Inground pool cost in Knoxville, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $34,200 – $107,000
- Per sq ft
- $76 – $237
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #184
- 1 = most expensive
An inground pool in Knoxville, TN usually costs $34,200 to $107,000 for 450 sq ft. That works out to about $76 to $237 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $3,850 less. Construction laborers earn a median of $22.18 an hour in the Knoxville area, 2% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Knoxville, TN, standard level
$56,100 to $85,200
About $124 to $189 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $27,100 | $41,300 |
| Labor | $28,800 | $43,600 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $220 |
| Total | $56,100 | $85,200 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Knoxville, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $34,200 | $52,000 | 48% |
| Labor | $17,700 | $36,200 | $54,700 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $190 | $280 | 0% |
| Total | $34,200 | $70,600 | $107,000 | 100% |
Why Knoxville prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 40% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $22.18 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Knoxville is 0.94 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 51% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Knoxville is at 96.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $35,600 nationally becomes $34,200 here (midpoint, 450 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.6: $95 to $280.
Knoxville weather and the inground pool calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Knoxville Mcghee Tyson 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 Knoxville 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.
Knoxville gets about 52 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 5 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, July and December (5.3 inches in July). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.5 and 2.8 inches. The station averages about 37 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 | 48 | 30 | 4.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 53 | 33 | 4.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 61 | 40 | 4.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 71 | 48 | 4.7 | Workable |
| May | 79 | 57 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 86 | 65 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 88 | 69 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 88 | 68 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 83 | 61 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 72 | 49 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 60 | 38 | 4.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 51 | 33 | 5.0 | Cold |
Knoxville against nearby metros and the rest of Tennessee
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 450 sq ft range from $63,100 to $70,900 across Knoxville and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TNthis page | $34,200 – $107,000 | $70,600 | |
| Asheville, NC95 miles | $33,500 – $104,500 | $69,100 | −2% |
| Dalton, GA95 miles | $30,600 – $95,700 | $63,100 | −11% |
| Chattanooga, TN95 miles | $34,200 – $107,000 | $70,500 | level |
| Johnson City, TN100 miles | $33,000 – $103,000 | $68,000 | −4% |
| Kingsport, TN100 miles | $34,400 – $107,500 | $70,900 | level |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $34,300 – $107,000 | $70,800 | level |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +5% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Knoxville ranks #184 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Knoxville is 0% below the Tennessee figure.
Elsewhere in Tennessee
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $35,100 – $109,500 | $72,400 | +2% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $34,600 – $108,000 | $71,300 | +1% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $34,200 – $107,000 | $70,500 | level |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $34,400 – $107,500 | $70,900 | level |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $33,700 – $105,500 | $69,600 | −1% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $33,600 – $105,000 | $69,300 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Knoxville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $32,900 – $102,500 | $67,800 | −4% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $33,500 – $104,500 | $69,100 | −2% |
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $33,300 – $104,000 | $68,700 | −3% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $40,700 – $127,000 | $83,800 | +19% |
What nearby projects cost in Knoxville
Jobs that often go together with inground pool are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Knoxville wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (−3%) and concrete patio lowest (−9%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,600 – $10,800 | −5% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,900 – $5,300 | −3% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,600 | −9% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,950 – $13,900 | −8% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $560 – $2,000 | −6% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,800 – $13,000 | −3% |
What local crews earn in Knoxville
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 4 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 Knoxville the blend is 0.94.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $22.18 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.16 and $25.87 an hour. BLS counts 3,640 of them working in the area, 85.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $23.41 an hour, 19% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.22 and $27.74 an hour. About 1,210 work in the metro. That is 28.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021, weighted 20%) the local median is $30.81 an hour, which is 3% above the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $23.35 and $36.36 an hour. BLS counts 70 of them working in the area, 1.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.4), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $28.78 an hour, 6% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.69 and $35.32 an hour. About 1,700 work in the metro. That is 40.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $2,500 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $2,750. That is a swing of roughly 3.9% to 3.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Knoxville has 424,600 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 59th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $18.16 | $22.18 | $25.87 | $22.66 | 0.98 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $21.22 | $23.41 | $27.74 | $28.78 | 0.81 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $23.35 | $30.81 | $36.36 | $29.87 | 1.03 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $22.69 | $28.78 | $35.32 | $30.67 | 0.94 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.94 | |||||
Inground pool: what moves the price in Knoxville
Pool type
Vinyl pools are $25,000-$65,000, fiberglass $45,000-$100,000, and concrete or gunite $50,000-$120,000 (HomeGuide).
Maintenance
Pool maintenance is $80-$150 a month; concrete pools also need an acid wash every 3-5 years at $300-$1,000.
Permit
A building permit for a pool is $100-$300 and contractors often include it. Many cities add plumbing and electrical permits.
Knoxville: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Knoxville. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small pool (400 sq ft) to large (800 sq ft).
Basic
$34,200 to $63,300
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$56,100 to $85,200
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$77,900 to $107,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $30,400 – $56,300 | $49,800 – $75,700 | $69,300 – $95,100 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $38,900 – $72,000 | $63,800 – $96,900 | $88,600 – $121,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $60,800 – $112,500 | $99,500 – $151,000 | $138,500 – $190,000 |
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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 $56,100 to $85,200 for Knoxville, TN is attached.
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Multi-page report for Knoxville, 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.
Inground pool in Knoxville: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Knoxville?
For 450 sq ft, expect $34,200 to $107,000 in the Knoxville area. A standard-spec job lands at $56,100 to $85,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Knoxville?
About $76 to $237 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $95 to $280 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Knoxville or Asheville?
Asheville is 95 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $69,100, which is 2% less than Knoxville ($70,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Knoxville?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $36,200 out of $70,600. Materials are 48% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Knoxville?
$38,900 to $121,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Knoxville?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $95 to $280 for fees in the Knoxville area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Knoxville expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Knoxville is 0% below the Tennessee statewide estimate ($70,800 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Knoxville?
The BLS median is $22.18 an hour in the Knoxville area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.16 to $25.87.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Knoxville?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $34,200 to $63,300 and premium work $77,900 to $107,000. Basic means: vinyl-liner pool, small size. Premium means: concrete or gunite, large with custom features.
+When is the best time to install an inground pool in Knoxville?
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.
Inground pool near Knoxville
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 An Inground Pool Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (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 = 48% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range 'Outdoor Living' category split. It is a category average, not a pool-specific one, so read the pool materials line loosely.