Real Estate Investing in Chattanooga, Tennessee (37406)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Hamilton County • Population: 12,867 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 37406 (Chattanooga, TN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (65/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (57/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
3 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.3% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Elevated poverty: 25.6% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Lower household income: $39,031 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

What’s happening in Chattanooga, TN (37406)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $182,237
Avg Monthly Rent $1,661
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $39,031
% Renters 51.0%

Market Analysis: 37406 Chattanooga

ZIP 37406 in Chattanooga, TN carries a substantial set of headwinds. Home values near $182K and rents of $1,661/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

The 37406 ZIP can work — but only with a tight operating hand. Remote landlords and passive investors tend to struggle here more than the underwriting suggests.

Within TN, ZIP 37406 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Hamilton County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and resilient enough to shape underwriting.

The demographic picture in 37406 includes headwinds that any investor should price in. Income distribution skews lower than Chattanooga averages, and tenant stability requires active management.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 37406 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Chattanooga:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 68/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
11/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.7× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.6%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,661/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Chattanooga, TN-GA Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
68 days
Average time to sell
Slow
11.4%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Chattanooga, TN-GA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 37406

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
6.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+12.7% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$61,921/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $142,213 $1,200 6.1% +12.7% $71,106
3BR $216,088 $1,500 5.0% +9.4% $72,029
4BR $247,685 $1,600 4.7% +8.7% $61,921

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$197K$168K$138K$109K$80K$51KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,711$1,610$1,509$1,408$1,308$1,207Mar 2025Nov 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 37406 Compare?

Metric 37406 Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN-GA Tennessee
Home Value $182,237 $277,310 N/A $327,001
5-Year CAGR 5.1% 4.4% N/A 7.7%
Avg Rent $1,661 $1,520 N/A -
Cap Rate 7.1% 4.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 37406? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

51% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 37406 (Chattanooga, TN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Hamilton County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Greyhaven Realty Management Co. offers property management, brokerage, rehab, construction, leasing, and maintenance services in Chattanooga for single-family and multi-family properties. summary from their website

Single-familySmall multifamily
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Doorby Property Management offers property management services in Chattanooga. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
7.1%
Good
5yr Growth
+5.1%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $182,237
Monthly Rent $1,661
Price-to-Rent 9.1:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 10.9%
Cap Rate 7.1%
5-Year IRR 12.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +2.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +26.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 7.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (7.1%). Financing this market at current rates produces a cash-on-cash return near the cap rate. Appreciation and tax benefits may still support the investment.

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
11.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.1%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 37406

Population: 12,867

💰 Median Household Income
$39,031
This area
$39,031
State
$60,881
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
51.0%
This area
51.0%
State
25.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.3%
This area
5.3%
State
-22.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
14.9%
This area
14.9%
State
-6.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
35.2 years
This area
35.2 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.3%
This area
11.3%
State
15.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 70.5%
White 21.9%
Other/Mixed 7.1%
Hispanic/Latino 3.6%
Asian 0.4%
👶 Under 18
26.9%
This area
26.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
17.7%
This area
17.7%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
25.6%
This area
25.6%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 37406

C+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
21.5:1 Avg Class Size
$12,591 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Hardy Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
419 Students
👨‍🏫
12.1:1 Class Size
💰
$12,591 Per Student
B+ Above Average

STEM School Chattanooga

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
273 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$12,591 Per Student
D Needs Improvement
👥
135 Students
👨‍🏫
38.6:1 Class Size
💰
$12,591 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 2,870 Off-Campus Students
C
Chattanooga State Community College
6,601 students · 2.0 mi
D
Richmont Graduate University
351 students · 3.0 mi
C+
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
11,380 students · 3.5 mi
C
Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers
311 students · 4.2 mi
D
Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga
3,667 students · 4.5 mi
D
Academy of Allied Health Careers
196 students · 4.8 mi
C+
Covenant College
928 students · 10.4 mi
C+
Southern Adventist University
3,154 students · 11.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,870 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average monthly rent in Chattanooga, TN?

Rent in Chattanooga, TN is around $1,661/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $182K pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

What investment strategy works best in Chattanooga, TN?

In Chattanooga, TN the significant play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $182K prices and $1,661/mo rents suits that approach.

What kind of market is Chattanooga, TN for investors?

Investors tracking Chattanooga, TN will find a 3.0/5 rating supported by $182K median home values and $1,661/mo rents. That profile suits long-term holders targeting predictable returns.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Chattanooga, TN?

Chattanooga, TN carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect measured absorption at market rents of $1,661/mo.

Is TN a landlord-friendly state?

Landlord-friendliness in Chattanooga, TN is landlord-friendly. Eviction timelines and lease enforcement are considered reasonable by most property managers.

You know 37406 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 37406 ranks in Chattanooga, TN-GA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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