Thinking about a quieter suburban life with room to grow but still close to Memphis? Oakland in Fayette County gives you that small-town feel with practical access to jobs, shopping, and services across the metro. If you are weighing budget, commute, schools, and long-term value, this spotlight will help you see whether Oakland fits your next move. You will get a clear picture of prices, neighborhood feel, daily conveniences, and the projects shaping the future. Let’s dive in.

Why Oakland is on the rise

Oakland has grown quickly in recent years. The U.S. Census estimates 10,769 residents as of July 1, 2024, which is up about 20.2 percent since April 2020. You can explore the latest population snapshot on the Census QuickFacts page for Oakland. That growth reflects steady new-home building and interest from buyers who commute into the broader Memphis area.

• Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts for Oakland

Location and getting around

Oakland sits along the four-lane US 64 corridor in western Fayette County and covers about 10.4 square miles. US 64 is the main east-west route into Memphis, with TN 194 and TN 196 providing north-south links through town. Downtown Memphis is roughly 32 miles to the west, and a typical nonstop drive runs about 35 to 45 minutes depending on time of day and traffic.

• Learn more: Oakland, Tennessee overview and location

Housing snapshot for 2026

As of winter 2026, Oakland’s for-sale market generally sits in the low-to-mid 300-thousands. Zillow’s home value index shows an average around 351,886 dollars as of January 31, 2026. MLS-based reporting from Redfin shows a median sale price near 342,000 dollars in January 2026. Aggregators use different samples, so expect a spread rather than a single number.

Inventory and buyer competition are cooler than the frenzied seller markets of past years. Redfin characterizes Oakland as not very competitive right now, which can give you more time for inspections and negotiation. If you are planning to rent out a property, recent advertised asking rents have often landed around 1,800 to 2,000 dollars per month depending on the home and location. As always, ask for address-level comps before you write an offer.

Neighborhood feel and home types

Oakland blends classic small-town streets with newer subdivisions along and near US 64. The housing stock is mostly detached single-family homes, many with 3 to 4 bedrooms and suburban layouts. Just beyond town limits, you will also find rural acreage and homes on larger lots. Newer planned communities continue to fill in near the highway corridor, while older homes cluster near the town core.

Zillow’s neighborhood references for the area include names like Windsor Valley and Hunter’s Walk, along with other subdivision pockets. Always confirm the exact location of any listing, since neighborhood names can span multiple jurisdictions and unincorporated areas.

Everyday life and amenities

Day-to-day retail and services cluster along US 64 and around the town center. You will find more big-box shopping, major medical centers, and a wider dining mix in nearby suburbs such as Arlington and Collierville, as well as in Somerville. This pattern suits buyers who want local basics close by and are comfortable driving a short distance for larger errands.

• Reference: Oakland location and corridor context

Schools and zoning basics

Public schools serving Oakland are part of Fayette County Schools. Local campuses often cited include Oakland Elementary and West Junior High. Many high school students in the area attend Fayette-Ware Comprehensive High School in Somerville. School assignments can vary by address, so confirm zones with the district and review the most recent test-score information before you decide.

• Starting point for research: Oakland Elementary on GreatSchools

Health care and safety

For routine and urgent needs, the closest county hospital is Methodist Healthcare — Fayette Hospital in Somerville. For specialty and tertiary care, the Memphis metro offers larger hospital systems. Always confirm available services and hours at the facility that fits your needs.

• Facility listing: Methodist Healthcare — Fayette Hospital

Oakland has a local police department with county support, which is typical for Fayette County towns. Summaries based on FBI data show overall crime figures lower than many U.S. communities, but trends can change by street and over time. Review recent police updates and speak with the department for the most current information.

• Town contact reference: Oakland Town Hall listing

Taxes, utilities, and permits

If you are comparing listings, confirm whether a property sits inside Oakland town limits or in unincorporated Fayette County. This affects municipal taxes and whether the home connects to town water and sewer. Outside of town limits, many homes rely on well and septic systems. Electric service in rural Tennessee is often provided by municipal utilities or local cooperatives.

To avoid surprises, check utility availability and permitting history with the county. The Fayette County Assessor and Planning pages are your best resources for parcel details, tax millage, and contacts.

• Start here: Fayette County Assessor and parcel resources

New development to watch

Oakland is investing in parks and recreation. In October 2023, the town was awarded 2.5 million dollars from the state’s Local Parks and Recreation Fund for the Oakland Sports Complex at 895 Bowers Road. Projects like these often support youth sports, everyday fitness, and community events, which can boost neighborhood appeal and long-term demand.

• Announcement: State parks grant for Oakland Sports Complex

Buyer checklist for Oakland

Use this quick list to move confidently from search to close:

• Confirm town limits. Check whether the address is inside Oakland or in unincorporated Fayette County. This affects water, sewer, and municipal taxes. Use county parcel lookup and maps.
• Get address-level comps. Ask your agent for MLS comps and note the data source and date. Index values and county snapshots are helpful, but hyper-local comps guide real offer strategy.
• Understand current pricing. As of January 2026, most closed sales cluster in the low-to-mid 300-thousands, with a less competitive market tone than in peak years.
• Verify schools and zones. If school assignment matters, confirm boundaries with the district and review the latest school-level results.
• Check utilities and permits. Verify water, sewer, septic, and any past permits with the county and town offices before you finalize inspections.
• Review taxes and insurance. Tennessee’s effective property taxes are relatively low compared with many states, but run actual numbers on your target address for escrow planning.
• Plan your commute. Test-drive US 64 during your peak commute window to see real travel times.

Investor snapshot at a glance

If you are evaluating Oakland for rentals or a buy-and-hold play, consider the following:

• Entry pricing. Purchase prices have centered in the low-to-mid 300-thousands as of January 2026 across common data sets. A cooler market can reduce bidding pressure.
• Rent expectations. Advertised average asking rents have often run about 1,800 to 2,000 dollars per month, depending on the property.
• Underwriting. Model taxes, insurance, and maintenance carefully. Days on market and vacancy vary by subarea, product type, and finish level.
• Future demand. New parks funding and steady US 64 corridor growth point to ongoing household formation. Always confirm any planned subdivisions or rezonings with the town.
• Operations. If you prefer a single partner from purchase through rehab and management, our team integrates brokerage with Enterprise Property Management so you can buy, renovate, lease, and hold with one point of accountability.

Is Oakland right for you?

You will likely enjoy Oakland if you want suburban space, a manageable commute, and a community that is adding amenities while keeping a small-town pace. Prices are approachable by metro standards, and the current market tone can favor buyers who value time for due diligence. Whether you plan to live in your next home or hold it as a rental, a clear plan and local expertise will help you move with confidence.

If you are ready to explore neighborhoods, compare comps, or build an investor pro forma, connect with Memphis Real Estate Advisors. We will share on-the-ground guidance, integrated services, and address-level data to help you make the right next step. Get Your Free Market Report.

FAQs

What are typical 2026 home prices in Oakland, TN?

• Most sources place closed-sale prices in the low-to-mid 300-thousands as of January 2026, with Zillow’s index near 351,886 dollars and Redfin’s median sale around 342,000 dollars.

How long is the commute from Oakland to downtown Memphis?

• The drive is commonly about 35 to 45 minutes via US 64 depending on traffic, with a distance of roughly 32 miles.

What new parks or recreation projects are coming to Oakland?

• The town received a 2.5 million dollar state grant for the Oakland Sports Complex at 895 Bowers Road, a notable investment in local amenities.

Which public schools serve Oakland addresses?

• Oakland is in Fayette County Schools, with local campuses such as Oakland Elementary and West Junior High. Many high school students attend Fayette-Ware Comprehensive High School in Somerville; confirm zones for your address.

Is Oakland a good place to invest in rentals?

• Oakland can work for long-term holds if you buy at the right basis. Asking rents often range around 1,800 to 2,000 dollars per month, and the current market is less competitive, which can aid negotiations.

How do I confirm if a property is inside Oakland town limits and on municipal utilities?

• Use Fayette County’s parcel and assessor resources to verify jurisdiction, water and sewer availability, and any permit history before you submit an offer.