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8 worst states to invest in real estate in 2026
Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Stacker , KVIA ABC-7
· July 21, 2026
· 9 min read
Buy the same property at the same price with the same tenant in two different states, and you’ll end up with two completely different investments. Property taxes, insurance costs, eviction timelines, and rent control laws vary enough from state to state that location alone can determine whether a...
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Summary created by The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Stacker, KVIA ABC-7 Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 21, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Property taxes, insurance costs, eviction timelines, and rent control laws vary enough from state to state that location alone can determine whether a deal makes money or bleeds it.
Why this matters in The El Paso
For El Paso investors, the ranking of worst states to invest in real estate serves as a cautionary tale when considering out-of-state investments. While Texas as a whole may not be on the list, the factors that contribute to a state's ranking, such as effective property tax rates and rent control laws, can vary significantly within the state. El Paso County's own property tax rates and local ordinances may be more favorable to investors than other parts of Texas, making it a relatively more attractive option for local real estate investment. Additionally, El Paso's unique job market, driven by its proximity to the US-Mexico border and the presence of Fort Bliss, can impact population and job market trajectories, making it essential for investors to carefully consider these factors when evaluating potential investments, both in and out of state. Local investors should scrutinize these factors closely.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 21, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 9 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Buy the same property at the same price with the same tenant in two different states, and you’ll end up with two completely different investments. Property taxes, insurance costs, eviction timelines, and rent control laws vary enough from state to state that location alone can determine whether a...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stacker at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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