Attic insulation cost in Memphis, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $960 – $3,850
- Per sq ft
- $0.95 – $3.85
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −4%
- US $2,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #174
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for attic insulation in the Memphis area: $960 to $3,850 for 1,000 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 4% lower than the US figure. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.2).
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Memphis, TN, standard level
$1,850 to $3,000
About $1.85 to $3 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 36% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,100 | $1,950 |
| Labor | $710 | $1,000 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,850 | $3,000 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Memphis, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $480 | $1,550 | $2,600 | 64% |
| Labor | $480 | $860 | $1,250 | 36% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $960 | $2,400 | $3,850 | 100% |
What is behind the Memphis number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: insulation workers, floor, ceiling and wall at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Memphis wages are 0.96 times the national level. Labor makes up about 36% of the midpoint estimate (36% at national prices).
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 $1,600 nationally becomes $1,550 here (midpoint, 1,000 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.2: $0 to $0.
How Memphis compares
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Memphis. Jonesboro is the lowest at about $2,300 (midpoint, 1,000 sq ft), 65 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TNthis page | $960 – $3,850 | $2,400 | |
| Jonesboro, AR65 miles | $900 – $3,650 | $2,300 | −5% |
| Jackson, TN75 miles | $970 – $3,850 | $2,400 | +1% |
| Little Rock, AR145 miles | $930 – $3,700 | $2,300 | −3% |
| Decatur, AL160 miles | $960 – $3,850 | $2,400 | level |
| Clarksville, TN170 miles | $960 – $3,850 | $2,400 | level |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $970 – $3,850 | $2,400 | +1% |
| United States | $1,000 – $4,000 | $2,500 | +4% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Memphis ranks #174 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Memphis is 1% below the Tennessee figure.
Elsewhere in Tennessee
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $1,000 – $4,000 | $2,500 | +5% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $970 – $3,900 | $2,450 | +1% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $970 – $3,850 | $2,400 | level |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $970 – $3,850 | $2,400 | +1% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $960 – $3,850 | $2,400 | level |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $970 – $3,850 | $2,400 | +1% |
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 | $940 – $3,800 | $2,350 | −2% |
| Hartford, CT | 599,770 jobs | $1,000 – $3,950 | $2,500 | +3% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 677,680 jobs | $930 – $3,750 | $2,350 | −3% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 598,260 jobs | $950 – $3,800 | $2,350 | −1% |
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 2 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 0.96.
For insulation workers, floor, ceiling and wall (47-2131, weighted 80%) the local median is $22.73 an hour, which is 4% below the national $23.62. The middle half of them earn between $21.75 and $26.62 an hour. BLS counts 140 of them working in the area, 2.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.9), so the local bench is thinner than average.
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.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (insulation workers, floor, ceiling and wall) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $120 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $30. That is a swing of roughly 1.2% to 4.9% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insulation workers, floor, ceiling and wall (47-2131) | 80% | $21.75 | $22.73 | $26.62 | $23.62 | 0.96 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $18.31 | $21.54 | $24.40 | $22.66 | 0.95 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.96 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Memphis bid
Job size
Small attics start around $500 and large ones go up to $6,000 (HomeGuide).
Air sealing and fixture damming
Sealing gaps and damming around recessed lights are part of what moves the price within a type.
Removing old insulation
Old, wet or pest-damaged insulation has to come out first, at extra cost.
Cost by quality level and size in Memphis
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 small attic (600 sq ft) to large attic (1,800 sq ft).
Basic
$960 to $2,100
Blown-in fiberglass or cellulose to code R-value
Standard
$1,850 to $3,000
Higher R-value with air sealing around fixtures
Premium
$2,700 to $3,850
Spray foam or heavy air sealing, hard-to-reach attic
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small attic (600 sq ft) | $580 – $1,250 | $1,100 – $1,800 | $1,600 – $2,300 |
| average attic (1,000 sq ft) | $960 – $2,100 | $1,850 – $3,000 | $2,700 – $3,850 |
| large attic (1,800 sq ft) | $1,750 – $3,800 | $3,300 – $5,350 | $4,850 – $6,900 |
What nearby projects cost in Memphis
Jobs that often go together with attic insulation are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Memphis wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gutters comes out highest (−5%) and roof replacement lowest (−10%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,400 – $11,300 | −10% |
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $9,100 – $29,900 | −9% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $7,750 – $23,300 | −8% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,150 – $14,000 | −7% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,200 – $4,000 | −5% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed attic insulation report for Memphis, TN, $9
The report lays out the attic insulation 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.
Attic insulation in Memphis: your questions
+How much does it cost to insulate an attic in Memphis?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $960 to $3,850 in the Memphis area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,850 to $3,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for attic insulation in Memphis?
About $0.95 to $3.85 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $1 to $4.
+Is attic insulation cheaper in Memphis or Jonesboro?
Jonesboro is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $2,300, which is 5% less than Memphis ($2,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Memphis?
About 36% at the midpoint, or $860 out of $2,400. Materials are 64% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 36%.
+What would average attic (1,000 sq ft) cost in Memphis?
$960 to $3,850. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does attic insulation 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 $0 for fees in the Memphis area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Memphis expensive for attic insulation compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Memphis is 1% below the Tennessee statewide estimate ($2,400 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do insulation workers, floor, ceiling and wall earn in Memphis?
The BLS median is $22.73 an hour in the Memphis area, compared with $23.62 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.75 to $26.62.
+What do basic and premium attic insulation work cost in Memphis?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $960 to $2,100 and premium work $2,700 to $3,850. Basic means: blown-in fiberglass or cellulose to code R-value. Premium means: spray foam or heavy air sealing, hard-to-reach attic.
Attic insulation 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 Attic Insulation Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
Note on derived figures: Materials = installed price minus HomeGuide's $0.50-$1.30 per sq ft insulation labor, matched low-to-low and high-to-high.