8 Best Counties for Tax Lien Investing in 2026
TL;DR
The best counties for tax lien investing balance low competition with reasonable auction volume. Cameron County TX, Duval County FL, and Pima County AZ are top picks for 2026.
1. Cameron County, Texas
Cameron County is the best county in the country for beginning tax lien investors. It has monthly online auctions through RealAuction, low bidder turnout, and properties where back taxes are small relative to value. The minimum bid often equals the total back taxes since there are few competing bidders.
2. El Paso County, Texas
El Paso County offers similar advantages to Cameron County with even less competition. The county's population is growing, supporting property values. Auctions are monthly and online. Minimum bids are typically very reasonable.
3. Duval County, Florida
Jacksonville's Duval County offers Florida tax deed sales with less competition than Miami-Dade while maintaining good property values. The county has regular online auctions and a solid real estate market.
4. Pima County, Arizona
Tucson's Pima County offers Arizona's tax lien system with less competition than Maricopa County. The 3-year redemption period gives you more earning time. Property values are reasonable and the local economy is stable.
5. El Paso County, Colorado
Colorado Springs offers Colorado tax lien certificates with good value and lower competition than Denver. The growing population along Colorado's Front Range supports property values and redemption rates.
6. Tarrant County, Texas
Fort Worth's Tarrant County offers a good balance of auction volume and competition. More bidders than Cameron County, but significantly fewer than Dallas or Harris. The local economy is strong and diverse.
7. Fulton County, Georgia
Atlanta's Fulton County has high auction volume with moderate competition. Georgia's tax deed system means you bid on properties directly. The growing Atlanta economy supports property values.
8. Lee County, Florida
Fort Myers' Lee County offers Florida tax deed investing with less competition than the major metro areas. Population growth in Southwest Florida is driving property values higher.