Real Estate Investing in Chattanooga, Tennessee (37409)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 37409 (Chattanooga, TN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- High vacancy: 13.1% of homes vacant — above national norms.
What’s happening in Chattanooga, TN (37409)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 37409 Chattanooga
The 37409 ZIP covers a section of Chattanooga that demands careful diligence. Prices near $402K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.
If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $402K asset, 37409 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.
In the broader TN picture, 37409 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.
On the rental side, 3,417 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.
Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 37409 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Chattanooga:
Property Strategy for 37409
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $334,483 | $1,450 | 3.1% | +7.3% | $167,241 |
| 3BR | $467,444 | $1,810 | 2.8% | +9.5% | $155,815 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 37409 Compare?
| Metric | 37409 | Chattanooga | Chattanooga, TN-GA | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $401,598 | $277,310 | N/A | $327,001 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 5.5% | 4.4% | N/A | 7.7% |
| Avg Rent | $1,798 | $1,520 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 3.5% | 4.6% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 37409 (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
Doorby Property Management offers property management services in Chattanooga. summary from their website
Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.
📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $401,598 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,798 |
| Price-to-Rent | 18.6:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 5.4% |
| Cap Rate | 3.5% |
| 5-Year IRR | 9.0% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +3.6% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +3.2% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +5.5% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +9.7% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | N/A |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.5%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.
Run an IRR Analysis →⚠️ Risk Signals
Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.
Demographics in 37409
Population: 3,417
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 37409
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Calvin Donaldson Environmental Science Academy
Howard Connect Academy
Lookout Mountain Elementary School
Battle Academy for Teaching and Learning
The Howard School
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
Investor Insight: With 2,870 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly do rentals get leased in Chattanooga, TN?
Vacancy in Chattanooga, TN is elevated, which keeps landlord downtime on reasonable timelines. Most properties lease within the standard window at $1,798/mo.
What is the best play in Chattanooga, TN?
Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Chattanooga, TN. The numbers - $402K homes against $1,798/mo rents - support that play.
How much do tenants pay in Chattanooga, TN?
The typical rental in Chattanooga, TN commands about $1,798/mo monthly. That rent profile even-keeled cash flow against the $402K purchase basis.
Does house hacking make sense in Chattanooga, TN?
The a challenging house-hack environment in Chattanooga, TN reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.
What kind of market is Chattanooga, TN for investors?
Chattanooga, TN scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $402K and rents near $1,798/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.
You know 37409 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 37409 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.
How 37409 ranks in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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