Real Estate Investing in Bristol, Tennessee (37620)

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

Sullivan County • Population: 38,330 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 37620 (Bristol, TN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (67/100)

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

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

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

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.2% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

What’s happening in Bristol, TN (37620)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $233,446
Avg Monthly Rent $1,393
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $50,154
% Renters 28.5%

Market Analysis: 37620 Bristol

ZIP 37620 inside Sullivan County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $233K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 37620 posts the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Nearby ZIPs in Bristol have seen price recovery that 37620 has not matched. Sullivan County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

The 37620 ZIP's population of 38,330 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that reflects the need for careful underwriting.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 37620 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 Bristol:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 71/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 4.7× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+1.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,393/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 37620

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+12.5% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$88,361/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $177,656 $1,090 4.4% +12.5% $88,828
3BR $265,083 $1,400 3.8% +10.7% $88,361
4BR $356,146 $1,530 3.1% +10.2% $89,036
5BR $481,932 +10.0% $96,386

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$246K$216K$187K$157K$127K$98KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,430$1,376$1,322$1,269$1,215$1,161Apr 2025Dec 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 37620 Compare?

Metric 37620 Bristol Tennessee
Home Value $233,446 $233,446 $327,001
5-Year CAGR 7.0% 7.0% 7.7%
Avg Rent $1,393 $1,393 -
Cap Rate 4.7% 4.7% -
💡 Why Invest in 37620? Click to expand

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

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 37620 (Bristol, TN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

Do you own or manage rentals in ZIP 37620 (Bristol, TN)?

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.7%
Fair
5yr Growth
+7.0%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $233,446
Monthly Rent $1,393
Price-to-Rent 14.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.2%
Cap Rate 4.7%
5-Year IRR 11.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +1.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +14.5% ▲
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.7%). 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.

Vacancy
10.2%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.0%
Growing
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 37620

Population: 38,330

💰 Median Household Income
$50,154
This area
$50,154
State
$60,881
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
28.5%
This area
28.5%
State
25.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.8%
This area
4.8%
State
-22.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
26.3%
This area
26.3%
State
-6.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
43.6 years
This area
43.6 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.2%
This area
10.2%
State
15.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 91.6%
Other/Mixed 5.7%
Black/African American 2.4%
Hispanic/Latino 2.2%
Asian 0.3%
👶 Under 18
19.6%
This area
19.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
20.0%
This area
20.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
12.8%
This area
12.8%
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 37620

B Avg School Grade
10 Schools
14.0:1 Avg Class Size
$13,411 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

B+ Above Average

Anderson Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
268 Students
👨‍🏫
11.5:1 Class Size
💰
$13,576 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Avoca Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
402 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,576 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Emmett Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
309 Students
👨‍🏫
12.9:1 Class Size
💰
$11,930 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Fairmount Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
365 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,576 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Holston View Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
314 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$13,576 Per Student
B Good

Haynesfield Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
397 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,576 Per Student
B Good

Bristol Tennessee Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
893 Students
👨‍🏫
18.0:1 Class Size
💰
$13,576 Per Student
B Good

Tennessee Online Public School

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
243 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$13,576 Per Student
B Good
👥
21 Students
👨‍🏫
6.9:1 Class Size
💰
$13,576 Per Student
B Good

Tennessee High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,179 Students
👨‍🏫
16.2:1 Class Size
💰
$13,576 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

4 Nearby 1,366 Off-Campus Students
C
King University
1,295 students · 4.1 mi
C+
Crown Cutz Academy Bristol
32 students · 6.4 mi
C
Virginia Highlands Community College
2,052 students · 11.5 mi
B
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton
1,093 students · 13.5 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,366 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are homes affordable in Bristol, TN?

Bristol, TN home values average about $233K. That price point suits investors targeting rentals with $1,393/mo in monthly income.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Bristol, TN?

Vacancy risk in Bristol, TN is elevated. That supports consistent cash flow for typical rental holds.

What is the smart move for investors in Bristol, TN?

Most investors in Bristol, TN run a careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy. It aligns with the 3.0/5 investability profile and the market fundamentals.

Is Bristol, TN a friendly market for rental owners?

For rental operators, Bristol, TN rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

Is the tenant base reliable in Bristol, TN?

Tenant demand in Bristol, TN is solid. The local workforce $1,393/mo rents across most rental classes.

You know 37620 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 37620 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.

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How 37620 ranks in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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