Thinking about a move to East Memphis because of a new job or a lifestyle change? You are not alone, and the big challenge is usually not whether East Memphis works, but which part of East Memphis fits your budget, commute, and day-to-day routine. If you want a practical look at housing costs, commute patterns, neighborhood options, and what the move process can really look like, this guide will help you get oriented fast. Let’s dive in.
Why East Memphis Works for Relocation
East Memphis can be a strong landing spot if you want access to major employers, established residential areas, and everyday amenities without treating your move like a guess. It is especially helpful to think about East Memphis through its key ZIP codes: 38117, 38119, and 38120.
That matters because these areas do not all move at the same price point. As of January 2026, 38117 shows a median home price of $292,450, median rent of $1,525, and median days on market of 89, while 38119 has a median home price of $307,000, median rent of $1,825, and median days on market of 87. In 38120, the median home price rises to $496,200, with median rent at $1,737 and median days on market at 99.
The practical takeaway is simple: East Memphis is not one single market. If you are relocating for work, your best move is to compare submarkets early so you can match your housing search to both your finances and your timeline.
East Memphis Commute Basics
If work is driving your move, commute routes matter just as much as home price. In East Memphis, the main travel patterns are built around Poplar Avenue, Walnut Grove Road, and I-240.
Several major employers and institutions are based in or near these corridors. Key examples include Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis at 6019 Walnut Grove Road, the University of Memphis main campus at 3720 Alumni Avenue, International Paper’s global headquarters at 6400 Poplar Avenue, and FedEx’s principal office at 942 South Shady Grove Road.
Traffic is a real part of the picture. According to TDOT’s 2025 update on I-240 improvements, the stretch from near Poplar Avenue to Summer Avenue carries about 176,000 vehicles daily. TDOT also notes the importance of the I-240/Airways interchange for airport, commuter, and truck traffic, while Memphis Transit Vision identified Union Avenue and Poplar as a future bus rapid transit corridor between downtown and the University of Memphis.
For many relocators, that means living closer to Poplar, Walnut Grove, or the I-240 loop may make everyday travel more manageable. If your job is tied to the medical, university, or corporate-office hubs of East Memphis, location within the area can make a noticeable difference in how your week feels.
Housing Options by Budget and Lifestyle
One of East Memphis’s biggest advantages is variety. Whether you want to lease first, buy something established, or target a higher-end home, there are useful pockets to compare.
Lease-First Areas to Consider
If you are moving from out of town and want flexibility first, several East Memphis areas support that approach. University District, Sherwood Forest, and Colonial Acres are good examples for renters or buyers who want to get settled before making a long-term decision.
University District currently shows 428 homes for sale and a median rental price of $1,285. Sherwood Forest shows 18 rental properties and a median rent of $1,460, while Colonial Acres has a median home price of $242,500 and median rent of $1,524.
These areas can make sense if your top priority is getting into Memphis, learning your commute, and giving yourself room to adjust. That kind of lease-first strategy can be especially helpful when your work start date comes before you feel ready to buy.
Established Residential Pockets
If you want an established residential setting without automatically moving into the top pricing tier, Audubon Park and Audubon Square Condominiums are worth knowing. These are useful examples of East Memphis options that can offer a more settled feel while staying accessible to core employment routes.
Audubon Park currently has 17 homes for sale, a median list price of $220,000, and median days on market of 56. Audubon Square Condominiums shows a median price of $169,900 with 10 for-sale listings.
For some buyers, this price point opens the door to ownership sooner than they expected. For others, condo living may be a simpler fit when work travel or a busy schedule makes lower-maintenance living appealing.
Upper-Tier East Memphis Options
If your move includes a larger housing budget or you are searching for a more executive-oriented property, River Oaks and the broader 38120 market are the clearest examples. This is where East Memphis shows a more noticeable jump in pricing.
River Oaks has a median home price of $511,900, 60 active listings, and a median of 82 days on market. The larger 38120 market has a median home sale price of $496,200, with neighborhood markers such as Poplar Estates at $409,250.
If you are comparing East Memphis to other relocation targets, 38120 is often the place where the market shifts from mid-range options into more upper-tier housing. Knowing that upfront can help you avoid wasting time in areas that do not align with your target budget.
Everyday Life in East Memphis
Relocation is not just about getting to work on time. It is also about what your evenings, weekends, and errands will feel like once the boxes are unpacked.
East Memphis has several well-known destinations that support everyday quality of life. The area includes the Memphis Botanic Garden, the Dixon Gallery & Gardens on Park Avenue, and Lichterman Nature Center on Quince Road.
These are not fringe attractions. They are established local places that can make it easier to enjoy your surroundings close to home, especially if you want options for walking, outdoor time, or an easy weekend plan without a long drive across the city.
Renting First vs. Buying Right Away
A lot of relocators ask the same question: should you lease first or buy as soon as you arrive? In East Memphis, the answer usually depends on your confidence in the area, your start date, and how much time you have before your move.
If you rent first, it helps to know what is typical in Tennessee. According to state renter guidance, the most common setup is a yearlong lease with monthly payments. Month-to-month rentals are possible, but they are not the default, and either party may terminate a month-to-month tenancy with at least 30 days’ written notice.
If you buy, it is smart to plan for a longer runway than many out-of-town buyers expect. With median days on market across the key East Memphis ZIP codes ranging from 87 to 99 days, you may need time to compare areas carefully before you even make an offer. Once you are under contract, the closing period commonly takes about 30 to 60 days, with an average around 50 days.
In other words, buying can absolutely work during a relocation, but it usually works best when you build in enough time for search, financing, inspection, and closing. If your move is happening quickly, leasing first may give you more breathing room.
What the Closing Timeline Looks Like
If you do decide to buy in East Memphis, the final stretch is often more paperwork-heavy than people expect. Even after you find the right home, the closing process still has several steps that need to line up.
According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Closing Disclosure guidance, your Closing Disclosure must be delivered three business days before closing. During that last week, you may also be finishing lender requests, reviewing final numbers, and coordinating the transfer paperwork that gets recorded locally.
In Shelby County, local fees and taxes are part of the closing picture too. The Shelby County Register of Deeds handles recorded real-estate documents, and Tennessee’s realty transfer tax is $0.37 per $100 of value. Tennessee’s mortgage tax is $0.115 per $100 of indebtedness after the first $2,000 exemption, and Shelby County’s published register fee schedule lists $10 for the first two pages plus $5 for each additional page on most documents.
That is why closing costs are about more than lender fees alone. If you are planning your East Memphis move from another city or state, it helps to budget for the local recording and tax side of the transaction as well.
How to Plan Your Move Well
A smoother East Memphis relocation usually comes down to making a few smart decisions early. You do not need to know everything on day one, but you do want a clear process.
Here are a few practical steps to take:
- Start with your workplace location and map your likely routes along Poplar, Walnut Grove, or I-240.
- Set a realistic budget range by comparing 38117, 38119, and 38120 instead of treating East Memphis like one market.
- Decide whether you need flexibility first through a lease or whether you have enough time to buy.
- Build extra time into your timeline for touring, financing, inspections, and closing.
- Focus on daily routine, not just the house itself, including errands, green space, and after-work convenience.
When your move is tied to a job, it is easy to focus only on the start date. But the better plan is to choose an area that supports your work life and your everyday life after hours.
If you are planning a move and want local guidance on East Memphis neighborhoods, commute patterns, rentals, or buying options, connect with Ware Jones. Their neighborhood-focused team can help you compare your options and build a relocation plan that fits how you actually want to live.
FAQs
What home prices should you expect in East Memphis?
- East Memphis pricing varies by area, with January 2026 median home prices of $292,450 in 38117, $307,000 in 38119, and $496,200 in 38120.
What rent prices should you expect in East Memphis?
- Median rents in the key East Memphis ZIP codes are $1,525 in 38117, $1,825 in 38119, and $1,737 in 38120, with some neighborhood-specific options like University District at $1,285.
What commute routes matter most in East Memphis?
- The main commute routes for East Memphis are Poplar Avenue, Walnut Grove Road, and I-240, especially for people working in medical, university, and office hubs.
What East Memphis areas are useful for leasing first?
- University District, Sherwood Forest, and Colonial Acres are practical examples for relocators who want to rent first and learn the area before buying.
What East Memphis neighborhoods fit a higher budget?
- River Oaks and the broader 38120 area are the clearest East Memphis options for upper-tier pricing, with River Oaks showing a median home price of $511,900.
What timeline should buyers expect in East Memphis?
- Buyers should usually expect a search that takes weeks to months, plus a post-offer closing period of about 30 to 60 days, with an average around 50 days.
What lease term is most common for renters in Tennessee?
- The most common rental arrangement is a yearlong lease, while month-to-month tenancy is possible but not the standard setup.
What local closing costs apply in Shelby County?
- In addition to lender-related costs, buyers may see Tennessee realty transfer tax, mortgage tax, and Shelby County recording fees as part of the closing process.
