Sod installation cost in Jackson, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,500 sq ft)
- $1,400 – $3,050
- Per sq ft
- $0.95 – $1.85
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −7%
- US $2,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #245
- 1 = most expensive
Jackson homeowners pay roughly $1,400 to $3,050 to lay sod at 1,500 sq ft, or $0.95 to $1.85 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Jackson is 7% lower. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn a median of $16.96 an hour in the Jackson area, 10% below the US median of $18.82.
Estimate your sod installation cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 1,500 sq ft in Jackson, TN, standard level
$1,900 to $2,550
About $1.20 to $1.60 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $940 | $1,250 |
| Labor | $890 | $1,150 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $180 |
| Total | $1,900 | $2,550 |
Cost breakdown for 1,500 sq ft in Jackson, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $720 | $1,100 | $1,450 | 48% |
| Labor | $680 | $1,000 | $1,350 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $130 | $260 | 6% |
| Total | $1,400 | $2,250 | $3,050 | 100% |
Where the Jackson price comes from
Labor is 46% of the midpoint bill here, against 47% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is landscaping and groundskeeping workers (80%), construction laborers (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Jackson the blended ratio comes out at 0.91.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Jackson metro is 96.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 1,500 sq ft comes to $1,100, compared with $1,150 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (85.5) and land at $0 to $260.
Jackson: what basic, standard and premium work costs
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 3 common sizes.
Basic
$1,400 to $2,050
Basic grass on cleared, level ground
Standard
$1,900 to $2,550
Better grass type with some grading
Premium
$2,400 to $3,050
Premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small yard (1,000 sq ft) | $940 – $1,400 | $1,300 – $1,750 | $1,650 – $2,150 |
| average yard (1,500 sq ft) | $1,400 – $2,050 | $1,900 – $2,550 | $2,400 – $3,050 |
| large yard (4,000 sq ft) | $3,750 – $5,350 | $4,950 – $6,550 | $6,150 – $7,750 |
When to schedule sod lawn in Jackson
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 |
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, retaining wall runs −4% and sprinkler system −9%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $560 – $1,950 | −7% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,650 – $9,150 | −9% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,750 – $12,900 | −4% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,300 | −9% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $33,600 – $105,000 | −7% |
Local wages behind the labor line
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 0.91 times the national level.
For landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011, weighted 80%) the local median is $16.96 an hour, which is 10% below the national $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $15.45 and $19.71 an hour. BLS counts 470 of them working in the area, 55.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 61.3), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% 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.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the landscaping and groundskeeping workers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($19.71 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $130. At the 25th percentile ($15.45) it shrinks by about $70. The total moves by 5.9% or 3.2%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 80% | $15.45 | $16.96 | $19.71 | $18.82 | 0.90 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $17.83 | $21.45 | $23.42 | $22.66 | 0.95 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.91 | |||||
Is Jackson cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (1,500 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Nashville is the priciest of the group at $2,300. Jonesboro is the cheapest at $2,200.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson, TNthis page | $1,400 – $3,050 | $2,250 | |
| Memphis, TN75 miles | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | +2% |
| Clarksville, TN95 miles | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | +1% |
| Jonesboro, AR100 miles | $1,400 – $3,000 | $2,200 | −2% |
| Nashville, TN125 miles | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,300 | +4% |
| Decatur, AL135 miles | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | +1% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | +2% |
| United States | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +7% |
Across 300 US metros, Jackson comes in at #245 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $2,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $2,000 (midpoints, 1,500 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 | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,300 | +4% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | +2% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | +2% |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | +1% |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | level |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | +1% |
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 | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,350 | +5% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | +5% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | level |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | +4% |
Sod installation: what moves the price in Jackson
Old grass removal
Removing an old lawn first adds $0.50-$2.00 per sq ft, and a full remove-and-resod runs $1.50-$4.00 per sq ft (HomeGuide).
Sod type
Sod alone costs $0.30-$0.80 per sq ft, or $130-$360 per pallet; delivery is $50-$250 per load.
Site prep
The cost listed here assumes leveled, cleared ground. Grading and soil amendments are extra.
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 $1,900 to $2,550 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.
Sod installation in Jackson: your questions
+How much does it cost to lay sod in Jackson?
For 1,500 sq ft, expect $1,400 to $3,050 in the Jackson area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,900 to $2,550. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for sod lawn in Jackson?
About $0.95 to $1.85 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $260 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $1 to $2.
+Is sod lawn cheaper in Jackson or Memphis?
Memphis is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 1,500 sq ft there is $2,250, which is 2% more than Jackson ($2,250). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Jackson?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $1,000 out of $2,250. Materials are 48% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 47%.
+What would average yard (1,500 sq ft) cost in Jackson?
$1,400 to $3,050. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does sod lawn 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 $260 for fees in the Jackson area (our national range of $0 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Jackson expensive for sod lawn compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Jackson is 2% below the Tennessee statewide estimate ($2,300 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn in Jackson?
The BLS median is $16.96 an hour in the Jackson area, compared with $18.82 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $15.45 to $19.71.
+What do basic and premium sod lawn work cost in Jackson?
For 1,500 sq ft, basic work runs $1,400 to $2,050 and premium work $2,400 to $3,050. Basic means: basic grass on cleared, level ground. Premium means: premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes.
+When is the best time to lay sod 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.
Sod installation 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.