Bathroom remodel cost in Iowa City, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,350 – $21,600
- Per sq ft
- $93 – $464
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −7%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #181
- 1 = most expensive
A bathroom remodel in Iowa City, IA usually costs $4,350 to $21,600 for 45 sq ft. That works out to about $93 to $464 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $1,000 less. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $29.49 an hour in the Iowa City area, 4% below the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Iowa City, IA, standard level
$9,550 to $16,400
About $204 to $353 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 53% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,200 | $7,200 |
| Labor | $5,000 | $8,650 |
| Permits and fees | $350 | $570 |
| Total | $9,550 | $16,400 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Iowa City, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $5,700 | $9,500 | 44% |
| Labor | $2,300 | $6,850 | $11,400 | 53% |
| Permits and fees | $180 | $460 | $730 | 4% |
| Total | $4,350 | $13,000 | $21,600 | 100% |
Why Iowa City prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 6 trades: plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 25%, tile and stone setters at 25%, carpenters at 20%, electricians at 10%, drywall and ceiling tile installers at 10%, painters, construction and maintenance at 10%. Weighted together, Iowa City wages are 0.92 times the national level. Labor makes up about 53% of the midpoint estimate (53% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Iowa City is at 93.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $6,100 nationally becomes $5,700 here (midpoint, 45 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.5: $180 to $730.
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 Iowa City. The wage table below marks each row.
Iowa City against nearby metros and the rest of Iowa
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Iowa City. Dubuque comes closest at about $13,300.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IAthis page | $4,350 – $21,600 | $13,000 | |
| Cedar Rapids, IA40 miles | $4,600 – $22,900 | $13,700 | +6% |
| Davenport, IA60 miles | $4,750 – $23,600 | $14,200 | +9% |
| Dubuque, IA75 miles | $4,450 – $22,100 | $13,300 | +2% |
| Waterloo, IA80 miles | $4,450 – $22,200 | $13,300 | +3% |
| Des Moines, IA110 miles | $4,650 – $23,100 | $13,900 | +7% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $4,450 – $22,200 | $13,300 | +3% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Iowa City ranks #181 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Iowa City is 3% below the Iowa figure.
Elsewhere in Iowa
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $4,650 – $23,100 | $13,900 | +7% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $4,750 – $23,600 | $14,200 | +9% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $4,600 – $22,900 | $13,700 | +6% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $4,450 – $22,200 | $13,300 | +3% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $4,400 – $21,900 | $13,200 | +1% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $4,450 – $22,100 | $13,300 | +2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Iowa City against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 93,800 jobs | $4,900 – $24,400 | $14,700 | +13% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $5,100 – $25,400 | $15,300 | +18% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $5,250 – $26,000 | $15,600 | +20% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $5,550 – $27,600 | $16,600 | +28% |
What local crews earn in Iowa City
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 6 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Iowa City the blend is 0.92.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 25% of the weighting: a median of $29.49 an hour, 4% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.29 and $36.43 an hour. About 190 work in the metro. That is 20.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 25% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Iowa City metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median: $26.13 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.11 and $34.11 an hour.
Carpenters (47-2031), 20% of the weighting: a median of $23.89 an hour, 18% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.98 and $29.70 an hour. About 360 work in the metro. That is 38.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $28.61 an hour, which is 6% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $21.93 and $34.19 an hour. BLS counts 370 of them working in the area, 39.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Iowa City metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median: $24.53 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $21.54 and $29.70 an hour.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 10% of the weighting: a median of $21.62 an hour, 9% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $18.21 and $26.85 an hour. About 90 work in the metro. That is 9.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $420 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $380. That is a swing of roughly 2.9% to 3.2% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Iowa City has 93,760 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 214th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $23.29 | $29.49 | $36.43 | $30.67 | 0.96 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $23.11 | $26.13 | $34.11 | $26.77 | 0.98 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $21.98 | $23.89 | $29.70 | $29.12 | 0.82 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $21.93 | $28.61 | $34.19 | $30.38 | 0.94 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $21.54 | $24.53 | $29.70 | $28.33 | 0.87 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $18.21 | $21.62 | $26.85 | $23.75 | 0.91 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.92 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Iowa City
Jobs that often go together with bathroom remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Iowa City wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, shower pan comes out highest (−5%) and kitchen cabinets lowest (−11%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $890 – $2,650 | −5% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,100 – $29,200 | −7% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,850 – $12,400 | −11% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,200 – $14,000 | −7% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $280 – $1,400 | −5% |
Cost by quality level and size in Iowa City
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Iowa City. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from half bath (20 sq ft) to primary bath (100 sq ft).
Basic
$4,350 to $11,300
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$9,550 to $16,400
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$14,700 to $21,600
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,050 – $5,250 | $4,450 – $7,600 | $6,800 – $10,000 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $3,900 – $10,100 | $8,500 – $14,700 | $13,100 – $19,300 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,750 – $14,900 | $12,600 – $21,700 | $19,400 – $28,600 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,450 – $24,500 | $20,800 – $35,800 | $32,100 – $47,100 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Iowa City 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 Iowa City: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Iowa City?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,350 to $21,600 in the Iowa City area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,550 to $16,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Iowa City?
About $93 to $464 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $180 to $730 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Iowa City or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $13,700, which is 6% more than Iowa City ($13,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Iowa City?
About 53% at the midpoint, or $6,850 out of $13,000. Materials are 44% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Iowa City?
$5,750 to $28,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Iowa City?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $180 to $730 for fees in the Iowa City area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Iowa City expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Iowa?
Iowa City is 3% below the Iowa statewide estimate ($13,300 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Iowa City?
The BLS median is $29.49 an hour in the Iowa City area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.29 to $36.43.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Iowa City?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,350 to $11,300 and premium work $14,700 to $21,600. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Iowa City
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.