Bathroom remodel cost in Topeka, KS
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,500 – $22,300
- Per sq ft
- $96 – $480
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −4%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #149
- 1 = most expensive
A bathroom remodel in Topeka, KS usually costs $4,500 to $22,300 for 45 sq ft. That works out to about $96 to $480 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $600 less. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 94.0).
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in Topeka, KS, standard level
$9,850 to $17,000
About $211 to $365 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,200 | $7,250 |
| Labor | $5,300 | $9,200 |
| Permits and fees | $340 | $550 |
| Total | $9,850 | $17,000 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in Topeka, KS
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $5,700 | $9,500 | 43% |
| Labor | $2,400 | $7,250 | $12,100 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $180 | $440 | $710 | 3% |
| Total | $4,500 | $13,400 | $22,300 | 100% |
Where the Topeka 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 $36.10 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Topeka is 0.98 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 54% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Topeka is at 94.0 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 88.8: $180 to $710.
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 Topeka. The wage table below marks each row.
Bathroom remodel: what moves the price in Topeka
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.
Moving plumbing
Keeping the toilet, tub and vanity in place keeps plumbing costs down. Moving them does not.
Is Topeka cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Topeka. Wichita is the lowest at about $12,900 (midpoint, 45 sq ft), 125 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka, KSthis page | $4,500 – $22,300 | $13,400 | |
| Kansas City, MO75 miles | $4,700 – $23,400 | $14,100 | +5% |
| Wichita, KS125 miles | $4,300 – $21,400 | $12,900 | −4% |
| Lincoln, NE135 miles | $4,400 – $21,900 | $13,200 | −2% |
| Joplin, MO150 miles | $4,550 – $22,500 | $13,500 | +1% |
| Omaha, NE155 miles | $4,550 – $22,500 | $13,500 | +1% |
| Kansas (statewide) | $4,450 – $22,100 | $13,200 | −1% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | +4% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Topeka ranks #149 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Topeka is 1% above the Kansas figure.
Elsewhere in Kansas
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita, KS | 308,570 jobs | $4,300 – $21,400 | $12,900 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Topeka against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, GA | 116,380 jobs | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −8% |
| Tyler, TX | 115,220 jobs | $4,000 – $19,900 | $12,000 | −11% |
| Longview, TX | 118,060 jobs | $4,150 – $20,500 | $12,300 | −8% |
| Charlottesville, VA | 114,780 jobs | $4,400 – $21,900 | $13,200 | −2% |
What local crews earn in Topeka
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 Topeka the blend is 0.98.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 25% of the weighting: a median of $36.10 an hour, 18% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.59 and $43.10 an hour. About 420 work in the metro. That is 36.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 25% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Topeka metro, so we used the Kansas statewide median: $26.40 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.50 and $29.74 an hour.
Carpenters (47-2031), 20% of the weighting: a median of $24.62 an hour, 15% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.76 and $29.63 an hour. About 360 work in the metro. That is 31.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $31.50 an hour, which is 4% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $28.85 and $38.73 an hour. BLS counts 510 of them working in the area, 44.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is about average.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Topeka metro, so we used the Kansas statewide median: $19.18 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $17.25 and $26.89 an hour.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 10% of the weighting: a median of $22.45 an hour, 5% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $17.23 and $24.30 an hour. About 170 work in the metro. That is 14.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
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 $760. That is a swing of roughly 5.6% to 3.2% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Topeka has 115,750 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 188th 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% | $23.59 | $36.10 | $43.10 | $30.67 | 1.18 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $23.50 | $26.40 | $29.74 | $26.77 | 0.99 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $22.76 | $24.62 | $29.63 | $29.12 | 0.85 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $28.85 | $31.50 | $38.73 | $30.38 | 1.04 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $17.25 | $19.18 | $26.89 | $28.33 | 0.68 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $17.23 | $22.45 | $24.30 | $23.75 | 0.95 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.98 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Topeka?
Jobs that often go together with bathroom remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Topeka wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, shower pan comes out highest (+1%) and window replacement lowest (−9%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $980 – $2,800 | +1% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,300 – $29,500 | −6% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,900 – $12,800 | −9% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,100 – $13,700 | −9% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $290 – $1,450 | −5% |
Cost by quality level and size in Topeka
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Topeka. 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
$4,500 to $11,600
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$9,850 to $17,000
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$15,200 to $22,300
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,100 – $5,400 | $4,550 – $7,850 | $7,000 – $10,300 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $4,000 – $10,400 | $8,800 – $15,100 | $13,600 – $19,900 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $5,950 – $15,400 | $13,000 – $22,400 | $20,100 – $29,500 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $9,800 – $25,300 | $21,500 – $37,000 | $33,100 – $48,700 |
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Bathroom remodel in Topeka: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in Topeka?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,500 to $22,300 in the Topeka area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,850 to $17,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in Topeka?
About $96 to $480 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $180 to $710 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in Topeka or Kansas City?
Kansas City is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $14,100, which is 5% more than Topeka ($13,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Topeka?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $7,250 out of $13,400. Materials are 43% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in Topeka?
$5,950 to $29,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in Topeka?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $180 to $710 for fees in the Topeka area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Topeka expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Kansas?
Topeka is 1% above the Kansas statewide estimate ($13,200 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Kansas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in Topeka?
The BLS median is $36.10 an hour in the Topeka area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.59 to $43.10.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in Topeka?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,500 to $11,600 and premium work $15,200 to $22,300. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near Topeka
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.