High-cost counties in Tennessee
14 counties have a loan limit above the national baseline of $832,750. Every other county in Tennessee uses the baseline.
| County | 1 unit | 2 units | 4 units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannon | $1,029,250 | $1,317,650 | $1,979,350 |
| Cheatham | $1,029,250 | $1,317,650 | $1,979,350 |
| Davidson | $1,029,250 | $1,317,650 | $1,979,350 |
| Dickson | $1,029,250 | $1,317,650 | $1,979,350 |
| Hickman | $1,029,250 | $1,317,650 | $1,979,350 |
| Macon | $1,029,250 | $1,317,650 | $1,979,350 |
| Maury | $1,029,250 | $1,317,650 | $1,979,350 |
| Robertson | $1,029,250 | $1,317,650 | $1,979,350 |
| Rutherford | $1,029,250 | $1,317,650 | $1,979,350 |
| Smith | $1,029,250 | $1,317,650 | $1,979,350 |
| Sumner | $1,029,250 | $1,317,650 | $1,979,350 |
| Trousdale | $1,029,250 | $1,317,650 | $1,979,350 |
| Williamson | $1,029,250 | $1,317,650 | $1,979,350 |
| Wilson | $1,029,250 | $1,317,650 | $1,979,350 |
Disabled veteran property tax in Tennessee
Tax relief on the first portion of market value, subject to a cap set each year.
On a $400,000 home, Tennessee property tax runs about $2,680 a year at the state average rate of 0.67 percent. A qualifying exemption brings that down to about $2,680.
Two things catch people out, Tennessee included. The exemption is not automatic, you file with your county assessor, usually with a VA benefits summary letter showing your rating. And deadlines are local, often early in the tax year. Full detail for every state is on our property tax exemption calculator.
Residual income in Tennessee
Debt to income gets the attention, but residual income is what actually approves or kills a VA file. It is the money left over each month after your mortgage, every debt, income taxes, childcare and estimated home maintenance. Tennessee sits in the VA South region.
| Household size | Minimum left over each month |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $441 |
| 2 people | $738 |
| 3 people | $889 |
| 4 people | $1,003 |
| 5 people | $1,039 |
Add $80 for each person beyond five. If your debt to income ratio is above 41 percent, the requirement rises by 20 percent. Run yours on the residual income calculator.
Tennessee has no state income tax, so more of your pay is take-home. That lifts the residual income a lender calculates for you, which is the number that actually decides a VA approval.
Buying a duplex or fourplex in Tennessee
A VA loan can buy up to four units with zero down as long as you live in one of them, and rent from the other units counts toward qualifying at roughly 75 percent of market value. The limit rises with unit count: $832,750 for a single family, $1,066,250 for a duplex and $1,601,750 for a fourplex at baseline. See the entitlement calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the VA loan limit in Tennessee?
With full entitlement there is no VA loan limit in Tennessee at all. If part of your entitlement is tied up in another loan, the county conforming limit applies, starting at $832,750 for a single family home. 14 Tennessee counties sit above that.
Do disabled veterans pay property tax in Tennessee?
Tennessee offers relief, but the amount depends on local factors. Confirm the current amount with your county assessor.
How much residual income do I need for a VA loan in Tennessee?
Tennessee sits in the VA South region. A family of three needs $889 left over each month after the mortgage, all debts, taxes and estimated maintenance. It rises with family size, and by 20 percent if your debt to income ratio is above 41 percent.
Can I buy a home in Tennessee with no money down?
Yes. A VA loan requires no down payment and charges no monthly mortgage insurance, in Tennessee or anywhere else. A one-time funding fee applies, waived entirely if you receive VA disability compensation at 10 percent or higher.
What is the average property tax rate in Tennessee?
Tennessee averages about 0.67 percent of home value a year, roughly $2,680 on a $400,000 home before any veteran exemption. A qualifying veteran exemption reduces it.
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