But to compare one's giving on a dollar for dollar basis is a poor benchmark regardless.

You get higher returns but whatever benchmark or numbers you're using just won't be calibrated for what you're likely to deal with in some of these neighborhoods.  

The Fed's interest rate benchmark runs with bonds the treasury sells, at the current rate investors are break even on US bonds.

Population Growth, Median Income Growth, Crime Rates, Median House Value) It's super straightforward and it's been a great high-level benchmark as you start combing through all the details of a particular city. 

She passed all of the credit and background benchmarks, but something just felt ‘off’.

Now, if the Miller's are able to pay to have a cost segregation study performed and able to get 20% of their depreciable base into the 5 year bucket, 2% into the 7 year bucket and 20% into the 15 year bucket (wild examples that are not benchmarks, just using for this discussion) then that would accelerate a massive amount of depreciation and (depending on a lot of other factors) could allow them to legally claim a loss on their personal/applicable returns in the first 5-7 years (guessing) even though they may be actually cash flowing and having the tenants pay down the mortgage.

This will assume a lot and won't fit every case, but can serve as a benchmark. 

They need to meet or exceed the income benchmark you've established in order to potentially qualify as your tenants.

Everyone has a benchmark on what they want to get.

I'm just trying to clarify my understanding of real estate taxes using stocks as a benchmark (since I'm already familiar with how stocks are taxed).