HOME SAFETY TN

Is Knoxville, TN Safe to Buy? Home Safety Score 66/100

Score 66/100 · Risk: moderate · Home Safety Grade C · Updated

Knoxville has moderate risk. Some factors warrant attention during the home buying process.

Score data: EPA SDWIS, EPA PFAS monitoring, EPA Radon Zones, EPA Air Quality Index Last verified:

Remediation costs in Knoxville sit toward the more affordable end of what home safety work typically runs.

Home Safety Grade

ZIPs Over Lead Limit

0.28%

A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Zone 1

Radon (High)

AQI (Moderate)

$500

Est. Remediation

0.2%

Equity Trap Ratio

What is a home safety score?

Home Safety Score model 4.0.0 combines EPA SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, UCMR5 PFAS, EPA radon zone, and annual AQI with complete coverage. Knoxville scores 66/100 with a "moderate" risk level.

Remediation Cost Breakdown

Estimated costs to address safety issues for a typical home in Knoxville:

Pfas $500

Cost ranges are estimates based on national averages. Actual costs vary by property. Get 3 quotes before proceeding.

Per-ZIP Home Safety Scores

Safety scores vary across Knoxville's 31 ZIP codes.

ZIP Code	Score	Grade
37924	64	C	View report →
37938	64	C	View report →
37934	65	C	View report →
37909	66	C	View report →
37918	66	C	View report →
37920	66	C	View report →
37921	66	C	View report →
37923	66	C	View report →
37931	66	C	View report →
37932	66	C	View report →
37902	67	C	View report →
37912	67	C	View report →
37914	67	C	View report →
37915	67	C	View report →
37916	67	C	View report →

Home Safety Overview

Knoxville, Tennessee has moderate risk for homebuyers. The average home safety score is 66/100 across 18 ZIP codes. Some risk factors warrant attention during the home buying process.

Safety Score Card

A composite view of Knoxville's key risk indicators:

Risk Factor	Value	Assessment
Water Compliance	9 EPA violations across 18 direct ZIP records	Recorded violations
Lead Risk	0.0011 mg/L	Low risk
Flood Risk	28% of claim-record ZIPs have A/V-family dominant recorded rated zones	Historical claims evidence
Radon	Zone 1 (High)	Elevated risk
Air Quality	AQI 54 (Moderate)	Moderate risk

Cost to Fix: Remediation Breakdown

Estimated costs to address safety issues for a typical home in Knoxville:

Component	Estimated Cost
Pfas	$500
Total (low estimate)	$300
Total (mid estimate)	$500
Total (high estimate)	$800

Cost ranges are estimates based on national averages and local data. Actual costs vary by property condition, contractor, and scope of work. Get 3 quotes before proceeding.

Per-ZIP Home Safety Scores

Home safety varies across Knoxville's ZIP codes. Lower scores indicate more risk factors:

ZIP Code	Safety Score	Grade
37924	64	C
37938	64	C
37934	65	C
37909	66	C
37918	66	C
37920	66	C
37921	66	C
37923	66	C
37931	66	C
37932	66	C
37902	67	C
37912	67	C
37914	67	C
37915	67	C
37916	67	C

Knoxville vs. Nearby Tennessee Cities

How Knoxville's overall risk compares to similar cities in Tennessee:

City	Home Safety Grade	Flood Claims	Population
Knoxville	C	543	442,846
Nashville	C	3,752	475,253
Murfreesboro	N/A	186	220,126
Chattanooga	B	1,517	213,011

Homebuyer Safety Checklist for Knoxville

Before purchasing a home in Knoxville, Tennessee, complete these checks:

Water Quality

Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from the water utility
Test tap water for lead, bacteria, and nitrates ($20-$50 for DIY kit)

Radon

Conduct a radon test ($15-$30 for short-term kit, $150-$300 for professional)
Knoxville is in Radon Zone 1 (High risk) - testing is strongly recommended

Flood Risk

Check the property's FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov
Ask about flood history and past insurance claims
Review the claims-only zone evidence: 28% of ZIPs with NFIP claim records have A/V-family dominant recorded rated zones. This does not replace an address-level FEMA map check.

Lead Paint & Pipes

For homes built before 1978: request lead paint disclosure
For homes built before 1986: inspect plumbing for lead solder and pipes
53% of Knoxville homes built before 1986 - pipe inspection recommended

General

Check for carbon monoxide detectors on every level
Inspect for visible mold, water stains, or musty odors
Verify the home's connection to a regulated public water system

Data Sources

Water quality: EPA SDWIS
Lead: EPA Lead and Copper Rule
Flood: FEMA NFIP
Radon: EPA Radon Zones
Air quality: EPA AirNow
Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25077
Remediation costs: National cost model (EPA, Census, FEMA data)

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.

Water Quality Map: Knoxville, TN

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Check your specific ZIP code

City averages can hide neighborhood-level risks. Enter your ZIP for a personalized home safety score.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Knoxville safe to buy a home?

Knoxville has a moderate risk rating (score: 66/100). Some factors like water quality or flood risk may warrant attention during the buying process.

What is the home safety score for Knoxville?

Knoxville has a Home Safety Score of 66 out of 100 under model 4.0.0, combining water compliance, PFAS, radon, and annual AQI with complete coverage.

How much does remediation cost in Knoxville?

The estimated average remediation cost for a typical home in Knoxville is $500. This includes potential costs for water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood-proofing based on local risk factors.

What is the equity trap ratio in Knoxville?

The equity trap ratio in Knoxville is 0.2%, which measures remediation costs as a percentage of median home value. This is low - remediation costs are a small fraction of home value.

Is radon a concern in Knoxville?

Knoxville is in EPA Radon Zone 1 (High risk). This is the highest risk zone - EPA recommends testing all homes.

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