Exterior House Painting cost: Chattanooga vs Memphis (2026)
Exterior house painting costs about the same in Chattanooga and Memphis in 2026 — roughly $3,000 in each.
Chattanooga TN
Typically around $3,000
Memphis TN
Typically around $3,000
Chattanooga vs Memphis: full breakdown
| Factor | Chattanooga | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Estimated range | $1,700–$4,300 | $1,700–$4,300 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×0.95 | ×0.95 |
| Climate zone | Mixed | Mixed |
| Climate factor | ×1 | ×1 |
| Local permit | None | None |
| Labor share | $2,100 | $2,100 |
| Materials/equipment | $900 | $900 |
These are 2026 planning figures for exterior house painting, localized to each city — not formal quotes.
No real cost edge either way
With no real price gap on exterior house painting, the choice comes down to contractor quality and timing, not which city you're in.
Exterior house painting by type: Chattanooga vs Memphis
Each exterior house painting option, priced separately for both metros — the same local labor, climate and permit adjustments applied per city, so you can compare like for like.
| Type | Chattanooga | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl siding | $1,600–$3,800 | $1,600–$3,800 |
| Wood siding | $1,800–$4,300 | $1,800–$4,300 |
| Fiber-cement | $2,100–$4,850 | $2,100–$4,850 |
| Stucco | $2,100–$4,750 | $2,100–$4,750 |
| Brick | $2,400–$5,250 | $2,400–$5,250 |
Exterior house painting numbers here are 2026 planning ranges, adjusted per city — useful for budgeting, not a substitute for an actual quote.
Exterior house painting by home size: Chattanooga vs Memphis
Exterior painting is priced by the siding area, which tracks home size and the number of stories. Expect roughly $1–$4 per square foot of wall area; prep — scraping, sanding, and washing — often costs as much as the paint itself.
| Size | Chattanooga | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft home (1 story) | $1,450–$3,350 | $1,450–$3,350 |
| 1,500 sq ft home | $1,700–$4,300 | $1,700–$4,300 |
| 2,000 sq ft home | $2,100–$5,250 | $2,100–$5,250 |
| 2,500 sq ft home (2 story) | $2,850–$6,650 | $2,850–$6,650 |
| 3,000 sq ft home | $3,600–$8,100 | $3,600–$8,100 |
| 3,500+ sq ft home | $4,300–$9,500 | $4,300–$9,500 |
All figures are 2026 localized planning estimates for exterior house painting — get an actual quote before you commit.
What painting pros earn in each metro
Since labor accounts for around 70% of what a exterior house painting job costs, it's the biggest lever behind any price gap between cities. What you're seeing below is actual BLS metro wage data for skilled installers — not a guess.
No BLS metro wage series for Chattanooga; we use Tennessee regional price parity instead.
Memphis metro · about 7% below the US average installer wage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metro wages for HVAC installers (used as a trade-labor index).
Cheapest time for exterior house painting in either city
Exterior paint only cures properly in dry, 50-85°F weather, which makes summer both the only real option and the most expensive one. Interior work has no such limit, so booking it in winter — the trade's slow season — is the cheaper play.
What are you really paying for in a paint job?
Paint is the smallest line item in a painting budget — prep and labor are where the real cost sits. Our editors on where to actually spend.
The prep-first case
Surface prep — patching, sanding, caulking, washing — is most of a lasting finish. A bid that's cheap because it skips prep will peel within a year. Pay for the prep, not the brand name.
The coverage case
Two coats over primer is the honest standard; one-coat bids hide thin coverage. Confirm coats and primer in writing so a "lower" price isn't just less paint on the wall.
The timing case
Interior work in the trade's slow winter season catches the best crews at the best price. Save exterior jobs for dry weather — rushing paint onto a damp or cold wall guarantees a redo.
A paint job is only as good as the prep underneath it. Confirm coats and primer in writing, time the work to the season, and the finish will outlast a cheaper, thinner job.
Chattanooga vs Memphis
Is exterior house painting cheaper in Chattanooga or Memphis?
exterior house painting costs about the same in both — roughly $3,000 in each city.
Why does exterior house painting cost more in Memphis than Chattanooga?
Labor rates explain most of it — 0.95 in Memphis vs 0.95 in Chattanooga. A mixed climate versus mixed accounts for the rest.
How much is exterior house painting in Chattanooga, TN?
Expect to pay $1,700 to $4,300 for exterior house painting in Chattanooga in 2026, averaging around $3,000.
When is the cheapest time to buy exterior house painting — and does it differ by city?
No, the seasonal pattern is the same in Chattanooga and Memphis: book during Winter for interior; dry spring/fall for exterior for about 10–20% (interior, off-season) in savings. Mid-summer (exterior peak) is the priciest stretch in both cities, mostly due to emergency replacements.
Should I choose where to live based on exterior house painting cost?
Cost shouldn't be the deciding factor between Chattanooga and Memphis — they land at nearly the same price. Contractor reputation, scope, equipment tier and timing matter more.
Compare exterior house painting in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik