The 50 Best Cities in the U.S. for Flipping a House

woman handing keys to another woman, downsizing your home — Shutterstock

House flipping is not for wimps. You need to be comfortable taking risks with a significant chunk of cash, know the right people (whether contractors or real estate agents), and—most important—have a keen eye for spotting where there is opportunity for a flip. There are many factors that help make an area ideal for house flipping, from home prices and property taxes, to the local population growth, to the specific types of homes that are getting bought up. While expert house-flippers can isolate their search for properties down to the individual street, bigger-picture data can also help to paint a picture of which specific cities are most desirable for someone looking to invest in house-flipping.

With this in mind, we've distilled the available data on the biggest metropolitan areas to determine the best cities to buy a house, renovate it, and put it back on the market. If you're just looking to settle down yourself, however, you'll probably be more interested in our list of The 100 Happiest Cities in America.

To determine these rankings, we took into account the following main data points.

Change in Home Prices, Year-Over-Year (15%) – determined by real estate service Trulia
Percent of Flips in 2016 (15%) – per Trulia
Three-Year Population Growth Rate (10%) – from 2013 to 2016, per U.S. Census
Overall Housing Grade (20%) – per neighborhood data analysts Niche
Market Potential Rank (out of 150) (20%) – per credit report service WalletHub
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150) (20%)– per WalletHub

50 Cincinnati, OH

Cincinnati, drunkest cities, best singles scenes

2016 Home Prices Change: 3.40% Percent of Flips: 5.50% Three-Year Growth Rate: 0.46% Niche Overall Grade: A- Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 99.99 Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 80House-Flipping Score: 43.37

49 Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis, drunkest cities, fattest cities, house flip — Shutterstock

Home Prices Change: 3.60%
Percent of Flips: 3.50%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 1.38%
Niche Overall Grade: A-
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 139
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 31
House-Flipping Score: 44.80

48 Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield, drunkest cities, worst singles scenes, house flip

Home Prices Change: 2.50%
Percent of Flips: 6.70%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 3.56%
Niche Overall Grade: B
Market Potential Rank (out of 150):: 84
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 130
House-Flipping Score: 44.80

You'll most likely need to save up quite a bit before you're ready to flip your first house—here are 14 money-saving habits you should definitely adopt.

47 Providence, RI

Providence, longest-living cities, drunkest cities, best singles scenes, house flip

Home Prices Change: 4.00%
Percent of Flips: 5.80%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 0.46%
Niche Overall Grade: A
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 44
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 98
House-Flipping Score: 44.96

46 Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Beach, happiest cities, fittest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, house flip

Home Prices Change: 1.80%
Percent of Flips: 7.00%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 0.89%
Niche Overall Grade: A
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 18
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 70
House-Flipping Score: 45.70

For more beach magic, check out 9 of the World's Greatest Beach Vacations.

45 Boston, MA

Boston, fittest cities, drunkest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, house flip

Home Prices Change: 5.20%
Percent of Flips: 5.00%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 3.39%
Niche Overall Grade: B+
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 89
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 148
House-Flipping Score: 46.26

If you're looking to get fit, look no further than Boston: It tops the list of The 50 Fittest Cities in America.

44 Tulsa, OK

fattest cities, drunkest cities, house flip

Home Prices Change: 2.10%
Percent of Flips: 6.20%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 1.16%
Niche Overall Grade: B+
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 26
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 14
House-Flipping Score: 46.96

43 Memphis, TN

fattest cities, house flip — Shutterstock

Home Prices Change: 3.40%
Percent of Flips: 8.20%
Three-Year Growth Rate: -0.75%
Niche Overall Grade: B
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 2
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 40
House-Flipping Score: 47.04

42 Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, house flip — Shutterstock

Home Prices Change: 4.50%
Percent of Flips: 5.10%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 3.38%
Niche Overall Grade: A
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 72
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 119
House-Flipping Score: 48.97

41 Madison, WI

Madison, longest-living cities, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion, house flip — Shutterstock

Home Prices Change: 4.50%
Percent of Flips: 4.20%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 3.83%
Niche Overall Grade: A+
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 92
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 115
House-Flipping Score: 49.32

40 Winston–Salem, NC

Winston-Salem, drunkest cities, fattest cities, longest-living cities, house flip — Shutterstock

Home Prices Change: 2.90%
Percent of Flips: 6.10%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 2.52%
Niche Overall Grade: A-
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 22
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 55
House-Flipping Score: 49.36

39 Riverside, CA

Riverside, happiest cities, worst singles scenes, best for house flip

Home Prices Change: 5.20%
Percent of Flips: 6.40%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 2.73%
Niche Overall Grade: B+
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 99
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 108
House-Flipping Score: 50.39

38 Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles, happiest cities, best singles scenes, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 6.000%
Percent of Flips: 7.300%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 2.21%
Niche Overall Grade: B+
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 131
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 140
House-Flipping Score: 50.59

37 New Orleans, LA

fattest cities, drunkest cities, best singles scenes, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 5.30%
Percent of Flips: 3.50%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 3.33%
Niche Overall Grade: B+
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 7
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 38
House-Flipping Score: 50.72

36 San Jose, CA

San Jose, happiest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, worst singles scenes, flip a house — Shutterstock

Home Prices Change: 7.80%
Percent of Flips: 5.20%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 2.37%
Niche Overall Grade: A-
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 144
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 146
House-Flipping Score: 50.92

35 Fresno, CA

Home Prices Change: 4.500%
Percent of Flips: 8.200%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 2.57%
Niche Overall Grade: B
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 46
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 100
House-Flipping Score: 51.84

34 Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fattest cities, best cities to buy a mansion, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 3.40%
Percent of Flips: 3.60%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 4.48%
Niche Overall Grade: A-
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 30
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 15
House-Flipping Score: 51.93

33 San Diego, CA

San Diego, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 5.80%
Percent of Flips: 5.80%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 3.56%
Niche Overall Grade: A
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 113
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 132
House-Flipping Score: 52.45

Greensboro, NC

Greensboro, drunkest cities, happiest cities, fattest cities, longest-living cities, best singles scenes, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 4.10%
Percent of Flips: 5.30%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 2.63%
Niche Overall Grade: A
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 48
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 11
House-Flipping Score: 53.29

31 Richmond, VA

Richmond, fattest cities, best singles scenes, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 3.80%
Percent of Flips: 7.40%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 4.43%
Niche Overall Grade: B+
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 19
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 102
House-Flipping Score: 53.45

30 Oakland, CA

Oakland, happiest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 8.40%
Percent of Flips: 5.30%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 3.14%
Niche Overall Grade: A-
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 141
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 143
House-Flipping Score: 54.06

29 San Francisco, CA

San Francisco, drunkest cities, happiest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 8.50%
Percent of Flips: 3.90%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 3.77%
Niche Overall Grade: A+
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 142
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 150
House-Flipping Score: 54.24

28 Knoxville, TN

Knoxville, fattest cities, drunkest cities, longest-living cities, best singles scenes, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 3.30%
Percent of Flips: 7.60%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 1.94%
Niche Overall Grade: B+
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 21
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 4
House-Flipping Score: 54.41

27 Washington D.C.

Washington DC, D.C., drunkest cities, happiest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, flip a house — Shutterstock

Home Prices Change: 3.40%
Percent of Flips: 6.70%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 4.93%
Niche Overall Grade: A
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 81
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 99
House-Flipping Score: 54.41

26 Tucson, AZ

Tucson, drunkest cities, flip a house — Shutterstock

Home Prices Change: 4.60%
Percent of Flips: 7.40%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 0.87%
Niche Overall Grade: A-
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 68
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 17
House-Flipping Score: 54.56

25 Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City, drunkest cities, happiest cities, fittest cities, best singles scenes, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 6.80%
Percent of Flips: 5.50%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 1.21%
Niche Overall Grade: A+
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 126
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 64
House-Flipping Score: 54.66

24 Kansas City, MO

Kansas city, fattest cities, drunkest cities, best cities to buy a mansion, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 5.30%
Percent of Flips: 4.90%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 3.06%
Niche Overall Grade: A
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 120
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 39
House-Flipping Score: 54.84

23 Dallas, TX

Dallas, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fattest cities, best cities to buy a mansion, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 9.10%
Percent of Flips: 2.80%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 4.76%
Niche Overall Grade: A-
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 112
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 112
House-Flipping Score: 55.78

22 Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids, longest-living cities, drunkest cities, happiest cities, fattest cities, best singles scenes, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 7.30%
Percent of Flips: 4.40%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 1.82%
Niche Overall Grade: A
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 25
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 29
House-Flipping Score: 56.09

21 Columbus, OH

Columbus, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fattest cities, best cities to buy a mansion, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 5.30%
Percent of Flips: 5.30%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 4.27%
Niche Overall Grade: A-
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 52
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 52
House-Flipping Score: 56.23

20 San Antonio, TX

San Antonio, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fattest cities, best cities to buy a mansion, flip a house — iStock

Home Prices Change: 5.70%
Percent of Flips: 4.70%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 5.73%
Niche Overall Grade: A-
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 145
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 24
House-Flipping Score: 60.56

19 Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth, happiest cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion, flip a house — Shutterstock

Home Prices Change: 8.10%
Percent of Flips: 2.10%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 7.30%
Niche Overall Grade: B+
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 136
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 43
House-Flipping Score: 61.05

18 Atlanta, GA

Atlanta, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion, flip a house — Shutterstock

Home Prices Change: 6.50%
Percent of Flips: 7.90%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 5.50%
Niche Overall Grade: A
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 32
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 141
House-Flipping Score: 61.38

17 Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs, longest-living cities, drunkest cities, happiest cities, healthiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 5.90%
Percent of Flips: 5.40%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 5.47%
Niche Overall Grade: A
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 51
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 46
House-Flipping Score: 61.44

16 Raleigh, NC

Raleigh, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 5.70%
Percent of Flips: 4.60%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 6.35%
Niche Overall Grade: A+
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 104
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 45
House-Flipping Score: 62.23

15 Charlotte, NC

Charlotte, happiest cities, longest-living cities, healthiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 6.40%
Percent of Flips: 5.80%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 6.20%
Niche Overall Grade: A
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 64
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 75
House-Flipping Score: 62.75

14 Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville, fattest cities, drunkest cities, flip a house — Shutterstock

Home Prices Change: 7.80%
Percent of Flips: 7.40%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 4.39%
Niche Overall Grade: B+
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 14
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 69
House-Flipping Score: 63.57

13 Austin, TX

Austin, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 7.90%
Percent of Flips: 3.40%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 7.06%
Niche Overall Grade: A+
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 146
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 65
House-Flipping Score: 64.30

12 Fort Lauderdale, FL

Fort Lauderdale, drunkest cities, happiest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, flip a house — Shutterstock

Home Prices Change: 7.60%
Percent of Flips: 8.00%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 3.59%
Niche Overall Grade: A-
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 49
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 58
House-Flipping Score: 64.49

11 Tacoma, WA

Tacoma, drunkest cities, happiest cities, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 9.30%
Percent of Flips: 7.60%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 4.21%
Niche Overall Grade: B+
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 23
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 81
House-Flipping Score: 65.81

10 Portland, OR

Portland, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 11.00%
Percent of Flips: 5.70%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 5.05%
Niche Overall Grade: A
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 82
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 126
House-Flipping Score: 66.04

9 Miami, FL

miami fittest cities, flip a house — Shutterstock

Home Prices Change: 8.80%
Percent of Flips: 6.90%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 7.69%
Niche Overall Grade: B
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 91
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 87
House-Flipping Score: 68.92

8 Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, happiest cities, best cities to buy a mansion, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 6.70%
Percent of Flips: 7.30%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 5.86%
Niche Overall Grade: A
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 61
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 22
House-Flipping Score: 69.22

7 Nashville, TN

Nashville, happiest cities, fattest cities, longest-living cities, best singles scenes, rent, property — Shutterstock

Home Prices Change: 8.20%
Percent of Flips: 8.10%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 4.02%
Niche Overall Grade: A-
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 56
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 12
House-Flipping Score: 69.81

6 Seattle, WA

Seattle, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, best singles scenes, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 10.90%
Percent of Flips: 5.20%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 7.85%
Niche Overall Grade: A+
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 41
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 128
House-Flipping Score: 71.34

5 Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas, happiest cities, drunkest cities, flip a house — Shutterstock

Home Prices Change: 6.90%
Percent of Flips: 10.50%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 5.00%
Niche Overall Grade: B+
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 90
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 25
House-Flipping Score: 72.08

In case you'd like to do more than just invest in houses while you're in the area, here's the easiest way to double your money in Vegas.

4 Cape Coral, FL

Cape Coral, happiest cities, longest-living cities, worst singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion, flip a house — Shutterstock

Home Prices Change: 9.40%
Percent of Flips: 6.00%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 8.90%
Niche Overall Grade: B+
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 98
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 71
House-Flipping Score: 72.81

3 Denver, CO

Denver, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, best singles scenes, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 10.40%
Percent of Flips: 5.80%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 7.05%
Niche Overall Grade: A
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 111
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 50
House-Flipping Score: 74.09

2 Orlando, FL

Orlando, happiest cities, drunkest cities, fittest cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion, flip a house — Shutterstock

Home Prices Change: 8.00%
Percent of Flips: 7.20%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 8.44%
Niche Overall Grade: A
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 29
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 23
House-Flipping Score: 76.73

1 Tampa, FL

Tampa, fittest cities, drunkest cities, healthiest cities, best singles scenes, best cities to buy a mansion, flip a house

Home Prices Change: 8.80%
Percent of Flips: 8.40%
Three-Year Growth Rate: 6.86%
Niche Overall Grade: A
Market Potential Rank (out of 150): 8
Renovation/Remodeling Rank (out of 150): 19
House-Flipping Score: 77.85

Tempted to settle down with your dough in a new mansion? You're in the right place: Florida is home to 5 of The 50 Best Cities in the U.S. for Buying a Mansion.

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Alex Daniel A journalist based in Brooklyn, New York.Read moreFiled UnderCities • HomeRead This Next

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