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Market MapTennesseePutnam

Putnam County

TennesseePopulation: 80,157
60
/100
Hold
#0 of 0 counties
#32 in Tennessee (95 counties)
Analysis by RentalCalcs Research·Independent data + algorithm-driven scoring
Updated July 20, 2026Sources: Zillow ZHVI, Zillow ZORI, US Census ACS, Tax Foundation

Market Snapshot

$319,411
Median Home Price
0% below national median
$1,564/mo
Median Rent
0% below national median
5.88%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
Top 50% nationally
-$657
Est. Monthly Cash Flow
With 20% down at 6.9% rate

Scenario comparison

Same $1,564/mo rent assumption, 20% down, 6.85% rate. What changes is the acquisition price.
ScenarioPurchase priceMonthly cash flowCap rateCash-on-cash
75% of median
value-add or distressed
$239,558-$239/mo5.1%-5.2%
Median
typical MLS deal
$319,411-$657/mo3.8%-10.7%
125% of median
newer / premium
$399,263-$1,076/mo3.1%-14.1%

Price History

Median Home Price

Median Rent

Historical data from Zillow ZHVI/ZORI

Quick Investment Calculator

20%
5%50%100%

Purchase

Purchase Price$319,411
Down Payment (20%)$63,882
Loan Amount$255,529
Interest Rate6.85%

Monthly Cash Flow

Gross Rent+$1,564
Monthly P&I-$1,674
Est. Expenses (35%)-$547
Net Cash Flow-$657/mo
3.8%
Cap Rate (all cash)
-10.7%
Cash-on-Cash Return
5.88%
Rent-to-Price Ratio
Negative leverage: At 6.85% rates, borrowing costs exceed the 3.8% cap rate. All-cash buyers may see better returns.

* Based on county median values. 35% expenses include taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and property management. Actual results vary by property.

Run Full AnalysisTry House Hack Strategy

Score Breakdown

Overall Investment Score
60/100
60
Cash Flow(30%)
58/100

Based on 5.88% rent-to-price ratio. Higher ratios indicate stronger cash flow potential.

Appreciation(25%)
70/100

Based on 2.0% YoY price growth. Moderate growth (3-8%) scores highest.

Stability(25%)
50/100

Population data not available.

Affordability(20%)
62/100

Based on price relative to estimated local incomes.

Scores are calculated using real Zillow home value and rent data, Census population data, and economic indicators. The weighted average produces the overall investment score. Markets with missing rent data use estimated values based on regional averages.

Investment Outlook

Strengths

  • +Complete rent data available

Challenges

  • -Negative cash flow at typical financing (-$657/mo)
  • -Negative leverage (cap rate 3.8% < mortgage rate 6.9%)

Economic Indicators

Population
80,157
Median Income
—
Data pending
Unemployment Rate
—
Data pending
Price-to-Income
—
Data pending

Who this market fits

Best for
  • +All-cash buyers: removing debt service flips the cap rate to actual yield
Skip if
  • −You need positive cash flow on day one at typical leverage
  • −You can't tolerate negative leverage (cap rate below mortgage rate today)

Compare to Nearby Counties

CountyVerdict
ShelbyTN
61$215,746$1,3647.58%BuyView
CurrentPutnamTN
60$319,411$1,5645.88%Buy
MadisonTN
60$222,286$1,3867.48%BuyView
HaywoodTN
58$167,218$1,0137.27%HoldView
WayneTN
58$172,328Est. pending—HoldView
FayetteTN
58$366,798$1,9416.35%HoldView

The Bottom Line

HoldPutnam scores well overall, but a typical leveraged buy-and-hold loses $657/mo at current rates. Consider house hacking, value-add, or all-cash; otherwise a worse score with positive cash flow may be the better deal.

Putnam County in Tennessee scores 60/100, ranking #0 of 0 US counties (top 50%). At 20% down and current rates, a median-priced rental loses about $657/month; the 5.88% gross rent-to-price ratio doesn't survive debt service. The thesis here is appreciation, value-add, house hacking, or all-cash.

Monthly Cash Flow
$-657/mo
Cap Rate
3.8%
Cash-on-Cash
-10.7%

Related markets

Markets like Putnam with stronger cash flow

  • Shelby County for cash-flow rentals
  • Madison County for cash-flow rentals
  • Haywood County for cash-flow rentals

Cheaper alternatives to Putnam

  • Haywood County, lower entry price
  • Wayne County, lower entry price
  • Shelby County, lower entry price

Head-to-head comparisons

  • Putnam vs Madison for rentals
  • Putnam vs Shelby for rentals
  • Putnam vs Haywood for rentals
All counties in Tennessee →

Rent vs buy in Tennessee cities

Rent vs buy in Nashville, TNMedian $429,292 · rent $1,780/moRent vs buy in Memphis, TNMedian $215,746 · rent $1,364/moRent vs buy in Knoxville, TNMedian $369,942 · rent $1,788/moRent vs buy in Chattanooga, TNMedian $347,463 · rent $1,500/moRent vs buy in Clarksville, TNMedian $318,518 · rent $1,386/moAll Tennessee citiesFull rent-vs-buy directory for the state

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