Real Estate Investing in Clifton, Tennessee (38425)

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

Wayne County • Population: 3,599 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 38425 (Clifton, TN)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (64/100)

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

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

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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 34.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 22.4% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Clifton, TN (38425)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

2.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $171,421
Avg Monthly Rent $891
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $44,813
% Renters 26.8%

Market Analysis: 38425 Clifton

The 38425 ZIP in Clifton, TN is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $171K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $171K asset, 38425 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Within TN, ZIP 38425 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Wayne County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and notable enough to shape underwriting.

In practical terms, 3,599 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.

Strategy in 38425 is an operator game, not a passive one. Looking more closely, entry prices of $171K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

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 Clifton:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 63/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
18/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $891/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.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$184K$162K$140K$117K$95K$72KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 38425 Compare?

Metric 38425 Clifton Tennessee
Home Value $171,421 $171,421 $327,001
5-Year CAGR 4.6% 4.6% 7.7%
Avg Rent $891 $891 -
Cap Rate 4.1% 4.1% -
💡 Why Invest in 38425? Click to expand

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

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 38425 (Clifton, TN). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
4.1%
Fair
5yr Growth
+4.6%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $171,421
Monthly Rent $891
Price-to-Rent 16.0:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 6.2%
Cap Rate 4.1%
5-Year IRR 8.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +1.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +5.9% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 4.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.1%). 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
34.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+4.6%
Stable
Eviction process: Moderate Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 38425

Population: 3,599

💰 Median Household Income
$44,813
This area
$44,813
State
$60,881
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
26.8%
This area
26.8%
State
25.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
1.3%
This area
1.3%
State
-22.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
3.7%
This area
3.7%
State
-6.3%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
45.2 years
This area
45.2 years
State
9.9 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
34.5%
This area
34.5%
State
15.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 75.0%
Black/African American 14.5%
Other/Mixed 10.5%
Hispanic/Latino 1.9%
👶 Under 18
12.5%
This area
12.5%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.9%
This area
14.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
22.4%
This area
22.4%
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 38425

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
9.2:1 Avg Class Size
$12,698 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Frank Hughes School

📚 Pre-K – 12 K-12
👥
304 Students
👨‍🏫
9.2:1 Class Size
💰
$12,698 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which investment style suits Clifton, TN?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Clifton, TN best. The market produces consistent results for that approach at the $171K price point.

Is Clifton, TN a friendly market for rental owners?

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

What do landlords charge for rent in Clifton, TN?

Expect rents around $891/mo per month in Clifton, TN. With home values at $171K, the yield math works out to reasonable levels for rental investors.

How tight is the rental market in Clifton, TN?

Clifton, TN carries elevated vacancy risk. Expect consistent absorption at market rents of $891/mo.

What does house hacking look like in Clifton, TN?

The a challenging house-hack environment in Clifton, TN reflects the rent-to-price spread. Expect meaningful PITI offset at market rents.

You know 38425 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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