Gravel driveway cost in Memphis, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,350 – $9,600
- Per sq ft
- $2.35 – $9.45
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #185
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a gravel driveway in Memphis, plan on $2,350 to $9,600 for 1,000 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $2.35 to $9.45 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 6% lower than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $21.54 an hour in the Memphis area, 5% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Memphis, TN, standard level
$4,550 to $7,450
About $4.50 to $7.30 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $3,700 |
| Labor | $2,250 | $3,600 |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $130 |
| Total | $4,550 | $7,450 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Memphis, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $3,000 | $4,800 | 50% |
| Labor | $1,200 | $2,900 | $4,650 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $90 | $180 | 2% |
| Total | $2,350 | $6,000 | $9,600 | 100% |
Why Memphis prices look the way they do
Labor is 49% of the midpoint bill here, against 50% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is construction laborers (50%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (50%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Memphis the blended ratio comes out at 0.93.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Memphis 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 (92.2) and land at $0 to $180.
Memphis: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Memphis 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
$2,350 to $5,250
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$4,550 to $7,450
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$6,700 to $9,600
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,200 – $2,650 | $2,300 – $3,800 | $3,400 – $4,900 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,350 – $5,250 | $4,550 – $7,450 | $6,700 – $9,600 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,350 – $5,250 | $4,550 – $7,450 | $6,700 – $9,600 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $4,700 – $10,500 | $9,000 – $14,800 | $13,300 – $19,100 |
Memphis 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 Memphis is 0.93 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $21.54 an hour, 5% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.31 and $24.40 an hour. About 3,940 work in the metro. That is 64.4 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 $25.90 an hour, which is 10% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.88 and $29.88 an hour. BLS counts 1,140 of them working in the area, 18.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($24.40 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $200. At the 25th percentile ($18.31) it shrinks by about $220. The total moves by 3.3% or 3.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 611,670 jobs in the Memphis area. That makes it the 46th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.39% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $18.31 | $21.54 | $24.40 | $22.66 | 0.95 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $21.88 | $25.90 | $29.88 | $28.78 | 0.90 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.93 | |||||
Extras that change the Memphis total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Memphis by the average of the local wage index (0.93) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.94. 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) | $470 – $1,700 |
How Memphis compares
Same job, same size (1,000 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Memphis is the priciest of the group. Little Rock is the cheapest at $5,450.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TNthis page | $2,350 – $9,600 | $6,000 | |
| Jonesboro, AR65 miles | $2,150 – $8,750 | $5,450 | −9% |
| Jackson, TN75 miles | $2,300 – $9,300 | $5,800 | −3% |
| Little Rock, AR145 miles | $2,150 – $8,750 | $5,450 | −9% |
| Decatur, AL160 miles | $2,200 – $9,050 | $5,650 | −6% |
| Clarksville, TN170 miles | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | −3% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $2,350 – $9,550 | $5,950 | −1% |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | +6% |
Across 300 US metros, Memphis comes in at #185 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, Memphis is 1% above the Tennessee figure.
Other Tennessee metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $2,400 – $9,800 | $6,100 | +2% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $2,300 – $9,500 | $5,900 | −2% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $2,300 – $9,400 | $5,850 | −3% |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $2,400 – $9,750 | $6,050 | +1% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | −3% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $2,300 – $9,300 | $5,800 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like Memphis's
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 | $2,350 – $9,600 | $5,950 | level |
| Hartford, CT | 599,770 jobs | $2,800 – $11,300 | $7,000 | +17% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 677,680 jobs | $2,200 – $9,000 | $5,600 | −7% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 598,260 jobs | $2,500 – $10,100 | $6,300 | +5% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Memphis bid
Grading and edging
Grading runs $1-$3 per sq ft. Edging to keep the stone in is $5-$18 per linear foot.
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.
Climate in Memphis: timing your gravel driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Memphis Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through June is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Memphis (10 of 12 months). July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
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.
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 | 51 | 33 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 56 | 37 | 4.5 | Workable |
| 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 | Workable |
Planning more than one job in Memphis?
Because every project leans on different trades, Memphis's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs −3% and asphalt driveway −9%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,800 – $6,750 | −9% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,400 | −8% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $570 – $2,000 | −5% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,400 – $3,100 | −5% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,300 – $4,850 | −7% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,900 – $5,300 | −3% |
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 $4,550 to $7,450 for Memphis, TN is attached.
Detailed gravel driveway report for Memphis, TN, $9
Multi-page report for Memphis, 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 Memphis: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Memphis?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,350 to $9,600 in the Memphis area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,550 to $7,450. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Memphis?
About $2.35 to $9.45 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $180 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $2.50 to $10.
+Is gravel driveway cheaper in Memphis or Jonesboro?
Jonesboro is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $5,450, which is 9% less than Memphis ($6,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Memphis?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $2,900 out of $6,000. Materials are 50% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Memphis?
$2,350 to $9,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Memphis?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $180 for fees in the Memphis area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Memphis expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Memphis is 1% above 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 Memphis?
The BLS median is $21.54 an hour in the Memphis area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.31 to $24.40.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Memphis?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,350 to $5,250 and premium work $6,700 to $9,600. 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 Memphis?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. 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 Memphis?
$470 to $1,700 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway 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 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.