
- Total acres sold: 224
- Total sales volume: $71.9 million
- Days on market: 308
Crexi Intelligence St. Petersburg Land Trends
For Sale (active)
- Asking sale price (median): $950,000
- Price/SqFt: $676
- Median SqFt: 15,700
- Price/Acre: $536,200
- Median acreage/listing: 1
- Total listings: 18
- Days on market: 244
Sales Comps (past 12 months)
- Median sales price: $1.2 million
- Sold price/SqFt: $279
- Sold price/acre: $159,000
- Total acres sold: 79
- Total sales volume: $1.36 billion
- Days on market: 550
7. Boise
Boise, Idaho, presents a compelling opportunity for land real estate investment in 2025 due to its robust market dynamics and growth projections. The city's real estate market features a low foreclosure rate and consistent home price appreciation, making it attractive for investors seeking predictability.
In March 2024, Boise's median listing home price was $579,000, reflecting a 7.2% year-over-year increase, with a median price per square foot of $316. Boise's population growth has also significantly contributed to housing demand, further bolstering the real estate market. Notably, projections indicate that if current growth rates persist, Boise's median home prices could surpass $1 million by 2033, underscoring the city's long-term investment potential.
Crexi Intelligence Boise Land Trends
For Sale (active)
- Asking sale price (median): $1.3 million
- Price/SqFt: $42
- Median SqFt: 37,800
- Price/Acre: $691,900
- Median acreage/listing: 3
- Total listings: 57
- Days on market: 270
Sales Comps (past 12 months)
- Median sales price: $252,700
- Sold price/SqFt: $3
- Sold price/acre: $45,300
- Total acres sold: 107
- Total sales volume: $17.3 million
- Days on market: 42
8. Charlotte
Economic stability supports resilient real estate markets, making cities like Charlotte ideal for long-term land investments. The city has experienced a significant surge in home values, increasing over 120% since 2014, indicating a strong appreciation trend.
Charlotte's rental market is thriving, fueled by an influx of young professionals and families, which presents lucrative investment opportunities. Its diverse economy, encompassing the finance, technology, and manufacturing sectors, contributes to its resilience and attractiveness for real estate ventures, complemented by a rich talent pool from universities like UNC Charlotte. Furthermore, Charlotte's strategic location and quality of life continue to draw new residents, sustaining demand for housing and supporting long-term investment potential.
Crexi Intelligence Charlotte Land Trends
For Sale (active)
- Asking sale price (median): $1.2 million
- Price/SqFt: $1,01
- Median SqFt: 3,393
- Price/Acre: $477,700
- Median acreage/listing: 2
- Total listings: 110
- Days on market: 275
Sales Comps (past 12 months)
- Median sales price: $763,800
- Sold price/SqFt: $221
- Sold price/acre: $205,600
- Total acres sold: 176
- Total sales volume: $177.8 million
- Days on market: 687
9. Dallas
The Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex is home to 23 Fortune 500 companies, including Exxon Mobil and American Airlines, highlighting its diverse economy across technology, healthcare, and financial services. DFW's employment has increased by over 11% since February 2020, reflecting a strong job market attracting businesses and investors.
The area's strategic central location offers easy access to major markets nationwide, enhancing its appeal. Additionally, DFW's population surpassed 8 million in 2023, with a growth rate of 1.9%, indicating sustained demand for housing and commercial development. Urban development initiatives, such as the $1.6 billion renovation of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, including the construction of Terminal F, further bolster the region's infrastructure and investment potential.
Crexi Intelligence Dallas Land Trends
For Sale (active)
- Asking sale price (median): $1.1 million
- Price/SqFt: $5
- Median SqFt: 17,100
- Price/Acre: $373,500
- Median acreage/listing: 3
- Total listings: 289
- Days on market: 472
Sales Comps (past 12 months)
- Median sales price: $323,500
- Sold price/SqFt: $61
- Sold price/acre: $138,900
- Total acres sold: 421
- Total sales volume: $329.4 million
- Days on market: 305
10. Atlanta
In June 2024, Atlanta, Georgia's median home price was $435,000, marking a 4.8% year-over-year increase and indicating a healthy appreciation trend. Atlanta's diverse economy, featuring a thriving tech sector and numerous Fortune 500 company headquarters, continues attracting a growing population, sustaining demand for housing and commercial spaces. Notably, the city's rental market is experiencing significant growth, with rents climbing in various neighborhoods, presenting lucrative opportunities for investors.
Crexi Intelligence Atlanta Land Trends
For Sale (active)
- Asking sale price (median): $1 million
- Price/SqFt: $302
- Median SqFt: 11,800
- Price/Acre: $340,900
- Median acreage/listing: 2
- Total listings: 147
- Days on market: 230
Sales Comps (past 12 months)
- Median sales price: $409,000
- Sold price/SqFt: $59
- Sold price/acre: $498,600
- Total acres sold: 122
- Total sales volume: $82.1 million
- Days on market: 123
For investors focused on where to buy land for development, cities like Austin and Phoenix lead the pack, while Raleigh and Tampa offer promising options for long-term appreciation and growth. Whether you’re seeking affordable cities to buy land or looking for markets with the best potential for land appreciation, these top US cities offer a range of opportunities for investors.
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