Real Estate Investing in Knoxville, Tennessee (37902)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 37902 (Knoxville, 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: 17.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
- High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 27.5 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.
What’s happening in Knoxville, TN (37902)?
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Market Analysis: 37902 Knoxville
ZIP 37902 inside Knox County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $649K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.
Meanwhile, the numbers look inviting — $649K purchase price, 0.0% nominal cap — the work to hit that pro forma in 37902 is substantial and deserves full respect.
Stepping back, 37902 offers a low basis, the region around Knoxville has moved on in ways that the ZIP itself has not fully absorbed. The result is a discount with genuine reasons.
Meanwhile, 2,308 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.
leans the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Knoxville:
Property Strategy for 37902
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $413,724 | $1,480 | 2.6% | +7.4% | $413,724 |
| 2BR | $684,380 | $1,840 | 1.9% | +11.7% | $342,190 |
| 3BR | $884,720 | $2,330 | 1.9% | +11.2% | $294,907 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 37902 Compare?
| Metric | 37902 | Knoxville | Knoxville, TN | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $649,287 | $207,092 | N/A | $327,001 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 9.5% | 8.7% | N/A | 7.7% |
| Avg Rent | $1,966 | $1,756 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 2.4% | 3.8% | - | - |
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 37902 (Knoxville, TN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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Property managers serving Knox County
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $649,287 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,966 |
| Price-to-Rent | 27.5:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 3.6% |
| Cap Rate | 2.4% |
| 5-Year IRR | 11.9% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +2.9% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +7.3% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +9.5% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +8.6% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -2.0% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.4%). 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 37902
Population: 2,308
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 37902
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
Vine Middle/Magnet
Belle Morris Elementary
Christenberry Elementary
Green Magnet Math And Science Academy
Whittle Springs Middle 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 798 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the rental occupancy rate in Knoxville, TN?
Occupancy in Knoxville, TN runs even-keeled with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,966/mo lease on reasonable timelines.
Is it easy to find good tenants in Knoxville, TN?
Tenant demand in Knoxville, TN is solid. The local workforce $1,966/mo rents across most rental classes.
What type of investing works in Knoxville, TN?
A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Knoxville, TN best. The market produces reliable results for that approach at the $649K price point.
Does house hacking work in Knoxville, TN?
House hacking works a challenging in Knoxville, TN. Rents of $1,966/mo against $649K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.
Does Knoxville, TN make sense for an investment property?
The 3.0/5 investability rating in Knoxville, TN reflects its $649K prices and $1,966/mo rents. Investors generally consider it a solid option within TN.
You know 37902 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 37902 ranks in Knoxville, TN
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