Inground pool cost in Memphis, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $34,600 – $108,000
- Per sq ft
- $76.50 – $239
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −4%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #176
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install an inground pool in Memphis, plan on $34,600 to $108,000 for 450 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $76.50 to $239 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 4% 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 450 sq ft in Memphis, TN, standard level
$56,600 to $85,900
About $125 to $190 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $27,100 | $41,300 |
| Labor | $29,300 | $44,400 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $220 |
| Total | $56,600 | $85,900 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Memphis, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $34,200 | $52,000 | 48% |
| Labor | $18,000 | $36,900 | $55,700 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $180 | $280 | 0% |
| Total | $34,600 | $71,300 | $108,000 | 100% |
Where the Memphis price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 4 trades: construction laborers at 40%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 30%, brickmasons and blockmasons at 20%, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 10%. Weighted together, Memphis wages are 0.95 times the national level. Labor makes up about 52% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Memphis metro is 96.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $34,200, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (92.2) and land at $90 to $280.
Is Memphis cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Memphis. Jonesboro is the lowest at about $63,700 (midpoint, 450 sq ft), 65 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TNthis page | $34,600 – $108,000 | $71,300 | |
| Jonesboro, AR65 miles | $30,900 – $96,500 | $63,700 | −11% |
| Jackson, TN75 miles | $33,600 – $105,000 | $69,300 | −3% |
| Little Rock, AR145 miles | $31,500 – $98,400 | $64,900 | −9% |
| Decatur, AL160 miles | $32,100 – $100,500 | $66,200 | −7% |
| Clarksville, TN170 miles | $33,700 – $105,500 | $69,600 | −2% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $34,300 – $107,000 | $70,800 | −1% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +4% |
Across 300 US metros, Memphis comes in at #176 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 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 | $35,100 – $109,500 | $72,400 | +2% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $34,200 – $107,000 | $70,600 | −1% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $34,200 – $107,000 | $70,500 | −1% |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $34,400 – $107,500 | $70,900 | −1% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $33,700 – $105,500 | $69,600 | −2% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $33,600 – $105,000 | $69,300 | −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 | $33,700 – $105,000 | $69,400 | −3% |
| Hartford, CT | 599,770 jobs | $40,700 – $127,000 | $83,800 | +18% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 677,680 jobs | $31,900 – $99,800 | $65,900 | −8% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 598,260 jobs | $36,200 – $113,000 | $74,700 | +5% |
Cost by quality level and size in Memphis
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 3 common sizes.
Basic
$34,600 to $63,900
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$56,600 to $85,900
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$78,600 to $108,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $30,700 – $56,800 | $50,300 – $76,400 | $69,900 – $96,000 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $39,300 – $72,700 | $64,300 – $97,700 | $89,400 – $123,000 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $61,400 – $113,500 | $100,500 – $152,500 | $139,500 – $191,500 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Memphis bid
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.
Memphis labor market for inground pool
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 4 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Memphis is 0.95 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% 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 30%) 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.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 20% of the weighting: a median of $31.42 an hour, 5% above the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $25.37 and $33.44 an hour. About 90 work in the metro. That is 1.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 3.4 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $28.22 an hour, which is 8% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.82 and $36.24 an hour. BLS counts 1,920 of them working in the area, 31.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), 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 ($24.40 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,950. At the 25th percentile ($18.31) it shrinks by about $2,200. The total moves by 2.7% or 3.1%, 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) | 40% | $18.31 | $21.54 | $24.40 | $22.66 | 0.95 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $21.88 | $25.90 | $29.88 | $28.78 | 0.90 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $25.37 | $31.42 | $33.44 | $29.87 | 1.05 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $22.82 | $28.22 | $36.24 | $30.67 | 0.92 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.95 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Memphis
Because every project leans on different trades, Memphis's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, retaining wall runs −3% and wood deck −8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,550 – $10,800 | −6% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,900 – $5,300 | −3% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,700 | −7% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,900 – $13,900 | −8% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $570 – $2,000 | −5% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,900 – $13,100 | −3% |
Climate in Memphis: timing your inground pool 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.
March through June and September through November are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Memphis (7 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below; 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.
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 | 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 |
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Inground pool in Memphis: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Memphis?
For 450 sq ft, expect $34,600 to $108,000 in the Memphis area. A standard-spec job lands at $56,600 to $85,900. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Memphis?
About $76.50 to $239 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $90 to $280 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Memphis or Jonesboro?
Jonesboro is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $63,700, which is 11% less than Memphis ($71,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Memphis?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $36,900 out of $71,300. Materials are 48% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Memphis?
$39,300 to $123,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Memphis?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $90 to $280 for fees in the Memphis area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Memphis expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Memphis is 1% above 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 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 inground pool work cost in Memphis?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $34,600 to $63,900 and premium work $78,600 to $108,000. 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 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.
Inground pool 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 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.