Gravel driveway cost in Jackson, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,300 – $9,300
- Per sq ft
- $2.30 – $9.15
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #228
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a gravel driveway in Jackson, plan on $2,300 to $9,300 for 1,000 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $2.30 to $9.15 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 9% lower than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $21.45 an hour in the Jackson area, 5% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Jackson, TN, standard level
$4,400 to $7,200
About $4.35 to $7.10 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $3,700 |
| Labor | $2,100 | $3,400 |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $120 |
| Total | $4,400 | $7,200 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Jackson, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $3,000 | $4,800 | 51% |
| Labor | $1,150 | $2,750 | $4,350 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $85 | $170 | 1% |
| Total | $2,300 | $5,800 | $9,300 | 100% |
Why Jackson prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $21.45 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Jackson is 0.87 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 47% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Jackson metro is 96.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 1,000 sq ft comes to $3,000, compared with $3,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (85.5) and land at $0 to $170.
Planning more than one job in Jackson?
Because every project leans on different trades, Jackson's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs −4% and concrete driveway −13%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,800 – $6,700 | −9% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,200 – $7,950 | −13% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $560 – $1,950 | −7% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,400 – $3,050 | −7% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,200 – $4,700 | −10% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,900 – $5,200 | −4% |
Jackson labor market for gravel driveway
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Jackson is 0.87 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $21.45 an hour, 5% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.83 and $23.42 an hour. About 580 work in the metro. That is 68.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 50%) the local median is $22.71 an hour, which is 21% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $19.65 and $26.72 an hour. BLS counts 270 of them working in the area, 31.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($23.42 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $140. At the 25th percentile ($17.83) it shrinks by about $250. The total moves by 2.4% or 4.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 84,530 jobs in the Jackson area. That makes it the 227th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $17.83 | $21.45 | $23.42 | $22.66 | 0.95 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $19.65 | $22.71 | $26.72 | $28.78 | 0.79 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.87 | |||||
Climate in Jackson: timing your gravel driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Jackson Exp Stn (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through June and September through November are the stretches where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Jackson (7 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F); July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January, February and December the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 71 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Jackson gets about 57 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 3 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, April and May (5.8 inches in March). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 4.1 and 4.0 inches. The station averages about 56 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 49 | 27 | 4.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 53 | 30 | 4.7 | Cold |
| Mar | 62 | 39 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 48 | 5.5 | Workable |
| May | 80 | 58 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 66 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 69 | 5.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 67 | 3.6 | Hot |
| Sep | 85 | 60 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 74 | 48 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 61 | 37 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Dec | 52 | 31 | 5.3 | Cold |
Add-ons priced for Jackson
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Jackson by the average of the local wage index (0.87) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.92. Tick any of them in the estimator above to add them to your total. Treat these as planning figures: an add-on touches different trades than the main job, so the scaling is an approximation.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add edging (approx. 1 ft per 10 sq ft) | $460 – $1,650 |
Is Jackson cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (1,000 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Nashville is the priciest of the group at $6,100. Jonesboro is the cheapest at $5,450.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson, TNthis page | $2,300 – $9,300 | $5,800 | |
| Memphis, TN75 miles | $2,350 – $9,600 | $6,000 | +3% |
| Clarksville, TN95 miles | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | level |
| Jonesboro, AR100 miles | $2,150 – $8,750 | $5,450 | −6% |
| Nashville, TN125 miles | $2,400 – $9,800 | $6,100 | +5% |
| Decatur, AL135 miles | $2,200 – $9,050 | $5,650 | −3% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $2,350 – $9,550 | $5,950 | +2% |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | +9% |
Across 300 US metros, Jackson comes in at #228 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $9,500; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $5,200 (midpoints, 1,000 sq ft). Statewide, Jackson is 2% below the Tennessee figure.
Other Tennessee metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $2,400 – $9,800 | $6,100 | +5% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $2,350 – $9,600 | $6,000 | +3% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $2,300 – $9,500 | $5,900 | +2% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $2,300 – $9,400 | $5,850 | +1% |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $2,400 – $9,750 | $6,050 | +4% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Jackson's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Jackson against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $2,750 – $11,100 | $6,950 | +20% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $2,700 – $11,000 | $6,850 | +18% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $2,200 – $9,050 | $5,600 | −3% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $2,900 – $11,600 | $7,250 | +25% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: gravel driveway pricing in Jackson
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Jackson wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$2,300 to $5,100
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$4,400 to $7,200
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$6,500 to $9,300
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,150 – $2,600 | $2,200 – $3,650 | $3,300 – $4,750 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,300 – $5,100 | $4,400 – $7,200 | $6,500 – $9,300 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,300 – $5,100 | $4,400 – $7,200 | $6,500 – $9,300 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $4,550 – $10,100 | $8,750 – $14,300 | $12,900 – $18,500 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Jackson bid
Stone is sold by weight
Stone is priced by the ton, so every extra inch of depth or foot of width adds loads of delivery.
Permit
A driveway permit is typically $50-$200 where one is needed for a new curb cut or connection; plenty of rural counties require none.
Depth and layers
A proper driveway is a 4-inch base plus a 2-inch top course. Each extra inch of stone adds weight in tons and money.
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 $4,400 to $7,200 for Jackson, TN is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Jackson, TN: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Gravel driveway in Jackson: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Jackson?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,300 to $9,300 in the Jackson area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,400 to $7,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Jackson?
About $2.30 to $9.15 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $170 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $2.50 to $10.
+Is gravel driveway cheaper in Jackson or Memphis?
Memphis is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $6,000, which is 3% more than Jackson ($5,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Jackson?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $2,750 out of $5,800. Materials are 51% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Jackson?
$2,300 to $9,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Jackson?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $170 for fees in the Jackson area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Jackson expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Jackson is 2% below the Tennessee statewide estimate ($5,950 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Jackson?
The BLS median is $21.45 an hour in the Jackson area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.83 to $23.42.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Jackson?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,300 to $5,100 and premium work $6,500 to $9,300. Basic means: crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground. Premium means: deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage.
+When is the best time to install a gravel driveway in Jackson?
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.
+What does "add edging" add in Jackson?
$460 to $1,650 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway near Jackson
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 Gravel Driveway Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- CalculateGravel: Gravel Driveway Cost in 2026 (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: Installed range spans a basic spread-and-compact job ($2.50/sq ft low, CalculateGravel) to a full build with excavation ($10/sq ft high, HomeGuide). Materials low end is DIY stone ($1.20/sq ft, CalculateGravel); high end is half of HomeGuide's $10 because it says labor is about 50% of the project.