Tile Flooring Installation cost: Memphis vs Nashville (2026)
The two metros aren't quite in sync on tile flooring installation: Memphis sits 1% below Nashville, or roughly $7,450 versus $7,500 — about $50 apart.
Memphis TN
Lower costTypically around $7,450
Nashville TN
Typically around $7,500
Memphis vs Nashville: full breakdown
| Factor | Memphis | Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $7,450 | $7,500 |
| Estimated range | $3,350–$11,500 | $3,400–$11,600 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×0.96 | ×0.97 |
| Climate zone | Mixed | Mixed |
| Climate factor | ×1 | ×1 |
| Local permit | None | None |
| Labor share | $4,450 | $4,500 |
| Materials/equipment | $3,000 | $3,000 |
Treat these as 2026 localized estimates for tile flooring installation, not quotes from a contractor.
Is the gap worth worrying about?
1% is within noise for tile flooring installation — contractor selection and timing move the price more than which of these two metros you're in.
Tile flooring installation by type: Memphis vs Nashville
Every tile flooring installation type gets its own localized price for each metro, using the same labor, climate and permit adjustments — a true apples-to-apples comparison.
| Type | Memphis | Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | $3,350–$7,650 | $3,400–$7,750 |
| Porcelain | $4,300–$9,600 | $4,350–$9,650 |
| Natural stone (travertine / slate) | $5,750–$13,400 | $5,800–$13,550 |
| Marble | $7,650–$17,250 | $7,750–$17,400 |
Treat these as 2026 localized estimates for tile flooring installation, not quotes from a contractor.
Tile flooring installation by floor area: Memphis vs Nashville
Tile is priced around $7–$25/sq ft for a complete installed job — labor-heavy because of mortar, leveling, grouting, and cuts. Intricate patterns and large rooms with many cuts push the per-square-foot cost up.
| Size | Memphis | Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft (bathroom) | $750–$2,400 | $750–$2,400 |
| 200 sq ft (small room) | $1,450–$4,300 | $1,450–$4,350 |
| 500 sq ft (large room) | $3,350–$8,650 | $3,400–$8,700 |
| 1,000+ sq ft (main floor) | $6,700–$15,350 | $6,750–$15,450 |
All figures are 2026 localized planning estimates for tile flooring installation — get an actual quote before you commit.
What flooring pros earn in each metro
With labor making up about 60% of a tile flooring installation job, wage differences between metros do most of the work here. These figures are real BLS OEWS installer wages, not modeled 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 tile flooring installation in either city
January is a double win: retailers are clearing inventory after the holiday lull, and installers, who are also quieter this time of year, have room on their schedule.
How should you budget a flooring project?
Homeowners budget for the flooring they can see and forget the subfloor they can't. Our editors on how to weigh both.
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
You get the warmth of a wood floor without paying wood prices — LVP and laminate deliver the look and hold up to moisture far better in kitchens, baths and basements. In high-traffic homes watching the bottom line, they're the practical winner.
The longevity case
Hardwood carries a higher sticker, but a solid plank sands and refinishes several times across its life and it lifts what the house sells for. For owners planning to stay, spreading that cost over decades makes the premium reasonable.
Match material to how long you'll own the home and how hard the room gets used, and always price the subfloor separately. It's the line item that turns a good deal into a bad one when it's missing.
Memphis vs Nashville
Is tile flooring installation cheaper in Memphis or Nashville?
Memphis wins on price: tile flooring installation runs about $7,450 there versus $7,500 in Nashville, a gap of roughly $50 (1%) as of 2026.
Why does tile flooring installation cost more in Nashville than Memphis?
The main driver is local labor rates: Nashville's labor index is 0.97 versus 0.96 in Memphis. Climate zone (mixed vs mixed) also shift the total.
How much is tile flooring installation in Memphis, TN?
tile flooring installation in Memphis runs $3,350–$11,500 as of 2026 — most jobs land near $7,450.
Do flooring 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 $29.4/hr in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin. Given labor is around 60% of a tile flooring installation job's cost, that gap explains most of the price spread.
When is the cheapest time to buy tile flooring installation — and does it differ by city?
It doesn't vary by location — Winter and the post-holiday January window is the discount window in both Memphis and Nashville (roughly 5–10% off), while late spring and summer tends to be the most expensive in either city.
Should I choose where to live based on tile flooring installation cost?
Probably not. Yes, $50 is a real gap, but it's a one-time cost you can partly offset in Nashville with off-season timing and tighter bids. Long-term factors like energy prices and home condition matter more than this one number.
Compare tile flooring installation in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik