Detached garage cost in Johnson City, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $25,800 – $51,800
- Per sq ft
- $44.50 – $89
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #250
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a detached garage in the Johnson City area: $25,800 to $51,800 for 576 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 11% lower than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $23.04 an hour in the Johnson City area, 21% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Johnson City, TN, standard level
$33,600 to $44,000
About $58 to $76 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,000 | $23,600 |
| Labor | $15,400 | $20,100 |
| Permits and fees | $220 | $350 |
| Total | $33,600 | $44,000 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Johnson City, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,900 | $20,800 | $27,700 | 54% |
| Labor | $11,800 | $17,800 | $23,700 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $130 | $290 | $440 | 1% |
| Total | $25,800 | $38,800 | $51,800 | 100% |
Why Johnson City prices look the way they do
Labor is 46% of the midpoint bill here, against 50% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (45%), cement masons and concrete finishers (15%), construction laborers (20%), electricians (10%), roofers (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Johnson City the blended ratio comes out at 0.82.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Johnson City is at 96.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $21,600 nationally becomes $20,800 here (midpoint, 576 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 87.9: $130 to $440.
Data note: 25% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Johnson City. The wage table below marks each row.
The best months for detached garage in Johnson City
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Bristol Tri City Ap (10 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For pouring concrete, the comfortable months in Johnson City are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below.
The 40°F line is a deliberately cautious stand-in. The American Concrete Institute's cold-weather guide (ACI 306R-16) defines cold-weather concreting around an average daily air temperature below 40°F, which is colder than our test of an average overnight low at or below 40°F, so we flag a few extra shoulder months. In cold weather crews may need heated enclosures, insulating blankets or accelerated mixes, and those measures can raise a quote.
Johnson City gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 9 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, June and July (5.0 inches in July). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 2.8 and 2.5 inches. The station averages about 23 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 47 | 26 | 3.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 51 | 29 | 3.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 59 | 35 | 4.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 69 | 43 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 77 | 52 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 61 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 65 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 63 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Sep | 81 | 56 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 70 | 44 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 59 | 34 | 3.1 | Cold |
| Dec | 50 | 29 | 3.8 | Cold |
Specs and site conditions that change a Johnson City bid
Permits
You need a permit for a detached garage: $150-$500 on average, with separate electrical or plumbing permits if those are involved.
Electrical
Running power to a detached garage costs $1,000-$3,800 for a standard build and $5,000 or more for a long trench or amperage upgrade (Angi, Trusscore).
Size and finish level
HomeGuide puts a 2-car detached garage at $20,000-$57,600, with the spread driven by how finished it is.
Cost by quality level and size in Johnson City
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Johnson City. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft to 3-car (900 sq ft).
Basic
$25,800 to $36,200
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$33,600 to $44,000
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$41,400 to $51,800
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $10,800 – $15,200 | $14,100 – $18,500 | $17,400 – $21,900 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $25,800 – $36,200 | $33,600 – $44,000 | $41,400 – $51,800 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $32,200 – $45,200 | $42,000 – $54,900 | $51,700 – $64,700 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $40,300 – $56,500 | $52,400 – $68,600 | $64,600 – $80,700 |
Who does the work: Johnson City trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 5 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Johnson City the blend is 0.82.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $23.04 an hour, 21% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.81 and $26.92 an hour. About 160 work in the metro. That is 19.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $19.79 an hour, which is 13% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.74 and $22.37 an hour. BLS counts 580 of them working in the area, 71.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) carry 15% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Johnson City metro, so we used the Tennessee statewide median: $23.04 an hour against $27.41 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $20.92 and $25.38 an hour.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $25.09 an hour, which is 17% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $19.92 and $36.42 an hour. BLS counts 270 of them working in the area, 33.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Roofers (47-2181) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Johnson City metro, so we used the Tennessee statewide median: $21.97 an hour against $26.65 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.33 and $23.53 an hour.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $1,300 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $410. That is a swing of roughly 1.1% to 3.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Johnson City has 81,690 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 234th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $21.81 | $23.04 | $26.92 | $29.12 | 0.79 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $20.92 | $23.04 | $25.38 | $27.41 | 0.84 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $17.74 | $19.79 | $22.37 | $22.66 | 0.87 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $19.92 | $25.09 | $36.42 | $30.38 | 0.83 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $18.33 | $21.97 | $23.53 | $26.65 | 0.82 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.82 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Johnson City
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Johnson City wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, garage door comes out highest (−8%) and home addition lowest (−15%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,200 – $4,750 | −9% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $630 – $3,400 | −8% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,250 – $8,050 | −12% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $32,400 – $65,700 | −15% |
Johnson City against nearby metros and the rest of Tennessee
Same job, same size (576 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Asheville is the priciest of the group at $40,100.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson City, TNthis page | $25,800 – $51,800 | $38,800 | |
| Kingsport, TN25 miles | $26,000 – $52,100 | $39,000 | level |
| Asheville, NC45 miles | $26,700 – $53,600 | $40,100 | +3% |
| Hickory, NC60 miles | $26,100 – $52,300 | $39,200 | +1% |
| Knoxville, TN100 miles | $26,500 – $53,100 | $39,800 | +2% |
| Spartanburg, SC105 miles | $26,500 – $53,100 | $39,800 | +3% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $26,600 – $53,300 | $40,000 | +3% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | +12% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Johnson City ranks #250 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Johnson City is 3% below the Tennessee figure.
Elsewhere in Tennessee
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $27,300 – $54,900 | $41,100 | +6% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $26,600 – $53,500 | $40,000 | +3% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $26,500 – $53,100 | $39,800 | +2% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $26,600 – $53,400 | $40,000 | +3% |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $26,000 – $52,100 | $39,000 | level |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $26,200 – $52,500 | $39,300 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Johnson City against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls, ID | 81,840 jobs | $27,300 – $54,800 | $41,000 | +6% |
| Odessa, TX | 80,910 jobs | $25,900 – $52,000 | $38,900 | level |
| Hilton Head, SC | 81,920 jobs | $26,500 – $53,100 | $39,800 | +2% |
| Greenville, NC | 80,770 jobs | $25,600 – $51,400 | $38,500 | −1% |
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Detached garage in Johnson City: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Johnson City?
For 576 sq ft, expect $25,800 to $51,800 in the Johnson City area. A standard-spec job lands at $33,600 to $44,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Johnson City?
About $44.50 to $89 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $130 to $440 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Johnson City or Kingsport?
Kingsport is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $39,000, which is 0% more than Johnson City ($38,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Johnson City?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $17,800 out of $38,800. Materials are 54% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Johnson City?
$32,200 to $64,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Johnson City?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $130 to $440 for fees in the Johnson City area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Johnson City expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Johnson City is 3% below the Tennessee statewide estimate ($40,000 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Johnson City?
The BLS median is $23.04 an hour in the Johnson City area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.81 to $26.92.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Johnson City?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $25,800 to $36,200 and premium work $41,400 to $51,800. Basic means: basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door. Premium means: insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes.
+When is the best time to build a detached garage in Johnson City?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. September and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Detached garage near Johnson City
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Detached Garage Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Trusscore: How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garage? 2026 Price Guide (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Angi: How Much Does It Cost to Build a Detached Garage? [2026 Data] (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = installed range / 1.6, because Angi puts professional labor at roughly an additional 60% of the materials cost (materials about 62.5% of the total).