Real Estate Investing in Memphis, Tennessee (38111)

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

Shelby County • Population: 43,308 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 38111 (Memphis, TN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (68/100)

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

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

A cash-flow market — rent-to-price math works from day one, though value growth is modest. Great for income-focused investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 12.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.

What’s happening in Memphis, TN (38111)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $134,255
Avg Monthly Rent $1,289
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $50,151
% Renters 53.1%

Market Analysis: 38111 Memphis

Investors eyeing 38111 need to respect the fundamentals at play. Home values of $134K come alongside slower price movement and elevated management overhead.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 38111 clocks in at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Statewide comparisons place 38111 among TN's softer markets. That context does not make the ZIP uninvestable, but it does raise the bar for due diligence.

The 38111 ZIP's population of 43,308 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that reflects the need for careful underwriting.

Strategically, 38111 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

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 Memphis:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
20/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Affordable
Homes cost 2.7× the median income
Value Trend
Stable (+2.9%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,289/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
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
68 days
Average time to sell
Slow
10.0%
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 38111

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
9.7% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+6.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$45,560/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $82,788 $1,120 9.7% +4.0% $82,788
2BR $99,166 $1,240 9.0% +6.0% $49,583
3BR $136,679 $1,640 8.6% +4.8% $45,560
4BR $275,602 $1,910 5.0% +3.6% $68,900
5BR $732,104 +3.3% $146,421

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$153K$133K$112K$92K$72K$51KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,388$1,235$1,082$930$777$624Jul 2016Jul 2021Jul 2026

📊 How Does 38111 Compare?

Metric 38111 Memphis Memphis, TN-MS-AR Tennessee
Home Value $134,255 $150,680 N/A $327,001
5-Year CAGR 1.9% 2.6% N/A 7.7%
Avg Rent $1,289 $1,243 N/A -
Cap Rate 7.5% 6.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 38111? Click to expand

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

53% 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 38111 (Memphis, TN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving Shelby County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Advantage Property Management offers property management services in Memphis, TN, and surrounding areas, including Section 8 property management, maintenance, and renovations. summary from their website

Section 8
Unclaimed — is this your business? Claim it free

Enterprise Property Management offers property management services in Memphis. summary from their website

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Foundation Property Management offers property management services in Memphis, TN. 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
7.5%
Good
5yr Growth
+1.9%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $134,255
Monthly Rent $1,289
Price-to-Rent 8.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 11.5%
Cap Rate 7.5%
5-Year IRR 9.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +2.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR -1.5% ▼
5-Year CAGR +1.9% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +8.9% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲
Neutral Leverage Cap Rate: 7.5%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage is roughly neutral here.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) is close to the estimated cap rate (7.5%). 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
12.3%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.9%
Flat
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 38111

Population: 43,308

💰 Median Household Income
$50,151
This area
$50,151
State
$60,881
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
53.1%
This area
53.1%
State
25.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.8%
This area
5.8%
State
-22.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
38.6%
This area
38.6%
State
-6.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
33.3 years
This area
33.3 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
12.3%
This area
12.3%
State
15.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 50.2%
White 38.4%
Other/Mixed 9.2%
Hispanic/Latino 5.1%
Asian 2.1%
👶 Under 18
19.7%
This area
19.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
13.8%
This area
13.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
15.3%
This area
15.3%
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 38111

B+ Avg School Grade
7 Schools
14.7:1 Avg Class Size
$15,292 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

East High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
615 Students
👨‍🏫
14.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
A Very Good

Sharpe Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
304 Students
👨‍🏫
13.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
A Very Good

Sherwood Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
670 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
A Very Good

South Park Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
494 Students
👨‍🏫
13.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Sherwood Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
548 Students
👨‍🏫
16.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Leadership Preparatory Charter School

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
437 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
B Good

Arrow Academy of Excellence

📚 K – 05 Elementary Charter
👥
83 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A Very Good

Rozelle Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 993 Roland, Memphis
👥
227 Students
👨‍🏫
11.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
A Very Good

University Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
📍 330 Innovation DR, Memphis
👥
268 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Bethel Grove Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 2459 Arlington Ave, Memphis
👥
299 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Alcy Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
📍 1750 E Alcy Rd, Memphis
👥
732 Students
👨‍🏫
16.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Campus School

📚 K – 05 Elementary
📍 535 Zach Curlin, Memphis
👥
407 Students
👨‍🏫
16.3:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 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 2,760 Off-Campus Students
C+
University of Memphis
21,736 students · 0.7 mi
D
Paul Mitchell the School-Memphis
189 students · 1.4 mi
C
Empire Beauty School-E Memphis
216 students · 2.4 mi
C
Christian Brothers University
2,043 students · 2.5 mi
C
Memphis Theological Seminary
195 students · 2.7 mi
D
Concorde Career College-Memphis
420 students · 3.0 mi
C+
Massage Institute of Memphis
20 students · 3.2 mi
F
Strayer University-Tennessee
2,920 students · 3.4 mi

Investor Insight: With 2,760 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TN a landlord-friendly state?

TN law landlord-friendly for landlords, and Memphis inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

What investment strategy works best in Memphis, TN?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Memphis, TN best. The market produces reliable results for that approach at the $134K price point.

Is housing expensive in Memphis, TN?

Expect median prices around $134K in Memphis, TN. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been reliable.

Is Memphis, TN a smart market for rental property?

Memphis, TN stands at an investability rating of 3.0/5, with median home values near $134K and average rents around $1,289/mo. That combination puts it in the notable tier for investor interest.

Are renters plentiful in Memphis, TN?

The tenant pool in Memphis, TN is solid, supported by local employment and population fundamentals. Rents of $1,289/mo are well-absorbed by the market.

You know 38111 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 38111 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 38111 ranks in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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