Real Estate Investing in Memphis, Tennessee (38127)

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

Shelby County • Population: 39,553 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 38127 (Memphis, TN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (66/100)

Mixed — values have been flat. OK for long-horizon buyers, less attractive if you may need to sell soon.

📈 For Investors
STRONG
4.0 / 5 (86/100)

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
4 flags
  • High vacancy: 20.9% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (1.4% CAGR).
  • Elevated poverty: 30.3% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Lower household income: $34,781 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

What’s happening in Memphis, TN (38127)?

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4.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

5.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $90,463
Avg Monthly Rent $1,077
1% Rule ✓ Meets
Median Income $34,781
% Renters 54.9%

Market Analysis: 38127 Memphis

Investors scanning Memphis, TN for forced-equity plays often land on the 38127 ZIP. A a strong candidate for entry near $90K pairs with rents of $1,077/mo to widen the renovation window.

ZIP 38127 favors investors with a contractor on speed dial. Stepping back, the turnkey yield looks ordinary, a renovated unit pulls stronger rent than the unrenovated $1,077/mo average.

Relative to TN, 38127 reads as a working-capital ZIP — prices below average, renter share elevated at 55%, and room for operator-led upside.

Residents in 38127 skew younger than the county average, and that matters for rehab positioning. Younger renters respond to finishes, appliances, and in-unit laundry in ways that move rent.

Strategic fit here is operational. Pro forma discipline, capex reserves, and lender relationships matter more than the marketing pitch.

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 2.6× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-2.4%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,077/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 38127

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
12.3% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+7.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$29,508/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $69,525 $1,190 12.3% +7.6% $34,763
3BR $92,054 $1,570 12.3% +6.2% $30,685
4BR $118,715 $1,830 11.1% +6.1% $29,679
5BR $147,538 +4.3% $29,508

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$106K$89K$73K$57K$40K$24KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,111$1,035$959$883$807$731Sep 2020Aug 2023Jul 2026

📊 How Does 38127 Compare?

Metric 38127 Memphis Memphis, TN-MS-AR Tennessee
Home Value $90,463 $150,680 N/A $327,001
5-Year CAGR 1.4% 2.6% N/A 7.7%
Avg Rent $1,077 $1,243 N/A -
Cap Rate 9.3% 6.8% - -
💡 Why Invest in 38127? Click to expand

This ZIP code meets the 1% rule with rent at $1,077/mo on homes averaging $90,463 — a strong indicator of cash flow potential.

Our analysis gives this area a 4/5 investability rating, placing it in the top tier for rental property potential.

55% 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 38127 (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
Excellent
Cap Rate
9.3%
Excellent
5yr Growth
+1.4%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $90,463
Monthly Rent $1,077
Price-to-Rent 7.0:1
1% Rule ✓ Passes

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 14.3%
Cap Rate 9.3%
5-Year IRR 10.7%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -2.4% ▼
3-Year CAGR -0.4% ▼
5-Year CAGR +1.4% ▲
10-Year CAGR +9.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -0.1% ▼
3-Year CAGR +3.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.4% ▲
Positive Leverage Market Cap Rate: 9.3%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage may enhance returns here.

The estimated cap rate (9.3%) exceeds the current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%). When borrowing costs less than a property yields, leverage can increase your cash-on-cash return above the cap rate.

⚠️ Risk Signals

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

Vacancy
20.9%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.4%
Flat
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 38127

Population: 39,553

💰 Median Household Income
$34,781
This area
$34,781
State
$60,881
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
54.9%
This area
54.9%
State
25.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.3%
This area
5.3%
State
-22.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
11.2%
This area
11.2%
State
-6.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
31.4 years
This area
31.4 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
20.9%
This area
20.9%
State
15.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
Black/African American 85.4%
White 10.1%
Other/Mixed 4.0%
Hispanic/Latino 2.0%
Asian 0.4%
👶 Under 18
33.2%
This area
33.2%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
11.8%
This area
11.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
30.3%
This area
30.3%
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 38127

B Avg School Grade
21 Schools
16.5:1 Avg Class Size
$15,114 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Delano Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
315 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
A Very Good

Westside Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
325 Students
👨‍🏫
15.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
A Very Good

Compass Community School Frayser Campus

📚 K – 08 School Charter
👥
204 Students
👨‍🏫
11.7:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Georgian Hills Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
269 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Memphis Business Academy Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary Charter
👥
307 Students
👨‍🏫
14.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Memphis Business Academy High School

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
511 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Hawkins Mill Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
308 Students
👨‍🏫
17.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Northaven Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
338 Students
👨‍🏫
15.4:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Trezevant High

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
549 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Memphis STEM Academy

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary Charter
👥
243 Students
👨‍🏫
13.5:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Georgian Hills Middle

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
271 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
B Good

Frayser-Corning Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
358 Students
👨‍🏫
19.1:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
B Good

Grandview Heights Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
415 Students
👨‍🏫
18.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
B Good

Lucie E. Campbell Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
629 Students
👨‍🏫
18.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
B Good

Whitney Elementary

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary
👥
359 Students
👨‍🏫
18.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,292 Per Student
B Good

Cornerstone Prep Denver Campus

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary Charter
👥
649 Students
👨‍🏫
15.1:1 Class Size
💰
$13,599 Per Student
B Good

Martin Luther King Preparatory High School

📚 09 – 12 High School Charter
👥
491 Students
👨‍🏫
17.6:1 Class Size
C+ Average

Primary Prepatory

📚 Grade PK Elementary Limited Data
💰
$15,292 Per Student
C+ Average

Trezevant Career and Technology Center

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$15,292 Per Student
C+ Average

Libertas

📚 Pre-K – 05 Elementary Charter
👥
515 Students
👨‍🏫
24.5:1 Class Size
💰
$13,599 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 620 Off-Campus Students
C
Vibe Barber College
63 students · 5.1 mi
B
Rhodes College
1,952 students · 6.0 mi
C
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis
1,691 students · 6.2 mi
C
William R Moore College of Technology
461 students · 6.4 mi
C+
Visible Music College
182 students · 6.7 mi
C
Southern College of Optometry
525 students · 6.9 mi
C+
Baptist Health Sciences University
755 students · 6.9 mi
C
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
3,121 students · 6.9 mi

Investor Insight: With 620 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are rental rates like in Memphis, TN?

Average rent in Memphis, TN is approximately $1,077/mo per month. Against $90K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

Is the 1% rule achievable in Memphis, TN?

With $1,077/mo rents against $90K home prices, Memphis, TN produces a 1.19% ratio. That is reasonable proximity to the 1% threshold.

What does house hacking look like in Memphis, TN?

For house hackers, Memphis, TN is an attractive. The $1,077/mo rent on a unit helps defray the mortgage on a $90K property.

How well does BRRRR work in Memphis, TN?

BRRRR works a strong in Memphis, TN. With $90K ARVs and $1,077/mo rents, investors who buy right can refinance out most of their capital.

Are homes affordable in Memphis, TN?

Memphis, TN median home values land near $90K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,077/mo-per-month rentals.

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How 38127 ranks in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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