Bathroom remodel cost in Athens, GA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,250 – $21,000
- Per sq ft
- $90 – $450
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −10%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #233
- 1 = most expensive
Athens homeowners pay roughly $4,250 to $21,000 to remodel a bathroom at 45 sq ft, or $90 to $450 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Athens is 10% lower. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $27.76 an hour in the Athens area, 9% below the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Athens, GA, standard level
$9,250 to $16,000
About $198 to $342 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,300 | $7,400 |
| Labor | $4,650 | $8,000 |
| Permits and fees | $350 | $580 |
| Total | $9,250 | $16,000 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Athens, GA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,950 | $5,850 | $9,750 | 46% |
| Labor | $2,100 | $6,300 | $10,500 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $190 | $470 | $750 | 4% |
| Total | $4,250 | $12,600 | $21,000 | 100% |
Where the Athens price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, who do 25% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $27.76 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Athens is 0.85 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 50% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Athens metro is 96.3 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 45 sq ft comes to $5,850, compared with $6,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (93.3) and land at $190 to $750.
Data note: 35% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Athens. The wage table below marks each row.
Pick a size, pick a tier: bathroom remodel pricing in Athens
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Athens wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$4,250 to $10,900
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$9,250 to $16,000
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$14,300 to $21,000
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,000 – $5,100 | $4,300 – $7,400 | $6,650 – $9,750 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $3,800 – $9,800 | $8,300 – $14,300 | $12,800 – $18,800 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,600 – $14,500 | $12,200 – $21,100 | $18,900 – $27,800 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,200 – $23,800 | $20,200 – $34,800 | $31,100 – $45,800 |
Athens against nearby metros and the rest of Georgia
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Athens. Greenville is the lowest at about $12,300 (midpoint, 45 sq ft), 70 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, GAthis page | $4,250 – $21,000 | $12,600 | |
| Gainesville, GA45 miles | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | level |
| Greenville, SC70 miles | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −2% |
| Atlanta, GA70 miles | $4,450 – $22,200 | $13,300 | +6% |
| Augusta, GA80 miles | $4,350 – $21,600 | $13,000 | +3% |
| Macon, GA80 miles | $4,150 – $20,600 | $12,400 | −2% |
| Georgia (statewide) | $4,400 – $21,800 | $13,100 | +4% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +11% |
Across 300 US metros, Athens comes in at #233 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, Athens is 4% below the Georgia figure.
Other Georgia metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $4,450 – $22,200 | $13,300 | +6% |
| Augusta, GA | 231,930 jobs | $4,350 – $21,600 | $13,000 | +3% |
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $4,350 – $21,500 | $12,900 | +2% |
| Columbus, GA | 116,380 jobs | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −2% |
| Gainesville, GA | 103,870 jobs | $4,250 – $21,100 | $12,700 | level |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $4,150 – $20,600 | $12,400 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Athens's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Athens against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $5,100 – $25,200 | $15,100 | +20% |
| Fort Smith, AR | 95,560 jobs | $3,900 – $19,400 | $11,600 | −8% |
| Binghamton, NY | 97,030 jobs | $5,050 – $25,200 | $15,100 | +20% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $4,150 – $20,600 | $12,400 | −2% |
What nearby projects cost in Athens
Because every project leans on different trades, Athens's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, kitchen remodel runs −7% and kitchen cabinets −14%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $830 – $2,550 | −9% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,200 – $29,300 | −7% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,800 – $11,900 | −14% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,050 – $13,800 | −8% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,350 | −9% |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 6 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Athens is 0.85 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $27.76 an hour, which is 9% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.55 and $32.13 an hour. BLS counts 210 of them working in the area, 21.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 25% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Athens metro, so we used the Georgia statewide median: $23.00 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $20.94 and $27.57 an hour.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 20%) the local median is $21.51 an hour, which is 26% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $17.97 and $25.72 an hour. BLS counts 100 of them working in the area, 10.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.92 an hour, 21% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $18.28 and $34.50 an hour. About 390 work in the metro. That is 40.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Athens metro, so we used the Georgia statewide median: $28.01 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $24.62 and $29.83 an hour.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 10%) the local median is $19.74 an hour, which is 17% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $17.67 and $22.44 an hour. BLS counts 50 of them working in the area, 5.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($32.13 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $260. At the 25th percentile ($22.55) it shrinks by about $320. The total moves by 2.1% or 2.5%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 95,800 jobs in the Athens-Clarke County area. That makes it the 209th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.06% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $22.55 | $27.76 | $32.13 | $30.67 | 0.91 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $20.94 | $23.00 | $27.57 | $26.77 | 0.86 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $17.97 | $21.51 | $25.72 | $29.12 | 0.74 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $18.28 | $23.92 | $34.50 | $30.38 | 0.79 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $24.62 | $28.01 | $29.83 | $28.33 | 0.99 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $17.67 | $19.74 | $22.44 | $23.75 | 0.83 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.85 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Athens bid
Permit
A bathroom remodel permit is $200-$800, more if you move walls (HomeGuide).
Size
HomeGuide's average-size bathroom comes to $3,500-$25,000+; per square foot it's $100-$500.
Tile
New tile costs $10-$50 per square foot installed, and regrouting runs $7-$28 per square foot.
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Bathroom remodel in Athens: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Athens?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,250 to $21,000 in the Athens area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,250 to $16,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Athens?
About $90 to $450 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $190 to $750 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Athens or Gainesville?
Gainesville is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $12,700, which is 0% more than Athens ($12,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Athens?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $6,300 out of $12,600. Materials are 46% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Athens?
$5,600 to $27,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Athens?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $190 to $750 for fees in the Athens area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Athens expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Georgia?
Athens is 4% below the Georgia statewide estimate ($13,100 at the midpoint). We cover 10 metros in Georgia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Athens?
The BLS median is $27.76 an hour in the Athens area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.55 to $32.13.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Athens?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,250 to $10,900 and premium work $14,300 to $21,000. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Athens
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
Note on derived figures: Materials = 45% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range split for bathroom projects (50% labor, 45% materials, 5% permits and design). Their sample is their own guides, not a survey of contractors, so treat the split as approximate.