Exterior House Painting cost: Cordova vs Memphis (2026)
Cordova and Memphis are a near-perfect match on exterior house painting cost in 2026, both landing around $3,000.
Cordova TN
Typically around $3,000
Memphis TN
Typically around $3,000
Cordova vs Memphis: full breakdown
| Factor | Cordova | 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 |
Treat these as 2026 localized estimates for exterior house painting, not quotes from a contractor.
No real cost edge either way
This is a statistical tie on exterior house painting cost, so let contractor reputation and project timing decide, not geography.
Exterior house painting by type: Cordova 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 | Cordova | 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 |
Localized 2026 planning estimates — not quotes. Each city adjusts the national exterior house painting range for local labor, climate and permits.
Exterior house painting by home size: Cordova 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 | Cordova | 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
Roughly 70% of what you pay for exterior house painting is labor, which is why local wages explain most of the price gap. The numbers below are actual metro wages for skilled installers, sourced from BLS OEWS — not guesses.
Memphis metro · about 7% below the US average installer wage.
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
Summer's exterior-painting rush is really a weather requirement, not a preference, and prices reflect it. Interior work has no such requirement, making the trade's quiet winter months the cheapest time to book it.
What are you really paying for in a paint job?
A painting bid can look cheap and still deliver a bad result, because the number rarely reflects the prep behind it. Here's how our editors think about it.
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 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 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.
Judge a paint quote by prep and coats, not the headline number. Good prep, two coats over primer and the right season beat a cheap bid every time.
Cordova vs Memphis
Is exterior house painting cheaper in Cordova or Memphis?
Practically identical — expect around $3,000 for exterior house painting whichever city you're in.
Why does exterior house painting cost more in Memphis than Cordova?
It comes down to labor: Memphis indexes at 0.95 against Cordova's 0.95. The mixed-vs-mixed climate difference adds to the gap.
How much is exterior house painting in Cordova, TN?
Cordova homeowners can expect $1,700 to $4,300 for exterior house painting in 2026, with $3,000 the typical number.
Do painting pros really charge more in one city?
It's not a myth — BLS data puts installer wages at about $29/hr in the Memphis area and $29/hr in Memphis. Given labor is around 70% of a exterior house painting job's cost, that gap explains most of the price spread.
When is the cheapest time to buy exterior house painting — and does it differ by city?
No, the seasonal pattern is the same in Cordova 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?
Not on this basis — Cordova and Memphis cost about the same. Weigh contractor quality, scope, equipment tier and timing instead.
Compare exterior house painting in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik