Hardwood Flooring Installation cost: Memphis vs Murfreesboro (2026)
Budget-wise, hardwood flooring installation in Memphis ($10,100) runs 0% less than in Murfreesboro ($10,150), a roughly $50 spread.
Memphis TN
Lower costTypically around $10,100
Murfreesboro TN
Typically around $10,150
Memphis vs Murfreesboro: full breakdown
| Factor | Memphis | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $10,100 | $10,150 |
| Estimated range | $5,750–$14,400 | $5,800–$14,500 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×0.96 | ×0.97 |
| Climate zone | Mixed | Mixed |
| Climate factor | ×1 | ×1 |
| Local permit | None | None |
| Labor share | $6,050 | $6,100 |
| Materials/equipment | $4,050 | $4,050 |
Hardwood flooring installation numbers here are 2026 planning ranges, adjusted per city — useful for budgeting, not a substitute for an actual quote.
Is the gap worth worrying about?
0% is within noise for hardwood flooring installation — contractor selection and timing move the price more than which of these two metros you're in.
Hardwood flooring installation by type: Memphis vs Murfreesboro
Each hardwood flooring installation 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 | Memphis | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| Engineered hardwood | $5,750–$11,500 | $5,800–$11,600 |
| Red / white oak | $6,250–$12,450 | $6,300–$12,550 |
| Maple | $6,700–$13,400 | $6,750–$13,550 |
| Hickory | $7,200–$14,400 | $7,250–$14,500 |
| Walnut / exotic (Brazilian cherry) | $8,650–$17,250 | $8,700–$17,400 |
Treat these as 2026 localized estimates for hardwood flooring installation, not quotes from a contractor.
Hardwood flooring installation by floor area: Memphis vs Murfreesboro
Hardwood is priced per square foot installed — roughly $6–$25/sq ft depending on the wood and labor. Measure the rooms you're covering; bigger jobs cost more total but often less per square foot.
| Size | Memphis | Murfreesboro |
|---|---|---|
| 200 sq ft (small room) | $1,550–$4,300 | $1,550–$4,350 |
| 500 sq ft (large room) | $3,350–$8,650 | $3,400–$8,700 |
| 1,000 sq ft (main floor) | $5,750–$14,400 | $5,800–$14,500 |
| 1,500+ sq ft (whole home) | $8,650–$21,100 | $8,700–$21,250 |
Treat these as 2026 localized estimates for hardwood flooring installation, not quotes from a contractor.
What flooring pros earn in each metro
About 60% of a hardwood flooring installation 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.
Memphis metro · about 7% below the US average installer wage.
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin metro · about 6% 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 hardwood flooring installation in either city
Why January works: it's when flooring demand bottoms out, so retailers run clearance pricing and installers are more available than at any other point in the year.
How should you budget a flooring project?
Material choice and the subfloor underneath drive the real cost. Our editors on the trade-offs.
The longevity case
The math on solid hardwood favors people who aren't moving soon: it outlasts every cheaper option, refinishes rather than gets replaced when it wears, and buyers pay up for it. Owned long enough, the upfront gap all but disappears.
The hidden-cost case
The surprise isn't the flooring — it's the subfloor. Budget for leveling, removal and disposal; a bid that ignores them will be "revised" mid-job.
The material-value case
Luxury vinyl and laminate mimic wood grain convincingly, cost a fraction of the real plank, and shrug off spills that would warp hardwood. For a house with kids, pets and a firm budget, that trio is hard to argue with.
Whatever goes on top, the floor underneath decides whether the job holds up. Match the surface to your traffic and how long you're staying, price the leveling and removal in the open, and you sidestep the redo that sinks flooring projects.
Memphis vs Murfreesboro
Is hardwood flooring installation cheaper in Memphis or Murfreesboro?
Memphis wins on price: hardwood flooring installation runs about $10,100 there versus $10,150 in Murfreesboro, a gap of roughly $50 (0%) as of 2026.
Why does hardwood flooring installation cost more in Murfreesboro than Memphis?
Labor rates explain most of it — 0.97 in Murfreesboro vs 0.96 in Memphis. A mixed climate versus mixed accounts for the rest.
How much is hardwood flooring installation in Memphis, TN?
Expect to pay $5,750 to $14,400 for hardwood flooring installation in Memphis in 2026, averaging around $10,100.
Do flooring pros really charge more in one city?
Real wage data backs this up — skilled installers earn roughly $29/hr in Memphis compared with $29.4/hr in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (BLS OEWS). Labor is about 60% of a hardwood flooring installation job, so that wage gap is what mostly drives the price difference.
When is the cheapest time to buy hardwood flooring installation — and does it differ by city?
The best window is the same in both Memphis and Murfreesboro: Winter and the post-holiday January window, when demand drops and installers discount to keep crews busy — typically 5–10% off peak pricing. The most expensive time anywhere is an emergency replacement during late spring and summer.
Should I choose where to live based on hardwood flooring installation cost?
Not really — the $50 gap is one-time, and smart timing and tighter quotes in Murfreesboro can shrink it. Factors that compound over time, like energy prices and home condition, deserve more weight than a single upfront difference.
Compare hardwood flooring installation in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik