Furnace Replacement cost: Brentwood vs Memphis (2026)
Budget-wise, furnace replacement in Brentwood ($5,450) runs 1% more than in Memphis ($5,400), a roughly $50 spread.
Brentwood TN
Typically around $5,450
Memphis TN
Lower costTypically around $5,400
Brentwood vs Memphis: full breakdown
| Factor | Brentwood | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $5,450 | $5,400 |
| Estimated range | $3,900–$7,000 | $3,850–$6,900 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×0.97 | ×0.96 |
| Climate zone | Mixed | Mixed |
| Climate factor | ×1 | ×1 |
| Local permit | $225 | $200 |
| Labor share | $3,250 | $3,250 |
| Materials/equipment | $2,200 | $2,150 |
Localized 2026 planning estimates — not quotes. Each city adjusts the national furnace replacement range for local labor, climate and permits.
How much should this gap actually matter?
A 1% difference on furnace replacement is minor — you'll typically see a wider spread just from getting multiple quotes in the same city, so don't let location drive the decision.
Furnace replacement by type: Brentwood vs Memphis
Below, each furnace replacement option is priced independently for both cities, with identical local labor, climate and permit logic applied — so the comparison holds up.
| Type | Brentwood | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Gas furnace | $3,800–$6,900 | $3,750–$6,800 |
| High-efficiency gas furnace | $3,400–$6,900 | $3,350–$6,800 |
| Electric furnace | $2,150–$4,550 | $2,100–$4,500 |
Localized 2026 planning estimates — not quotes. Each city adjusts the national furnace replacement range for local labor, climate and permits.
Furnace replacement by home size: Brentwood vs Memphis
Furnace cost scales with the heating capacity (BTU) your home needs — roughly 40–45 BTU per square foot in a mixed climate. Larger homes need a bigger unit and more ductwork.
| Size | Brentwood | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft (≈45,000 BTU) | $2,950–$5,250 | $2,900–$5,200 |
| 1,500 sq ft (≈68,000 BTU) | $3,400–$6,000 | $3,350–$5,950 |
| 2,000 sq ft (≈90,000 BTU) | $3,900–$7,000 | $3,850–$6,900 |
| 2,500 sq ft (≈110,000 BTU) | $4,500–$7,950 | $4,400–$7,850 |
| 3,000 sq ft (≈130,000 BTU) | $5,050–$8,900 | $5,000–$8,850 |
| 3,500+ sq ft (≈150,000 BTU) | $5,650–$9,900 | $5,550–$9,800 |
These are 2026 planning figures for furnace replacement, localized to each city — not formal quotes.
What hvac pros earn in each metro
Since labor accounts for around 60% of what a furnace replacement 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.
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin metro · about 6% 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 furnace replacement in either city
HVAC demand collapses in the mild shoulder seasons, so installers discount to keep crews busy. The most expensive time to buy is during a heat wave or cold snap, when a dead system forces a full-price emergency replacement.
How much should you really budget for HVAC in 2026?
Three factors move an HVAC quote more than anything else: how well it's sized, which efficiency tier you pick, and the brand markup. Our editors break down how they weigh each one.
The efficiency-first case
In a hot-summer or cold-winter region, a higher SEER2/AFUE unit — or a heat pump — earns its premium back in lower bills, and utility and state rebates can still cut into the sticker (the federal 25C/25D credits ended Dec 2025). Run the payback math before defaulting to the cheapest box.
The longevity case
Brand is a footnote; sizing and install quality write the story. A right-sized mid-tier system that's properly commissioned and serviced once a year will outlive an oversized premium unit that short-cycles itself to an early grave. Put the money into the crew and the setup rather than the nameplate.
The budget-first case
In a temperate region the smart move is to size the job correctly with a Manual J and take the base efficiency tier. A system that spends most days coasting can't recover the cost of a high-SEER2 compressor, because the savings only show up under heavy load you don't put on it. Match the equipment to how little you actually run it, not to the brochure's top number.
The costly errors in an HVAC job are a bad load calculation and a sloppy install — not the logo you chose. Size it with a real Manual J, let your climate set the efficiency tier, and claim whatever rebates you still qualify for.
Brentwood vs Memphis
Is furnace replacement cheaper in Brentwood or Memphis?
Memphis wins on price: furnace replacement runs about $5,400 there versus $5,450 in Brentwood, a gap of roughly $50 (1%) as of 2026.
Why does furnace replacement cost more in Brentwood than Memphis?
Labor rates explain most of it — 0.97 in Brentwood vs 0.96 in Memphis. A mixed climate versus mixed, along with differing permit costs, accounts for the rest.
How much is furnace replacement in Brentwood, TN?
In Brentwood, furnace replacement typically runs $3,900–$7,000 in 2026, with most homeowners paying around $5,450.
Do hvac pros really charge more in one city?
It's not a myth — BLS data puts installer wages at about $29.4/hr in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin area and $29/hr in Memphis. Given labor is around 60% of a furnace replacement job's cost, that gap explains most of the price spread.
When is the cheapest time to buy furnace replacement — and does it differ by city?
Timing doesn't change by city here — Spring and fall (Mar–May, Sep–Oct) is the cheapest window in both Brentwood and Memphis, saving roughly 5–15%. Avoid peak summer and mid-winter in either location, when emergency replacements push prices up.
Should I choose where to live based on furnace replacement cost?
Not really — the $50 gap is one-time, and smart timing and tighter quotes in Brentwood can shrink it. Factors that compound over time, like energy prices and home condition, deserve more weight than a single upfront difference.
Compare furnace replacement in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik