Knoxville
Investment Analysis

Knoxville, TN
Investor Report

Comprehensive real estate investment analysis with cap rates, rental yields, and risk assessment.

Share:
42
Investment Score
Hold
Cap Rate (Est.)
2.3%
Gross Yield
3.8%
P/R Ratio
24.5x
YoY Growth
+0.8%
Median Home Price
$320,000
Average Rent (1BR)
$1,000/mo
Median Income
$50,183
Population
198,175

Investment Breakdown

27
Value Score
58
Growth Score
32
Safety Score
57
Afford Score

Knoxville has a price-to-rent ratio of 24.5x, which indicates renting and buying are roughly equal.

The estimated cap rate of 2.3% is below average, typical of appreciation-focused markets.

Year-over-year price growth of +0.8% indicates stable market conditions.

Rental Cash Flow Analysis

Monthly Income

Gross Rent $1,000
Annual Gross $12,000

Est. Monthly Expenses

Property Tax (~1.5%) -$400
Insurance (~0.5%) -$133
Maintenance (~1%) -$267
Est. Net Cash Flow $200/mo

Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

๐Ÿ”ฎ Knoxville Price Forecast 2026โ€“2028

Based on 5-year Zillow ZHVI trend analysis ยท Statistical projection
๐Ÿ“ˆ Upward Trend
PROJECTEDNOW$361K2027$414Kโ–ฒ 14.9%2028$442Kโ–ฒ 22.5%20232024Now
$464K$298K
Current
$320K
2026
Projected
$414K
โ†‘ 14.9% by 2027
Projected
$442K
โ†‘ 22.5% by 2028
5yr CAGR:+9.8%
Confidence:High
Rยฒ:0.88
โ–ผ

For anyone asking will Knoxville home prices drop, the current data suggests a plateau rather than a correction, with the YoY Price Change sitting at just 0.5%. This cooling follows a massive run-up, evidenced by a 5-Year Price Change of 61.9%. The Price-to-Rent Ratio stands at a high 27.1x, significantly above the national average, indicating that purchasing power is stretched thin relative to rental income. With a Market Temperature of 63/100, the frenzy has definitely subsided, leading to a "Buy/Rent Verdict" of RENT as the financially prudent choice for the immediate future.

Looking ahead to the Knoxville housing market forecast for 2026-2028, the local economy provides a sturdy floor for a soft landing. Knoxville benefits from the stability of the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which anchor a diverse job market in energy, research, and healthcare. However, affordability remains a growing concern as prices have outpaced wage growth. The Days on Market of 39 days indicates that while homes aren't flying off the shelves instantly, demand hasn't evaporated. Inventory levels will be the key determinant; if new construction continues to lag behind population growth, prices could stabilize sooner than expected.

In the context of Knoxville real estate Knoxville 2027, the outlook is balanced but cautious. The Risk Grade of A suggests that the market fundamentals are strong, protecting against a crash, yet the Median Home Price of $360,650 combined with a 5-Year CAGR of 9.9% signals that the era of double-digit appreciation is likely over. We expect growth to normalize closer to inflation levels, perhaps in the 2-4% range annually. Buyers should wait for better entry points or rate improvements, while long-term holders will likely see steady, sustainable equity growth driven by the region's enduring appeal.

Projected Cap Rate (2027)
1.8%
5yr CAGR
+9.8%

Job Market

Unemployment 3.3%
National avg: 3.7%
Job Growth (YoY) +2.5%

Healthcare

67
Score
Below Avg

Risk Factors

High Crime Area

Market Activity

Source: Redfin ยท 2026-01-31
Sale-to-List 97.0%
Months Supply 4.5
Price Drops 25%
Gone in 2 Wks 32%

Market Position

Affordability Below Avg
Safety Higher Risk

ROI Projector Estimate your total return

Adjust the sliders to model different investment scenarios for Knoxville.

Total ROI
-115%
on $64,000 invested
Annual ROI
NaN%
compounded
Total Return
-$73,614
appreciation + cashflow
Mo. Cash Flow
-$1,519
year 1 estimate
Equity Growth Over 5 Years
Y169kY274kY380kY485kY591k
Appreciation
$12,181
Cash Flow
-$85,796
Final Equity
$91,183

* Estimates based on 0.8% annual appreciation, 3% rent growth, 5% vacancy. Does not include closing costs, tax benefits, or capital gains tax. For illustrative purposes only.

Rental Investment Calculator Estimate your monthly cashflow

Rental Income Estimator

Pre-filled for Knoxville

Property

Purchase Price$320,000
Monthly Rent$1,000
Down Payment20%

Financing

Interest Rate6.5%

Expenses

Property Tax1.2%
Insurance (Annual)$1,500
Maintenance Reserve1%
Vacancy Rate5%
Property Management0%
HOA (Monthly)$0
-$1,380
Monthly Cash Flow
-$16,557/ year
-25.9%
Cash-on-Cash
0.9%
Cap Rate

Monthly Breakdown

+ Rental Income$1,000
โˆ’ Mortgage (P&I)$1,618
โˆ’ Property Tax$320
โˆ’ Insurance$125
โˆ’ Maintenance$267
โˆ’ Vacancy Loss$50
= Net Cash Flow-$1,380

Investment Summary

Down Payment
$64,000
Loan Amount
$256,000
Total Monthly Expenses
$2,380
Gross Yield
3.8%

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be made after consulting with qualified professionals. Data sources include Zillow, Census Bureau, and BLS. Cap rates and yields are estimates based on available data.

Last updated: March 2026