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MarketsTennesseeDyersburgCost of Living & Affordability

Cost of Living & Affordability: Dyersburg, TN

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Dyersburg, TN

Cap Rate
4.65%
Median Price
$165K
Rent/Mo
$890
1% Rule
0.54%
Fails

Housing Affordability

Dyersburg's price-to-income ratio is 3.1x — homes cost 3.1 times the local median household income of $53,744. This is very affordable by national standards. A household earning the median income could qualify for a home at the median price with a standard mortgage, which means rental demand comes from lifestyle choice and transient populations rather than inability to buy. The national average price-to-income ratio is approximately 4.5x, putting Dyersburg below the national norm.

Rent vs Buy Analysis

A typical mortgage payment on a median-priced home in Dyersburg (20% down at 7%) is approximately $878/mo for principal and interest alone — add taxes and insurance and the all-in payment reaches roughly $1,022/mo. The median rent of $890/mo is less than the cost of buying, supporting healthy rental demand from cost-conscious households who recognize that renting is the more affordable option in the near term. When renting is this much cheaper than buying, landlords benefit from a deep and sticky tenant pool that has strong economic reasons to keep renting. The gap between $890 in rent and $1,022 in ownership costs is a structural driver of your occupancy rates.

Income & Employment

The median household income in Dyersburg is $53,744, with a population of 50,000 growing at 1.6% per year. Dyersburg is a smaller market. Research the local employment base carefully — smaller cities can be significantly impacted by a single employer relocating or downsizing. Hospital systems, universities, and military bases provide the most stable employment in small markets. Moderate incomes support a working-class to middle-class tenant base.

Renter Demographics

At just 20% of income going to rent, Dyersburg tenants have significant disposable income after housing costs. This translates to reliable rent payments, lower eviction risk, and willingness to pay premiums for quality units. The affordable rent ceiling based on 30% of median income is $1,344/mo. Current rents are well below this ceiling, giving landlords room to push rents on upgraded units without exceeding affordability limits. Renters here include a mix of young professionals not yet ready to buy and transient populations.

Market Stability

Dyersburg is a smaller market with flat growth. Stability depends heavily on the local employment base. The tight 5.7% vacancy rate signals strong current demand with little risk of near-term oversupply. Diversify across 2-3 neighborhoods within Dyersburg to reduce sub-market concentration risk.

Investment Sizing

Entry into Dyersburg's rental market requires approximately $37,950 in total capital per property — $33,000 for the 20% down payment plus roughly $4,950 in closing costs, inspections, and initial repairs. This is an exceptionally low barrier to entry. An investor with $150,000 in deployable capital could acquire 2-3 properties, diversifying across neighborhoods and reducing per-unit risk. The low price point makes Dyersburg one of the most accessible markets for first-time investors. Maintain reserves of at least 6 months of expenses (approximately $6,132 per property) before acquiring. The optimal portfolio size in Dyersburg depends on your capital and management capacity, but 3-5 properties provides meaningful diversification while remaining manageable for a hands-on investor.

What This Means for Investors

Dyersburg is affordable with moderate returns. Focus on volume — the low entry point lets you scale to multiple properties faster than in more expensive markets. The bottom line: Dyersburg's cost of living profile supports rental investment with disciplined deal selection.

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How Dyersburg Compares

Dyersburg vs Tennessee state average and national average across key investment metrics. Dyersburg outperforms both benchmarks on cap rate.

Metric
Dyersburg
Tennessee Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
4.65%
4.12%
3.81%
Median Price
$165K
$297K
$333K
Median Rent
$890
$1,419
$1,524
Property Tax
0.65%
0.65%
1.08%
Vacancy
5.7%
5.7%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
1.6%/yr
1.6%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby South Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Dyersburg, TN
4.7%
$165K
$890
0.65%
Dublin, GA
5.3%
$165K
$1,030
0.93%
Parkersburg, WV
4.8%
$165K
$920
0.58%
Vidalia, GA
7.8%
$165K
$1,400
0.93%
Waycross, GA
6.4%
$165K
$1,190
0.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dyersburg affordable for renters?
Renters in Dyersburg spend approximately 20% of median household income on rent. This is within the standard 30% affordability threshold, suggesting renters have room in their budgets. The median household income is $53,744, below the level needed for comfortable renting.
What is the price-to-income ratio in Dyersburg?
Dyersburg's price-to-income ratio is 3.1x, meaning homes cost 3.1 times the local median income. This is very affordable — below the 4x threshold that typically signals a healthy buyer's market.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Dyersburg?
A mortgage payment (20% down, 7% rate) on the median $165K home is approximately $878/mo before taxes and insurance. Adding those costs brings it to roughly $1,022/mo. The median rent of $890/mo is less than the cost of buying — this parity means some renters could transition to buying.
How does Dyersburg's cost of living compare to the national average?
Home prices in Dyersburg ($165K) are 51% below the national average. Rents ($890/mo) are 42% below average. Property taxes (0.65%) are below the 1.08% national average.
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More Dyersburg Guides

Rental Property Investment GuideRent AnalysisProperty Tax GuideAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

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