Out of 787 ZIP codes with data in Tennessee, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All Tennessee Rankings
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| ZIP codes ranked | 787 |
| Highest value | 68/100 |
| Median value | 29/100 |
| State | Tennessee |
Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | State | Purchase Risk | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 38425 | Clifton | TN | 64/100 | 49/100 |
| 2 | 38562 | Gainesboro | TN | 62/100 | 40/100 |
| 3 | 37030 | Carthage | TN | 60/100 | 59/100 |
| 4 | 37069 | Franklin | TN | 55/100 | 43/100 |
| 5 | 38473 | Minor Hill | TN | 55/100 | 66/100 |
| 6 | 37185 | Waverly | TN | 54/100 | 54/100 |
| 7 | 37210 | Nashville | TN | 54/100 | 59/100 |
| 8 | 37412 | Chattanooga | TN | 54/100 | 64/100 |
| 9 | 37064 | Franklin | TN | 52/100 | 43/100 |
| 10 | 37096 | Linden | TN | 52/100 | 51/100 |
| 11 | 37216 | Nashville | TN | 52/100 | 59/100 |
| 12 | 37218 | Nashville | TN | 52/100 | 54/100 |
| 13 | 37407 | Chattanooga | TN | 52/100 | 74/100 |
| 14 | 37410 | Chattanooga | TN | 52/100 | 74/100 |
| 15 | 37012 | Alexandria | TN | 50/100 | 66/100 |
| 16 | 37151 | Riddleton | TN | 50/100 | 45/100 |
| 17 | 37061 | Erin | TN | 49/100 | 71/100 |
| 18 | 37204 | Nashville | TN | 49/100 | 54/100 |
| 19 | 37207 | Nashville | TN | 49/100 | 54/100 |
| 20 | 37404 | Chattanooga | TN | 49/100 | 69/100 |
| 21 | 37715 | Clairfield | TN | 49/100 | 68/100 |
| 22 | 37748 | Harriman | TN | 49/100 | 57/100 |
| 23 | 38301 | Jackson | TN | 49/100 | 54/100 |
| 24 | 38563 | Gordonsville | TN | 49/100 | 62/100 |
| 25 | 37074 | Hartsville | TN | 48/100 | 53/100 |
| 26 | 37087 | Lebanon | TN | 48/100 | 52/100 |
| 27 | 37110 | Mcminnville | TN | 48/100 | 53/100 |
| 28 | 37205 | Nashville | TN | 48/100 | 54/100 |
| 29 | 37211 | Nashville | TN | 47/100 | 54/100 |
| 30 | 37214 | Nashville | TN | 47/100 | 54/100 |
| 31 | 37406 | Chattanooga | TN | 47/100 | 74/100 |
| 32 | 37762 | Jellico | TN | 47/100 | 81/100 |
| 33 | 37857 | Rogersville | TN | 47/100 | 54/100 |
| 34 | 38585 | Spencer | TN | 47/100 | 58/100 |
| 35 | 37040 | Clarksville | TN | 46/100 | 65/100 |
| 36 | 37137 | Nunnelly | TN | 46/100 | 45/100 |
| 37 | 37160 | Shelbyville | TN | 46/100 | 57/100 |
| 38 | 37201 | Nashville | TN | 46/100 | 69/100 |
| 39 | 37217 | Nashville | TN | 46/100 | 59/100 |
| 40 | 37683 | Mountain City | TN | 46/100 | 66/100 |
| 41 | 37769 | Lake City | TN | 46/100 | 51/100 |
| 42 | 37215 | Nashville | TN | 45/100 | 54/100 |
| 43 | 37411 | Chattanooga | TN | 45/100 | 69/100 |
| 44 | 37658 | Hampton | TN | 45/100 | 76/100 |
| 45 | 37830 | Oak Ridge | TN | 45/100 | 69/100 |
| 46 | 38041 | Henning | TN | 45/100 | 81/100 |
| 47 | 38240 | Obion | TN | 45/100 | 85/100 |
| 48 | 38485 | Waynesboro | TN | 45/100 | 64/100 |
| 49 | 38549 | Byrdstown | TN | 45/100 | 63/100 |
| 50 | 38556 | Jamestown | TN | 45/100 | 78/100 |
| 51 | 37015 | Ashland City | TN | 44/100 | 67/100 |
| 52 | 37415 | Chattanooga | TN | 44/100 | 69/100 |
| 53 | 37665 | Kingsport | TN | 44/100 | 63/100 |
| 54 | 37687 | Roan Mountain | TN | 44/100 | 72/100 |
| 55 | 37722 | Cosby | TN | 44/100 | 71/100 |
| 56 | 37724 | Cumberland Gap | TN | 44/100 | 67/100 |
| 57 | 37917 | Knoxville | TN | 44/100 | 60/100 |
| 58 | 38049 | Mason | TN | 44/100 | 94/100 |
| 59 | 38375 | Selmer | TN | 44/100 | 70/100 |
| 60 | 37027 | Brentwood | TN | 43/100 | 52/100 |
| 61 | 37090 | Lebanon | TN | 43/100 | 62/100 |
| 62 | 37115 | Madison | TN | 43/100 | 55/100 |
| 63 | 37206 | Nashville | TN | 43/100 | 59/100 |
| 64 | 37220 | Nashville | TN | 43/100 | 64/100 |
| 65 | 37409 | Chattanooga | TN | 43/100 | 79/100 |
| 66 | 38457 | Five Points | TN | 43/100 | 53/100 |
| 67 | 38464 | Lawrenceburg | TN | 43/100 | 58/100 |
| 68 | 38478 | Pulaski | TN | 43/100 | 64/100 |
| 69 | 38486 | Westpoint | TN | 43/100 | 56/100 |
| 70 | 38575 | Moss | TN | 43/100 | 72/100 |
| 71 | 37033 | Centerville | TN | 42/100 | 63/100 |
| 72 | 37042 | Clarksville | TN | 42/100 | 65/100 |
| 73 | 37387 | Tracy City | TN | 42/100 | 88/100 |
| 74 | 37643 | Elizabethton | TN | 42/100 | 72/100 |
| 75 | 37660 | Kingsport | TN | 42/100 | 57/100 |
| 76 | 37765 | Kyles Ford | TN | 42/100 | 53/100 |
| 77 | 37807 | Maynardville | TN | 42/100 | 65/100 |
| 78 | 37820 | New Market | TN | 42/100 | 62/100 |
| 79 | 37890 | White Pine | TN | 42/100 | 63/100 |
| 80 | 38063 | Ripley | TN | 42/100 | 78/100 |
| 81 | 38327 | Crump | TN | 42/100 | 55/100 |
| 82 | 37043 | Clarksville | TN | 41/100 | 65/100 |
| 83 | 37143 | Pegram | TN | 41/100 | 50/100 |
| 84 | 37166 | Smithville | TN | 41/100 | 78/100 |
| 85 | 37209 | Nashville | TN | 41/100 | 54/100 |
| 86 | 37221 | Nashville | TN | 41/100 | 59/100 |
| 87 | 37356 | Monteagle | TN | 41/100 | 78/100 |
Methodology
The Home Purchase Risk Score combines area indicators that may lead to added costs for homebuyers: water system violation records, lead service line indicators, county radon potential, flood zones and housing age. An indicator does not mean a home needs filtration, mitigation, insurance or upgrades; a home test or inspection decides that. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.
Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-04-13.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?
This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.
What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?
Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.
Explore More Rankings
- Worst ZIP Codes for Lead in Water in Tennessee
- ZIP Codes with Most EPA Violations in Tennessee
- Lowest Home Safety Scores in Tennessee
- Safest ZIP Codes in Tennessee — Highest Safety Scores
- ZIP Codes with Highest Flood Risk in Tennessee
- ZIP Codes with Highest Energy Costs in Tennessee
- ZIP Codes with Highest Radon Risk in Tennessee
- ZIP Codes with PFAS Detections in Tennessee
- Least Reliable Water Systems in Tennessee
- Environmental Justice Concern Areas in Tennessee
- ZIP Codes with Worst CO & Gas Risk in Tennessee
- Safest ZIP Codes for Gas & CO Risk in Tennessee
- ZIP Codes with Worst Wildfire Smoke Risk
- Safest ZIP Codes for Wildfire Smoke
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