Living in Los Santos doesn’t come cheap. As soon as you enter the world of Grand Theft Auto 5, life becomes a power struggle. And power comes from how rich you are, thanks to the need for cars, properties, or weapons. Unfortunately, there aren’t many ways to grab quick cash in the game. But don’t worry, as we are here for you. Given below are some of the best ways you can make money in the GTA 5 story mode to help you get rich quicker.
1. Complete Lester’s Assassination Missions
Let’s cut to the chase: if you want to become obscenely wealthy in GTA 5 story mode, you absolutely must master Lester Crest’s assassination missions. These seemingly straightforward story objectives are, in fact, cleverly disguised stock market manipulation tutorials. Lester provides you with insider information about companies affected by your deadly deeds.
Here’s the golden rule: Invest in the competitor’s stock before you carry out the assassination. For example, in the first mission, “Hotel Assassination,” Lester tells you to take out the CEO of Bilkington. Before you pull the trigger, invest all of Franklin’s (and eventually Michael and Trevor’s) available cash in Betta Pharmaceuticals (BET) on the LCN stock exchange.
You can switch your GTA 5 character after starting a mission to do so. Once the mission is complete, Bilkington’s stock will plummet, and Betta Pharmaceuticals will skyrocket. Sell your shares at the peak for an astronomical profit.
This strategy applies to almost all of Lester’s assassination missions. Pay close attention to his pre-mission briefings for the crucial stock tips. Remember to invest with all three characters to maximize your returns. Patience is key as you must wait for the stock to reach its highest point before selling. When played strategically, this single set of GTA 5 missions can net you hundreds of millions. Here is a list of Lester’s Assassination Missions in GTA 5:
- Hotel Assassination
- Multi-Target Assassination
- Vice Assassination
- Bus Assassination
- Construction Assassination
2. Complete GTA 5 Story Mode Heists
While Lester’s missions offer the biggest individual payouts, the main story heists are your consistent source of significant income. These multi-stage missions require careful planning, the right crew, and a steady hand. Before you jump into a heist, make sure your GTA 5 character is equipped with the right artillery.
Pay close attention to the different approaches and crew member choices. While cheaper crew members take a smaller cut, their lower skills can lead to mission failures and reduced overall profits. Investing in skilled associates is often worth the extra cost.
Once you’ve completed a heist, you might have the option to replay it. Experiment with different strategies and crew combinations to optimize your earnings. “The Big Score,” the final heist, offers the potential for the most significant single payout if executed correctly. Ensure you choose the “Obvious” approach with a skilled crew for maximum profit.
Explore all available options during the planning phase. Sometimes, a slightly riskier approach can yield a significantly larger reward. This is one of the best ways to make money in GTA 5 story mode and perhaps the most fun one too. Here is a list of all the available story mode heists in GTA 5 with the estimated profit:
- The Jewel Store Job: $1,200,000 (Michael), $300,000 (Franklin)
- The Merryweather Heist: $0
- The Paleto Store: $464,000 (Franklin, Michael & Trevor)
- The Bureau Raid: $240,000 (Franklin)
- The Big Score: $41,000,000 (Michael, Trevor & Franklin)
3. Random Encounters Make Solid Money
Just roaming across Los Santos can also make you a good chunk of money in GTA 5. One of the key ingredients behind that is spotting random encounters. You can watch the map and look for the blue dots. There are 60 random encounters in the game, from which you can complete some to get a lot of solid cash. Unfortunately, not all of them can make you a fortune. That is why we picked the three best random encounters you can spot early to make good money. So drive by the ones below and make sure to finish them:
- Countryside Robbery
- Deal Gone Wrong
- Drug Shootout
4. Rob Stores to Make Money in GTA 5 Story Mode
When you’re short on cash, hitting up convenience stores and gas stations can provide a quick influx of funds. Be prepared for a police response and ensure you have a getaway plan. Below, we have also prepared the full list of stores across Lost Santos that you can rob at any time:
- 24/7 – Earl’s Mini-Mart & Gas Station, Senora Freeway
- 24/7 – Niland Avenue and Alhambra Drive, Sandy Shores, Blaine County
- 24/7 – Globe Oil Gas Station, Senora Freeway, North Mount Chiliad
- 24/7 – Route 68, Harmony
- 24/7 – Barbareno Road, Chumash, Southwest of Chumash Plaza
- 24/7 – Ineseno Road, Banham Canyon, Los Santos County
- 24/7 – Clinton Avenue, Downtown Vinewood, Los Santos
- 24/7 – Taviam Truckstop, Palomino Freeway, Taviam Mountains
- 24/7 – Innocence Boulevard, Strawberry
- Scoops Liquor Barn – Route 68, Grand Senora Desert
- Rob’s Liquor – Great Ocean Highway, Banham Canyon, Los Santos County
- Rob’s Liquor – Prosperity Street, Morningwood, Los Santos
- Rob’s Liquor – San Andreas Avenue, Vespucci Canals, Los Santos
- Rob’s Liquor – El Rancho Boulevard, Murrieta Heights, Los Santos
- LTD – Grapeseed Main Street, Grapeseed, Blaine County
- LTD – North Rockford Drive and Banham Canyon Drive, Richman Glen
- LTD – West Mirror Drive and Mirror Park Boulevard, Mirror Park
- LTD – Ginger Street and Lindsay Circus, Little Seoul
- LTD – Grove Street and Davis Avenue, Davis
5. Invest in the Stock Market
As explained in Lester’s point above, the stock market is a quick path to success. However, it can go the wrong way if you don’t have solid knowledge. I suggest you go for the lower-value stocks for a decent profit margin. And, if it fails, you will have less of a negative impact on your bank balance. Well, if you are a seasoned veteran, take the risk and make enough profit in GTA 5 story mode.
6. Avoid Buying Cars to Save Cash
When you are early in story mode, your eyes will always go toward the spicy cars in the shop. However, you can easily avoid that craving by stealing cars from others. Prefer visiting the clubs or racing venues and stealing some fancy vehicles instead of buying them. This way, you will save a lot of cash early on. Just be on the lookout for nearby cops before you grab a key for the fastest GTA 5 cars.
7. Complete GTA 5 Story Missions
One of the most legal ways to make money in GTA 5 is by completing the story mode missions. While experiencing the story of the trio, you will get plenty of cash without breaking a lot of sweat. Moreover, you will unlock side missions once you go through the main missions. So if all else fails, this is one of the best ways to make money in the GTA 5 story mode.
8. Other Ways to Make Money in GTA 5 Story Mode
Along with these best money-making ways, plenty of quick methods exist to make tons of cash in GTA 5 story mode. We have listed all the other useful ways in the list below:
- Collect Nuclear Waste: As Trevor, you can purchase a Sonar Collections Dock and undertake a side venture to locate and collect barrels of nuclear waste scattered along the San Andreas coastline. This slow but steady earner provides a decent payout per barrel and unlocks a unique submarine for your aquatic adventures. While not a quick path to riches, it offers a different kind of exploration and a consistent income stream over time.
- Bail Bonds Bounties: Trevor also has the unique opportunity to work with Maude Eccles, a bail bondswoman who sends him on missions to track down and capture (or eliminate) wanted individuals. Each successful bounty earns a cash reward, with bonuses for bringing the targets in alive. This activity offers a mix of driving, pursuit, and combat, providing a more action-oriented way to earn money outside the main storyline.
- Rob Armored Trucks: These heavily guarded vehicles patrol the streets carrying significant amounts of cash. Successfully ambushing and cracking open an armored truck can yield substantial immediate money in GTA 5 story mode. However, be prepared for a swift and heavily armed police response, making a quick getaway and a safe place to stash the loot essential for this high-risk, high-reward endeavor.
- Win Street Races: Los Santos is a haven for underground street racing. Participating in and winning these races, accessible through various contacts on your phone, offers a direct cash prize. As you progress and improve your driving skills, you can unlock more challenging and lucrative races, providing a fun and competitive way to earn money while showcasing your automotive prowess.
That ends our guide for all the best ways to make money in GTA 5 story mode. Which method are you using the most to be rich in the game? Do tell us in the comments below.
