Best Places To Buy Land

‍Discover the perfect plots for your dreams - our guide to the best land-buying destinations ensures you find the ideal location to call your own.

The best places to buy land are West Virginia, West Texas, Northern Virginia, Pacific Northwest, the Great Smoky Mountains, Gulf Coast, Disney World, and Grand Canyon, among others. These areas have affordable prices, low taxes, and a growing economy.

As an expert in the land market, I've done extensive research in order to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information. I'll delve into the top states to purchase raw land and other noteworthy locations with unique opportunities for land buyers. So, you've come to the right place for guidance on the best places to buy land in the United States.

‍Best Places To Buy Land

When it comes to finding the perfect spot to invest in land, certain locations stand out due to their affordability, recreational opportunities, and value potential. Whether you're interested in farming, developing, or simply escaping city life, these locations offer diverse options for realizing your dream of owning land.

1. West Virginia

This state is known for its affordable land and picturesque landscapes, making it a top pick for nature enthusiasts looking for vacant land in the Appalachian Region or Harpers Ferry.

It offers affordable land prices compared to other regions in the United States. The average price of land per acre in West Virginia is currently around $5,000, making it an attractive option for those looking to invest in land.

In addition, West Virginia has a strong economy and low living costs, making it an attractive place to live and work. It has a diverse economy, with industries ranging from healthcare and education to energy and manufacturing.

This means that there are plenty of opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship in the state.

In addition, it boasts a rich natural landscape with stunning mountains, fertile valleys, and dense forests. This makes it an ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts, with plenty of opportunities for hiking, fishing, hunting, and other recreational activities.

Another advantage of buying land in West Virginia is the state's favorable tax policies. The state has a low property tax rate, which can help reduce land ownership costs over the long term.

In addition, the state offers tax incentives for businesses and individuals who invest in certain areas of the state, which can make buying land in these areas even more attractive.

2. West Texas

West Texas is one of the country's best places to buy land. Firstly, the region offers a wide range of land types and sizes, from small plots to large ranches.

The average price of land per acre in West Texas is currently around $1,800, making it one of the cheapest places for those looking to invest in land.

In addition, West Texas is home to a thriving energy industry, with oil and gas production playing a major role in the region's economy. This has created a strong job market and a growing population, which has led to increased demand for housing and other real estate.

In addition, West Texas is known for its vast natural beauty, with stunning landscapes that include mountains, deserts, and canyons. This makes it an ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts, with plenty of opportunities for mountain biking, hiking, camping, and other recreational activities.

3. Northern Virginia

Northern Virginia boasts a robust and diverse economy fueled by technology, defense, government, and healthcare sectors. The presence of major corporations, government agencies, and research institutions creates a thriving business environment, ensuring long-term growth and stability.

This region benefits from excellent infrastructure, including an extensive network of highways, rail systems, and airports, facilitating convenient travel and efficient transportation of goods. The proximity to major highways and airports enables easy access to national and international markets, enhancing commercial opportunities.

In addition, this is home to prestigious universities, colleges, and research centers that contribute to a highly skilled and educated workforce. This abundance of talent attracts businesses and fosters innovation, making it an ideal location for startups, technology firms, and knowledge-based industries.

Also, this area offers a high standard of living, well-planned communities, a vibrant cultural scene, and abundant recreational opportunities. Residents enjoy access to top-notch healthcare facilities, good schools, shopping centers, parks, and entertainment options, making it an appealing place to settle down and raise a family.

4. Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest is renowned for its stunning scenery, including rugged coastlines, lush forests, majestic mountains, and pristine lakes. The region's natural beauty makes it highly desirable for recreational land, vacation properties, and eco-tourism ventures.

It's home to dynamic great cities like Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver, which have thriving economies driven by technology, aerospace, manufacturing, tourism, and other industries. This robust economic activity provides a stable foundation for land sales and fosters entrepreneurial opportunities.

Additionally,  this region is known for its commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices. There is a growing demand for sustainable development, organic farming, renewable energy projects, and green building practices.

This focus on environmental stewardship opens up good investment possibilities for land with eco-conscious initiatives.

With its abundance of natural resources, the Pacific Northwest offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, camping, skiing, fishing, and boating. Normally, land in proximity to outdoor recreation areas holds great potential for various ventures, such as nature resorts, adventure tourism, or recreational facilities.

5. Great Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is renowned for its breathtaking vistas, cascading waterfalls, and diverse wildlife.

This region's scenic beauty attracts millions of visitors each year, making it an ideal location for land investment in tourism, outdoor recreation, or private retreats. It provides a plethora of recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, camping, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing.

Additionally, the region's extensive trail network and proximity to nature offer endless possibilities for land development catering to outdoor enthusiasts.

Despite its serene natural surroundings, the Great Smoky Mountains region benefits from being within driving distance of major urban centers like Knoxville, Tennessee, and Asheville, North Carolina. This accessibility enhances the potential for year-round tourism, making it a desirable location for businesses and property owners.

In addition, it boasts a rich cultural heritage, with historical sites, museums, arts and crafts communities, and a deep-rooted Appalachian culture. This cultural significance attracts tourists and offers opportunities for land investment in heritage preservation, cultural tourism, or artistic endeavors.

6. Gulf Coast

The Gulf Coast region, stretching along the coastlines of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, offers a multitude of opportunities for land investment.

It's one of the regions with the cheapest land options, renowned for its stunning beaches, picturesque sunsets, and abundant marine life. It's coastal lifestyle and natural beauty make it a desirable destination for land buyers seeking waterfront properties, beachfront developments, or vacation homes.

It provides a wealth of recreational activities, including swimming, fishing, boating, and water sports. Land investments can cater to outdoor enthusiasts by developing marinas, resorts, fishing camps, or beachside recreational facilities.

The Gulf Coast also attracts a significant number of tourists, both domestic and international, seeking beach vacations, cultural experiences, and culinary delights. Investing in land near popular tourist destinations along the Gulf Coast can lead to lucrative hospitality, dining, entertainment, and retail opportunities.

Additionally, the Gulf Coast region has a diverse economy that includes energy, petrochemicals, shipping, aerospace, and tourism sectors. The presence of major industries and ports provides stability and potential for land investments related to industrial or commercial development, logistics, and distribution.

Notably, the price of land per acre along the Gulf Coast varies depending on factors such as location, proximity to the coastline, access to amenities, and specific features. The prices range from approximately $5,000 to $50,000 per acre, with variations based on proximity to urban centers, beachfront views, and development potential.

7. Disney World

Disney World, located in Orlando, Florida, is a world-famous entertainment destination offering unique land purchase prospects.

It’s one of the most recognized and beloved entertainment brands worldwide, attracting millions of visitors annually. Investing in land near Disney World offers the potential to tap into the brand's immense popularity and capitalize on the continuous stream of tourists and visitors.

In addition, Orlando is a major tourist hub, and Disney World is the city's centerpiece attraction. The region benefits from a robust tourism industry, with a steady flow of visitors throughout the year.

Also, Disney World encompasses multiple theme parks, water parks, resort hotels, and entertainment complexes. This diversity of attractions and experiences creates a multi-dimensional investment landscape.

Land buyers have the flexibility to explore various options, such as developing themed accommodations, retail spaces, or entertainment venues.

Disney World's presence also significantly impacts the local economy, generating employment opportunities and contributing to economic growth. The region enjoys a stable economy with a range of industries beyond tourism, providing a favorable environment for land investment and business development.

Remember, the price of land per acre near Disney World can vary significantly depending on factors such as proximity to the parks, accessibility, and specific zoning regulations. The land prices in the area ranged from approximately $200,000 to $1.5 million per acre, with variations based on location, development potential, and specific features.

8. Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon, located in Arizona, is a world-renowned natural wonder and offers unique opportunities for land for sale.

This is an awe-inspiring geological masterpiece, attracting millions of visitors from around the globe. Its majestic cliffs, vibrant colors, and stunning vistas make it a top tourist destination. Investing in land near the Grand Canyon presents opportunities for tourism-focused ventures, such as hotels, lodges, recreational facilities, and guided tours.

Normally, the Grand Canyon is designated as a national park, ensuring its preservation and protection. This designation safeguards the area's natural beauty and limits development, making the land surrounding the canyon a precious and limited resource.

Acquiring land near the Grand Canyon offers exclusivity and long-term appreciation potential.

Outdoor Recreation:

In addition, this region offers a plethora of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, river rafting, and wildlife viewing. This makes this region ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who capitalize on the region's popularity for adventure tourism, eco-tourism, and nature-based activities.

Also, this region’s geological formations and unique ecosystems have significant scientific and educational value. Research institutions and educational organizations are drawn to the area to study geological processes, biodiversity, and environmental conservation.

Investing in land near the Grand Canyon can facilitate partnerships with educational and research institutions, leading to scientific exploration and environmental education opportunities.

9. Unicoi County

Unicoi County, located in the northeastern region of Tennessee, is a great place to buy cheap land for several reasons.

Firstly, the county offers a beautiful natural landscape with rolling hills, mountains, and rivers. This makes it an ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts, with plenty of opportunities for hiking, fishing, and other recreational activities.

In addition, Unicoi County has a strong economy with a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and tourism. This has created a stable job market and a growing population, which has led to increased demand for housing and other real estate.

Notably, the average price of land per acre in Unicoi County is currently around $6,000, making it an affordable option for those looking to invest in land. The county also offers a range of land types and sizes, from small residential lots to large tracts of land suitable for farming or ranching.

10. San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas, is a vibrant and rapidly growing city that offers a range of opportunities for land investment.

It boasts a strong and diverse economy driven by healthcare, bioscience, manufacturing, military, and tourism sectors. The city has seen consistent economic growth and is home to major companies, including Fortune 500 firms, creating a favorable environment for land investment and business development.

Situated in the south-central of the second largest state, Texas, San Antonio enjoys a strategic location with excellent transportation connectivity. It’s intersected by major highways, has a well-connected airport, and is positioned within proximity to Mexico, making it an ideal distribution and logistics hub.

This strategic advantage attracts businesses and makes land investments in industrial and commercial sectors appealing.

Additionally, San Antonio is known for its rich cultural heritage and popular tourist attractions. For example, the historic River Walk, the Alamo, and vibrant festivals like Fiesta San Antonio draw millions of visitors annually.

Investing in land near these attractions offers opportunities for hospitality, entertainment, and tourism-related businesses.

This region also hosts several military bases, including Lackland Air Force Base, Fort Sam Houston, and Randolph Air Force Base. The military presence contributes to the local economy and creates opportunities for land investments in defense-related industries, housing developments, and support services.

11. New Mexico

New Mexico, known as the "Land of Enchantment," offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural diversity, and investment opportunities, making it one of the best states to buy land.

It showcases a diverse landscape, including deserts, mountains, canyons, and forests. This state is home to iconic landmarks like White Sands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns, providing abundant opportunities for land investments focused on outdoor recreation, ecotourism, and nature-based activities.

It also boasts a vibrant mix of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures. Its rich cultural heritage is reflected in traditional arts, historic sites, and annual festivals like the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Investing in land here allows for ventures that celebrate and promote cultural tourism, art galleries, and local craftsmanship.

Unlike other regions, New Mexico offers comparatively affordable land prices, making it an enticing option for land buyers. The land prices per acre varied across the state, ranging from approximately $500 to $5,000, depending on factors such as location, proximity to amenities, topography, and access to utilities.

Additionally, New Mexico has a vast potential for renewable energy, particularly solar and wind power. This state's abundant sunshine and favorable wind patterns have attracted investments in renewable energy projects, including large-scale solar farms and wind parks.

If you invest land in this area, you can capitalize on the region's growing commitment to clean energy and sustainability.

Also, New Mexico offers business-friendly policies, tax incentives, and an emerging technology sector. The state is home to research institutions, such as Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories, fostering innovation and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Buying land here can facilitate the development of tech parks, research facilities, or industrial projects.

12. Fort Worth

Fort Worth, Texas, stands out as an excellent location for land investment due to its robust economy, favorable business climate, and diverse range of opportunities.

It boasts a thriving and diverse economy supported by oil and gas, aerospace and aviation, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics sectors. This city is home to several Fortune 500 companies, including major players in the energy and defense industries, providing stability and growth potential for land investments.

In addition to the growing economy, Fort Worth offers a pro-business environment with low taxes, cheaper living standards, and a streamlined regulatory framework. It actively encourages entrepreneurship and innovation, making it an attractive destination for startups and small businesses seeking land for development or expansion.

This region benefits from its strategic location as a major transportation hub. It’s served by an extensive network of highways, railroads, and the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world.

This connectivity provides excellent logistical advantages for businesses and enhances the potential for industrial or distribution-focused land investments.

Additionally, the city of Fort Worth is rich in cultural attractions, including world-class museums, theaters, and art galleries. It’s known as the "City of Cowboys and Culture," offering a vibrant cultural scene, historic sites, and renowned events like the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Land investments catering to the tourism and hospitality sectors can benefit from this thriving cultural landscape.

Factors To Consider When Buying Land

When looking for the best places to buy land, there are several factors you should take into account. Population growth, natural beauty, commercial real estate, hunting land, economic growth, and job opportunities all play crucial roles in determining the perfect location for land investment.

Population Growth

Areas with high population growth can offer better opportunities for real estate investment. Increased demand for housing and commercial properties can drive up the value of the land, translating into higher profits for the landowner.

A rapidly growing population can also create a need for additional services and infrastructure, further boosting land prices.

Natural Beauty

The natural beauty of a given area can also affect the land value. Land with breathtaking landscapes, lush forests, or pristine bodies of water can be more desirable and valuable. Scenic land is especially attractive for building residential properties, vacation homes, or creating eco-tourism destinations.

Commercial Real Estate

Investing in land with potential for commercial real estate development can be wise. Positive trends in the job market and economic growth can often translate to increased demand for office, retail, and industrial spaces.

If you can purchase land in an area that is poised for commercial growth, you could benefit from rising property values as demand for commercial spaces grows.

Hunting Land

Investing in land with a rich ecosystem and good hunting opportunities can be a lucrative choice for outdoor enthusiasts and hunters. Apart from the recreational aspect, hunting land with diverse wildlife also has the potential for income generation through hunting leases and timber management.

Economic Growth

When selecting a location to buy land, it's essential to consider the area's economic growth. A region with a thriving economy will likely attract more businesses and job-seekers, driving up the demand for land and property. In contrast, an economically stagnant area may have less demand and potentially lower land values.

Job Opportunities

Similarly, areas with strong job markets and high employment rates are likely to have a higher demand for property and, thus, higher land values. When searching for the best place to buy land, you should look for areas with a resilient and growing job market.

Sales Tax

Finally, consider the area's sales tax rates as they can impact the overall cost of living and the local economy. Regions with lower sales tax rates might attract more business, potentially boosting the value of land in the area.

Land Use Regulations

When it comes to buying land, understanding land use regulations is crucial. These regulations vary from region to region and can significantly impact the value and potential uses of the land you're considering.

In this section, we'll delve into the world of land use regulations, shedding light on how they can shape your investment decisions.

Zoning Laws: Zoning laws divide the land into different zones, such as residential, commercial, or industrial. These regulations determine what types of activities are permitted in each zone. For instance, if you're looking for land to build a residential property, you'll want to focus on areas zoned for housing.

Building Codes: Building codes set the standards for construction and ensure that structures meet safety and quality guidelines. These codes dictate factors like building height, setback requirements, and materials used.

Familiarizing yourself with the building codes of a particular region is essential to avoid any surprises or challenges during your development process.

Environmental Restrictions: Some areas have specific environmental regulations in place to protect natural resources, habitats, or sensitive ecosystems. These restrictions can impact land development, especially if the property is near protected areas like wetlands, forests, or wildlife habitats.

Understanding these regulations will help you assess the feasibility of your plans and any potential environmental considerations.

Historic Preservation: Historical preservation regulations aim to protect and preserve historically significant buildings and landmarks. These regulations may impose restrictions on altering or demolishing structures with historical value.

If you're eyeing a property in an area known for its historical significance, it's crucial to research the applicable preservation regulations.

Development Incentives: While regulations often have restrictions, some regions offer development incentives to encourage certain projects. These incentives can include tax breaks, grants, or expedited permitting processes.

Exploring regions with development incentives can provide opportunities to maximize your investment potential.

Remember, navigating land use regulations can be complex, but it's essential to the land-buying process. Feel free to consult with local experts, such as real estate agents or land use attorneys, to understand specific regulations in your desired areas better.