Metal Roof Installation cost: Franklin vs Memphis (2026)
In 2026, metal roof installation is about 1% more expensive in Franklin than in Memphis. Most homeowners pay around $21,050 in Franklin versus $20,850 in Memphis — a gap of roughly $200.
Franklin TN
Typically around $21,050
Memphis TN
Lower costTypically around $20,850
Franklin vs Memphis: full breakdown
| Factor | Franklin | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $21,050 | $20,850 |
| Estimated range | $12,850–$29,250 | $12,700–$29,000 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×0.97 | ×0.96 |
| Climate zone | Mixed | Mixed |
| Climate factor | ×1 | ×1 |
| Local permit | $275 | $250 |
| Labor share | $12,650 | $12,500 |
| Materials/equipment | $8,400 | $8,350 |
Localized 2026 planning estimates — not quotes. Each city adjusts the national metal roof installation range for local labor, climate and permits.
Is the gap worth worrying about?
At 1%, this gap is small enough that it's usually swallowed by normal quote-to-quote variation for metal roof installation — focus on the contractor, not the city.
Metal roof installation by type: Franklin vs Memphis
Each metal roof 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 | Franklin | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Corrugated steel (exposed fastener) | $8,950–$17,650 | $8,900–$17,500 |
| Standing-seam steel | $17,650–$34,100 | $17,500–$33,800 |
| Aluminum | $13,800–$27,350 | $13,650–$27,100 |
| Copper | $29,250–$58,250 | $29,000–$57,750 |
| Zinc | $27,350–$53,450 | $27,100–$52,950 |
Localized 2026 planning estimates — not quotes. Each city adjusts the national metal roof installation range for local labor, climate and permits.
Metal roof installation by roof size: Franklin vs Memphis
Metal roofing is priced per square (100 sq ft) and costs roughly $6–$14 per sq ft installed — two to three times asphalt, but it lasts decades longer. Standing-seam costs more than exposed-fastener panels.
| Size | Franklin | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft (10 squares) | $8,000–$15,750 | $7,900–$15,600 |
| 1,500 sq ft (15 squares) | $10,900–$22,500 | $10,800–$22,300 |
| 2,000 sq ft (20 squares) | $12,850–$29,250 | $12,700–$29,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft (25 squares) | $15,750–$35,050 | $15,600–$34,750 |
| 3,000+ sq ft (30 squares) | $18,650–$40,850 | $18,450–$40,500 |
Localized 2026 planning estimates — not quotes. Each city adjusts the national metal roof installation range for local labor, climate and permits.
What roofing pros earn in each metro
With labor making up about 60% of a metal roof installation job, wage differences between metros do most of the work here. These figures are real BLS OEWS installer wages, not modeled estimates.
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 metal roof installation in either city
Roofers are slammed the moment warm weather returns, especially after storms. Get on their books in the off-season for a spring job and you're negotiating with an empty calendar, not a waiting list.
Where does a smart roofing budget go in 2026?
Two roofs of the same square footage can price hundreds apart because of something you can't see from the ground — the deck under the old shingles. Add the tear-off-versus-overlay call and the shingle grade, and you have the decisions that actually move the number.
The value case
Architectural shingles sit between bargain 3-tab and premium metal or tile, and for most houses that middle ground is exactly right. They carry longer wind and wear ratings than 3-tab for a small step up in price, without the four-figure jump metal or tile demands.
The do-it-right case
A full tear-off lets the crew replace underlayment, flashing and ventilation while the deck is exposed — the layers that actually keep water out. Covering old shingles with new ones costs less on install day, but the trapped heat shortens shingle life, and many manufacturers won't honor a warranty on an overlay.
The risk case
Nail down the per-sheet decking rate in writing before anyone climbs up. Soft or rotted plywood is the most common mid-job discovery, and without an agreed number the crew names the price after they've already found the damage — turning a cheap quote into an open tab.
Judge a roofing bid on its scope, not its bottom line — a genuine tear-off, a documented per-sheet deck rate, and a mid-grade architectural shingle. Those three close the gaps that let a low storm-season number balloon over the years.
Franklin vs Memphis
Is metal roof installation cheaper in Franklin or Memphis?
Memphis wins on price: metal roof installation runs about $20,850 there versus $21,050 in Franklin, a gap of roughly $200 (1%) as of 2026.
Why does metal roof installation cost more in Franklin than Memphis?
The main driver is local labor rates: Franklin's labor index is 0.97 versus 0.96 in Memphis. Climate zone (mixed vs mixed) and permit fees also shift the total.
How much is metal roof installation in Franklin, TN?
metal roof installation in Franklin runs $12,850–$29,250 as of 2026 — most jobs land near $21,050.
Do roofing pros really charge more in one city?
They do, and the BLS wage data confirms it: installers earn about $29.4/hr around Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin versus $29/hr near Memphis. With labor making up about 60% of a metal roof installation job, that difference carries straight through to the final price.
When is the cheapest time to buy metal roof installation — and does it differ by city?
Timing doesn't change by city here — Late spring to early fall (dry, 45–85°F) is the cheapest window in both Franklin and Memphis, saving roughly 5–10%. Avoid mid-winter and the post-storm rush in either location, when emergency replacements push prices up.
Should I choose where to live based on metal roof installation cost?
Rarely. The $200 difference is real but one-time, and you can often close most of it in Franklin by buying in the off-season and getting tighter, apples-to-apples bids. Ongoing factors — energy prices, climate and home condition — matter more over the life of the system.
Compare metal roof installation in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik