In MONOPOLY GO, Upgrading your property is one of the most important things to do to make progress in the game, complete boards, and earn better rewards for both, common players as well as mod players. However, there’s a thing: not all buildings are equally valuable at the start. Which building to upgrade first comes into everybody’s mind. Choosing wisely helps in saving cash and finishing boards faster to earn greater rewards and in-game money.
In this guide, we will share with you the best buildings to upgrade early, explain why some upgrades really matter, and discuss strategies to maximize rewards in Monopoly Go.
Why Building Upgrades Matter in Monopoly Go?
Board Completion
Upgrading buildings helps you in finishing the board to unlock new rewards.
Cash Rewards
Some building upgrades give you bonus cash instantly.
Event Progress
Many events require building upgrades to reach milestones.
Milestone Boosts
Final upgrades and landmarks give you a good amount of payouts.
Faster Growth
Ensuring you prioritize the right building takes you toward steady progress without wasting resources.
Factors to Consider Before Upgrading
Before getting into upgrading, keep the following points in mind:
Cash Availability
Upgrade when you have enough cash in hand.
Event Timing
Upgrading during events gives you bonus rewards.
Multiplier Use
Some upgrades are more valuable with dice multipliers.
Long-Term Strategy
Focus on essentials first, and don’t rush to build all buildings at once.
Buildings to Upgrade First in Monopoly Go
Cheapest Buildings on the Board
- Low-cost buildings are best to start with in Monopoly Go game.
- This allows you to progress faster without spending much.
- Enables you to unlock advanced structures at a later stage.
Key Landmarks with Higher Rewards
- Some buildings provide extra bonuses (dice or cash) after being upgraded.
- Always prioritize such buildings over good-looking ones that don’t pay much.
Event-Boosted Buildings
- During build events, upgrades count toward milestones.
- Save cash to upgrade intensely during such events.
Final Landmark on Each Board
- The last building unveils the board completion reward.
- In order to finish your last upgrade, always save cash.
Mid-Cost Buildings for Balanced Growth
- Target mid-tier buildings after cheap upgrades.
- These buildings will keep your progress stable while preparing for high-cost upgrades.
Understanding the Upgrades In Monopoly Go
Just before we begin with selecting our first building, it is important to understand what we’re optimizing for. Upgrading doesn’t mean making your board look elegant; it impacts three key resources:
- Cash: The primary currency for upgrading and building. Earned by passing GO, completing events, and landing on properties.
- Dice: By building and upgrading your property, you earn extra dice that fuel your game.
- Shields: Your main defense against opponent attacks is your shield. Upgraded buildings have more shields, which makes them harder to destroy.
Creating a positive feedback loop should be your ultimate goal: Use dice to earn cash. Use cash to upgrade buildings. Rewards with increased net worth give you more dice. Repeat
Tips for Smart Building Upgrades
Upgrade During Events
- Never waste your upgrades outside events.
- Events such as Cash Grab or Build Events maximize your rewards.
Don’t Upgrade Everything
- Save cash for progress milestones.
- Focus only on the required upgrades to complete the board.
Use Dice Multipliers Wisely
- Higher multipliers = higher event rewards.
- Make a combination of multipliers along with building upgrades to get maximum benefit
Track Your Cash Flow
- Manage your cash flow wisely and avoid going broke after every board.
- Save enough to roll in events while upgrading gradually.
Save for the Landmark
- Never spend all your cash before the final landmark upgrade.
- The final landmark upgrade marks your board completion.
- Always make sure you have enough cash left for this.
- Completing the board gives you rewards like dice, stickers, and event boosts.
Top 10 Best Buildings to Upgrade First in Monopoly Go
Upgrading is the key to progress on Monopoly Go boards; therefore, knowing which ones to target first is crucial, and it saves you time and money. Below is the ranking of the top 10 buildings (across different boards) that most players should target first. Every board in this game follows a similar pattern. You will witness different building types, but the upgrade cycle usually moves from the cheapest to the most expensive.
1. Houses (Cheap Residential Upgrades)
- Why Upgrade First?
The cheapest buildings on board are houses. They help you complete early stages without wasting your cash unnecessarily. - When to Upgrade: Always first—before any expensive upgrades
2. Shops and Small Businesses
- Why Upgrade?
Upgrade mid-cost buildings for steady cash flows. Creates a balance between cheap upgrades and landmarks that are on the expensive side. - When to Upgrade: After all basic residential structures are complete.
3. Hotels
- Why Upgrade?
Hotels are often mid-to-high tier but come with solid cash and event rewards. They’re also essential for board progression. - When to Upgrade: Right after finishing shops.
4. Community Centers or Parks
- Why Upgrade?
Usually cheaper than landmarks but more precious than houses. They count towards milestone rewards in events. - When to Upgrade: In the mid-phase of your upgrades.
5. Skyscrapers (Major Commercial Buildings)
- Why Upgrade?
They are expensive but highly rewarding structures. Upgrading skyscrapers often leads to completing a maximum chunk of the board. - When to Upgrade: Save these for events like Build Events or Cash Grab.
6. Landmarks (Final Stage Buildings)
- Why Upgrade?
Each board has a landmark (like a stadium, monument, or iconic tower). Upgrading it completes the board, unlocking huge rewards such as dice and sticker packs. - When to Upgrade: Always keep cash saved to finish this last.
7. Banks
- Why Upgrade?
Banks usually have a greater upgrade price, but they trigger big coin payouts. They also tie in nicely with events like Bank Heist. - When to Upgrade: Towards the end of your board’s progression.
8. Airports or Transport Hubs
- Why Upgrade?
They mostly unlock high milestone rewards and boost progress in special events. - When to Upgrade: After mid-tier buildings, but before final landmarks.
9. Cultural Buildings (Museums, Theaters, etc.)
- Why Upgrade?
Often ignored, but during events they can give a significant chunk of bonuses. - When to Upgrade: When an event requires multiple mid-tier upgrades.
10. Final Decorative Upgrades (Optional)
- Why Upgrade?
Though these don’t add much, they are required to complete the board. Upgrade them at last and only when you’re sure you have enough cash. - When to Upgrade: End of the board, right before finishing the landmark.
What NOT to Upgrade First
Knowing what to do is important, but knowing what not to do is more important.
- Single Properties in a Set: Avoid heavily upgrading a property if you don’t own any of its siblings. The rent will remain less, and it becomes a good target for shutdowns.
- The Last Row (Board 3): Properties that are on the third side of the board (e.g., Park Place, Boardwalk) are landed on the least. While they have higher rent, the low frequency makes them a poor early-game investment. Save these for the later part of the game.
- Railroads and Utilities Indiscriminately: While useful, their rent is fixed and doesn’t scale with upgrades like property rent does. Only upgrade them when you have excess cash or as part of a shield strategy for their block.
- Ignoring Shields: Focusing only on rent income and not defense leaves you vulnerable. A shutdown can wipe out hours of progress on a single, maxed-out building.
Common Mistakes Monopoly Go Players Make
- Upgrading outside events.
- Spending cash on unnecessary buildings.
- Not having enough cash for the final landmark.
- Avoiding cheap upgrades first.
- Over-upgrading while missing out on event milestones.
FAQs
Why should I upgrade buildings in Monopoly GO?
Upgrading buildings is necessary to complete boards, unlock rewards, and progress in the game.
Which building should I always upgrade first?
Start with the cheapest buildings on the board to move forward quickly.
Do upgrades give rewards immediately?
Yes, many upgrades give instant cash or progress rewards.
Does upgrading affect my dice rolls?
Not directly, but building upgrades are tied to events that often reward dice.
Do all events include building upgrades?
Not all, but most major milestone events count building upgrades.
What’s the best event for saving upgrades?
Build Events or Cash Grab events.
Conclusion
To summarize, all that we have learned so far is that the best buildings to upgrade first are the cheapest ones, followed by greater reward-earning landmarks that are event focused. Being strategic with your upgrades, your boards can be completed at a faster pace, earning you more cash and rewards. Consistency and timing matter in the game and give you an edge over other players.
There is no single “best” building for every player, as luck and board state play a role. However, the principles remain constant: prioritize high-traffic areas, complete sets for multipliers, and build shields for defense. Avoid common mistakes, and upgrade smartly to dominate Monopoly GO!
