Aerial view of Port St. Lucie, Fla.

As the rental market surges, investors are looking to extend their portfolios. Many investors are mom-and-pop investors, who own one or two properties. But where can rental investments offer the biggest returns over the long term?

SmartAsset, a personal finance resource, analyzed 120 U.S. cities with populations of 200,000 or more to determine which markets pose the most favorable home investments. They factored in housing affordability and rental opportunities.

Rental markets in Florida dominated the list, with five cities making it into the top 20. Overall, Southern and Western states tend to offer the highest returns over the long haul, according to the study.

Chart showing rental prices
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