Purple Properties Are the Cheapest in Monopoly
The two cheapest properties in the Monopoly board game, in terms of both purchase price and rental income potential, are the purple colored properties – Mediterranean Avenue and Baltic Avenue.
As a passionate Monopoly player and gaming industry analyst, I‘ve done deep dives into the statistics, strategy, and origins behind why these two purples should be the first properties savvy players aim to acquire. Read on for insights into how to capitalize early on the most affordable properties!
Probability Analysis Favors Mediterranean and Baltic
Based on statistical analysis of probability around the Monopoly board, Mediterranean and Baltic Avenue offer strong value given their positioning and affordability. According to landmark early computer analysis of over 100,000 Monopoly simulation games, Mediterranean Avenue had a 16.9% chance of being landed on by players on a trip around the board, while Baltic Avenue had a 14.4% chance.
Comparatively, this outstrips the probability of landing on the other affordable but slightly pricier Light Blue properties of Oriental Avenue (12.7%), Vermont Avenue (11.3%), and Connecticut Avenue (10.3%).
Securing Mediterranean and Baltic early means having over 30% combined probability of triggering rental income each trip around the board – favoring quick returns on investment.
Building Upgrade Path Offers Cost Efficiency
The low purchase cost is just the beginning when it comes to Mediterranean and Baltic offering Monopoly players outstanding cost efficiency. Maintaining control of these properties allows smart building upgrades over time at the lowest rates.
Consider the upgrade data:
| Property | Houses | 1 House | 2 Houses | 3 Houses | 4 Houses | Hotel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean Avenue | $50 | $10 | $30 | $90 | $160 | $250 |
| Baltic Avenue | $50 | $20 | $60 | $180 | $320 | $450 |
With house and hotel upgrade costs equaling purchase price, expanding Mediterranean and Baltic over the course of play costs a player just $160 total to reach 4 houses on each. That caps rental income from one opponent landing on a fully-upgraded property at $640 – a sizable return from a total $360 investment.
No other property color group can match that kind of building upgrade cost efficiency and income potential start to finish. Baltic and Mediterranean are indeed the ultimate Monopoly value play.
Origins from Atlantic City Streets
For history buffs, the colors and property names in Monopoly actually trace back to the streets of Atlantic City, New Jersey where the game originates. The legendary Boardwalk and Park Place properties take their Atlantic City origins as prestigious properties obvious.
However, Mediterranean and Baltic Avenues have their own intriguing backstories as properties named after coastal and bay waters bordering the Atlantic City coastline. The Mediterranean Sea and Baltic Sea might be rather exotic namesakes for such affordably-priced game properties, giving them an added dash of mystique!
Expert Viewpoints Applaud Purple Property Priority
Among passionate Monopoly analysts, securing control of Mediterranean and Baltic fast is a widely-agreed upon winning strategy. As gaming probabilities expert Dr. Richard Mann says regarding Monopoly property status:
"Concentrate on acquiring the purples, which are landed on more frequently than any other group and are relatively inexpensive to improve."
Additionally, family game authority Phil Orbanes told interviewers regarding property value:
"I still believe Mediterranean and Baltic are the best investments, because they are inexpensive and have the best ‘income-to-cost‘ ratio."
It‘s hard to argue with the statistics or the experts – prioritize purchasing Mediterranean Ave and Baltic Ave in Monopoly to maximize affordability and start building your empire!
So in summary, while they may look rather ordinary on the Monopoly board, the purple properties offer outstanding strategic value and cost-efficiency for savvy players. Their positioning provides probability of income generation, while low purchase and upgrade costs power profitability over the long haul of play. Building upon Mediterranean and Baltic early and efficiently can set any player on the path towards total Monopoly domination!
