Exterior House Painting cost: East Chattanooga vs New South Memphis (2026)
There's essentially no price gap here: exterior house painting runs close to $3,000 in both East Chattanooga and New South Memphis in 2026.
East Chattanooga TN
Typically around $3,000
New South Memphis TN
Typically around $3,000
East Chattanooga vs New South Memphis: full breakdown
| Factor | East Chattanooga | New South 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 |
Localized 2026 planning estimates — not quotes. Each city adjusts the national exterior house painting range for local labor, climate and permits.
No real cost edge either way
The two metros are effectively a wash for exterior house painting — pick on contractor quality and timing, not location.
Exterior house painting by type: East Chattanooga vs New South Memphis
Every exterior house painting type gets its own localized price for each metro, using the same labor, climate and permit adjustments — a true apples-to-apples comparison.
| Type | East Chattanooga | New South 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 |
These are 2026 planning figures for exterior house painting, localized to each city — not formal quotes.
Exterior house painting by home size: East Chattanooga vs New South 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 | East Chattanooga | New South 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
About 70% of a exterior house painting bill goes to labor, so wage differences between these two metros matter more than almost anything else. These are real, government-sourced (BLS OEWS) installer wages, not estimates.
No BLS metro wage series for East 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
Because exterior paint needs warm, dry conditions, summer bookings are unavoidable and pricier. Interior painting sidesteps that constraint entirely — schedule it in winter, when crews have far less competing work.
What are you really paying for in a paint job?
Most of a paint quote is labor and prep, not paint. Our editors on where the money should go.
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.
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.
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.
East Chattanooga vs New South Memphis
Is exterior house painting cheaper in East Chattanooga or New South Memphis?
Not really — both cities land at almost the same number for exterior house painting, around $3,000 each.
Why does exterior house painting cost more in New South Memphis than East Chattanooga?
New South Memphis's higher labor index (0.95 vs 0.95 in East Chattanooga) is the biggest factor, with the mixed/mixed climate split playing a smaller role.
How much is exterior house painting in East Chattanooga, TN?
East Chattanooga homeowners can expect $1,700 to $4,300 for exterior house painting in 2026, with $3,000 the typical number.
When is the cheapest time to buy exterior house painting — and does it differ by city?
Timing doesn't change by city here — Winter for interior; dry spring/fall for exterior is the cheapest window in both East Chattanooga and New South Memphis, saving roughly 10–20% (interior, off-season). Avoid mid-summer (exterior peak) in either location, when emergency replacements push prices up.
Should I choose where to live based on exterior house painting cost?
There's no cost argument here between East Chattanooga and New South Memphis — they're a wash. Focus on contractor reputation, project scope, equipment tier and timing.
Compare exterior house painting in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik