Nashville, TN, Investor Yield Index
At standard terms, a median Nashville rental does not cash-flow today. It scores 13/100 (grade D) and ranks #15 of 18 tracked metros. At the Nashville-Davidson median of $317,204 renting near $1,798/mo, the estimated DSCR is 0.70 and cash-on-cash is -6.38% at a 6.80% loan rate, which sits below the 1.2 lender minimum.
Prices and rents are live Zillow medians. The 6.80% 30-year rate is a current market estimate. Neither is a lender quote, so run your real numbers below.
Index 13/100 · rank #15
Cap rate
Gross yield
Median price
DSCR
Cash-on-cash
Monthly rent
GRM
Run the numbers on a Nashville deal
Pre-filled with Nashville medians. Adjust price, rent, and rate to your actual deal.
Assumptions: 25% down + 3% closing costs, 40% opex/vacancy load 30-year amortization. Lenders typically require DSCR ≥ 1.2. Estimates, not a quote.
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Common questions about Nashville
Is Nashville, TN a good market for rental investors in 2026?
On the Investor Yield Index it scores 13/100 (grade D), ranking #15 of 18 tracked metros. The median price is $317,204 with rent around $1,798/mo, producing an estimated 4.08% cap rate and 0.70 DSCR at a 6.80% financing rate. At today's rates only 4 of the 18 tracked metros clear the 1.2 DSCR line on default terms, so the score is best read as where Nashville stands relative to other markets.
What is the cap rate in Nashville?
The model estimates a 4.08% cap rate at the median price-to-rent ratio, assuming a 40% operating-expense load. Your actual cap rate depends on the specific property and expenses.
Will a rental in Nashville qualify for a DSCR loan?
It’s tight. The estimated DSCR of 0.70 is below the typical 1.2 minimum at 6.80%; a larger down payment or rate buydown may be needed to qualify.
Markets ranked near Nashville
The closest metros above and below Nashville on the index, plus the top markets for comparison.
Orlando, FL
Atlanta, GA
Charlotte, NC
Dallas, TX
Las Vegas, NV
Austin, TX
Phoenix, AZ
Cleveland, OH
Memphis, TN
Index assumptions, 25% down, a 40% operating-expense load, 30-year amortization, and a 6.80% loan rate. DSCR is net operating income divided by annual debt service, lenders typically want at least 1.2. Cap rate, gross yield, DSCR, and cash-on-cash are weighted 30, 20, 30, and 20 percent. Prices and rents are live Zillow medians for the 18 tracked metros, the 6.80% 30-year rate is a current market estimate, and the numbers are for relative comparison, not lender quotes or investment advice.