Detached garage cost in Memphis, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $26,600 – $53,500
- Per sq ft
- $46 – $92
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −8%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #195
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a detached garage in the Memphis area: $26,600 to $53,500 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 8% lower than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $24.34 an hour in the Memphis area, 16% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Memphis, TN, standard level
$34,700 to $45,400
About $60 to $78 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,000 | $23,600 |
| Labor | $16,400 | $21,500 |
| Permits and fees | $240 | $360 |
| Total | $34,700 | $45,400 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Memphis, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,900 | $20,800 | $27,700 | 52% |
| Labor | $12,600 | $19,000 | $25,300 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $300 | $460 | 1% |
| Total | $26,600 | $40,000 | $53,500 | 100% |
Where the Memphis price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $24.34 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Memphis is 0.88 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 47% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Memphis 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 92.2: $140 to $460.
The best months for detached garage in Memphis
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Memphis Intl Ap (5 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 Memphis are March through June and September through November: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below, and July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
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.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in July and August, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Memphis gets about 55 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 3 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, April and December (5.9 inches in April). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.0 and 4.0 inches. The station averages about 72 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 | 51 | 33 | 4.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 56 | 37 | 4.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 64 | 44 | 5.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 53 | 5.9 | Workable |
| May | 82 | 62 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 70 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 92 | 74 | 4.8 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 73 | 3.4 | Hot |
| Sep | 86 | 66 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 75 | 54 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 63 | 43 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Dec | 53 | 36 | 5.5 | Cold |
Who does the work: Memphis 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 Memphis the blend is 0.88.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $24.34 an hour, 16% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.58 and $28.26 an hour. About 1,240 work in the metro. That is 20.3 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 $21.54 an hour, which is 5% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.31 and $24.40 an hour. BLS counts 3,940 of them working in the area, 64.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 15% of the weighting: a median of $24.05 an hour, 12% below the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $22.12 and $26.25 an hour. About 510 work in the metro. That is 8.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $29.27 an hour, which is 4% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.23 and $36.87 an hour. BLS counts 2,770 of them working in the area, 45.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is about average.
Roofers (47-2181), 10% of the weighting: a median of $22.34 an hour, 16% below the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $19.79 and $24.07 an hour. About 360 work in the metro. That is 5.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
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 $590. That is a swing of roughly 1.5% to 3.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Memphis has 611,670 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 46th 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% | $22.58 | $24.34 | $28.26 | $29.12 | 0.84 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $22.12 | $24.05 | $26.25 | $27.41 | 0.88 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $18.31 | $21.54 | $24.40 | $22.66 | 0.95 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $23.23 | $29.27 | $36.87 | $30.38 | 0.96 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $19.79 | $22.34 | $24.07 | $26.65 | 0.84 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.88 | |||||
Memphis: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Memphis. 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
$26,600 to $37,400
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$34,700 to $45,400
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$42,700 to $53,500
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $11,200 – $15,700 | $14,600 – $19,100 | $18,000 – $22,500 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $26,600 – $37,400 | $34,700 – $45,400 | $42,700 – $53,500 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $33,300 – $46,600 | $43,300 – $56,700 | $53,300 – $66,700 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $41,500 – $58,200 | $54,100 – $70,800 | $66,600 – $83,300 |
Memphis against nearby metros and the rest of Tennessee
Same job, same size (576 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Memphis is the priciest of the group. Jonesboro is the cheapest at $36,800.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TNthis page | $26,600 – $53,500 | $40,000 | |
| Jonesboro, AR65 miles | $24,400 – $49,100 | $36,800 | −8% |
| Jackson, TN75 miles | $26,100 – $52,300 | $39,200 | −2% |
| Little Rock, AR145 miles | $25,100 – $50,400 | $37,700 | −6% |
| Decatur, AL160 miles | $26,200 – $52,500 | $39,300 | −2% |
| Clarksville, TN170 miles | $26,200 – $52,500 | $39,300 | −2% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $26,600 – $53,300 | $40,000 | level |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | +9% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Memphis ranks #195 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Memphis is 0% above the Tennessee figure.
Elsewhere in Tennessee
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $27,300 – $54,900 | $41,100 | +3% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $26,500 – $53,100 | $39,800 | −1% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $26,600 – $53,400 | $40,000 | level |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $26,000 – $52,100 | $39,000 | −3% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $26,200 – $52,500 | $39,300 | −2% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $26,100 – $52,300 | $39,200 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Memphis against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | 660,350 jobs | $26,600 – $53,400 | $40,000 | level |
| Hartford, CT | 599,770 jobs | $30,200 – $60,600 | $45,400 | +13% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 677,680 jobs | $25,600 – $51,400 | $38,500 | −4% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 598,260 jobs | $27,800 – $55,900 | $41,800 | +4% |
Planning more than one job in Memphis?
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Memphis wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, garage door comes out highest (−6%) and home addition lowest (−11%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,300 – $4,850 | −7% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $650 – $3,500 | −6% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,400 | −8% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $33,900 – $68,700 | −11% |
Detached garage: what moves the price in Memphis
Foundation
A slab is cheapest. A frost-depth foundation in cold states costs more.
Garage apartments
A garage with living space is a different project: HomeGuide puts them at $80,000-$300,000.
Permits
You need a permit for a detached garage: $150-$500 on average, with separate electrical or plumbing permits if those are involved.
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $34,700 to $45,400 for Memphis, TN is attached.
Detailed detached garage report for Memphis, TN, $9
The report lays out the detached garage numbers for Memphis, TN line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Detached garage in Memphis: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Memphis?
For 576 sq ft, expect $26,600 to $53,500 in the Memphis area. A standard-spec job lands at $34,700 to $45,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Memphis?
About $46 to $92 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $140 to $460 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Memphis or Jonesboro?
Jonesboro is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $36,800, which is 8% less than Memphis ($40,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Memphis?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $19,000 out of $40,000. Materials are 52% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Memphis?
$33,300 to $66,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Memphis?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $140 to $460 for fees in the Memphis area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Memphis expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Memphis is 0% above 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 Memphis?
The BLS median is $24.34 an hour in the Memphis area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.58 to $28.26.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Memphis?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $26,600 to $37,400 and premium work $42,700 to $53,500. 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 Memphis?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and September through November. 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 Memphis
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).