Front door cost in Iowa City, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1 door)
- $440 – $2,300
- Per door
- $440 – $2,296
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $1,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #262
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to replace a front door in Iowa City, plan on $440 to $2,300 for 1 door, all in. Per door, that is $440 to $2,296 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 9% lower than the national one. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 1 door in Iowa City, IA, standard level
$1,000 to $1,750
About $997 to $1,739 per door before permits. Labor is about 25% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $690 | $1,350 |
| Labor | $300 | $370 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,750 |
Cost breakdown for 1 door in Iowa City, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $190 | $1,050 | $1,850 | 75% |
| Labor | $250 | $340 | $420 | 25% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $440 | $1,350 | $2,300 | 100% |
Why Iowa City prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 85% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $23.89 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Iowa City is 0.84 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 25% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Iowa City metro is 93.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 1 door comes to $1,050, compared with $1,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (91.5) and land at $0 to $0.
Iowa City labor market for front door
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Iowa City is 0.84 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 85%) the local median is $23.89 an hour, which is 18% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.98 and $29.70 an hour. BLS counts 360 of them working in the area, 38.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
General maintenance and repair workers (49-9071), 15% of the weighting: a median of $22.96 an hour, 4% below the US median of $23.84. The middle half of them earn between $18.61 and $28.99 an hour. About 710 work in the metro. That is 75.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 98.4 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($29.70 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $70. At the 25th percentile ($21.98) it shrinks by about $20. The total moves by 5.0% or 1.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 93,760 jobs in the Iowa City area. That makes it the 214th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 85% | $21.98 | $23.89 | $29.70 | $29.12 | 0.82 | metro |
| General maintenance and repair workers (49-9071) | 15% | $18.61 | $22.96 | $28.99 | $23.84 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.84 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Iowa City
Because every project leans on different trades, Iowa City's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, window replacement runs −7% and storm door −10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storm door | 1 door | $310 – $860 | −10% |
| Patio door | 1 door | $550 – $5,500 | −9% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,200 – $14,000 | −7% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $640 – $3,400 | −8% |
Iowa City against nearby metros and the rest of Iowa
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Iowa City. Waterloo comes closest at about $1,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IAthis page | $440 – $2,300 | $1,350 | |
| Cedar Rapids, IA40 miles | $480 – $2,350 | $1,400 | +4% |
| Davenport, IA60 miles | $490 – $2,400 | $1,450 | +5% |
| Dubuque, IA75 miles | $490 – $2,400 | $1,450 | +5% |
| Waterloo, IA80 miles | $470 – $2,350 | $1,400 | +3% |
| Des Moines, IA110 miles | $490 – $2,400 | $1,450 | +5% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $480 – $2,350 | $1,400 | +4% |
| United States | $500 – $2,500 | $1,500 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Iowa City comes in at #262 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $1,800; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $1,300 (midpoints, 1 door). Statewide, Iowa City is 4% below the Iowa figure.
Other Iowa metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $490 – $2,400 | $1,450 | +5% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $490 – $2,400 | $1,450 | +5% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $480 – $2,350 | $1,400 | +4% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $470 – $2,350 | $1,400 | +3% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $460 – $2,350 | $1,400 | +2% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $490 – $2,400 | $1,450 | +5% |
Cities with a workforce like Iowa City's
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 | $480 – $2,400 | $1,450 | +6% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $600 – $2,550 | $1,600 | +15% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $540 – $2,500 | $1,550 | +12% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $540 – $2,650 | $1,600 | +16% |
Iowa City: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Iowa City 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 2 common sizes.
Basic
$440 to $1,200
Basic steel door, same size opening
Standard
$1,000 to $1,750
Fiberglass door with sidelight trim or glass
Premium
$1,550 to $2,300
Wood or custom door, frame work needed
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single entry door | $440 – $1,200 | $1,000 – $1,750 | $1,550 – $2,300 |
| front and side doors | $880 – $2,350 | $2,000 – $3,500 | $3,100 – $4,600 |
Climate in Iowa City: timing your front door job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Iowa City Muni Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Iowa City (9 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February and December the average high stays below 45°F. Sealants, adhesives and some materials, such as vinyl, are harder to install well in the cold, and short daylight cuts the working day.
Iowa City gets about 36 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and August (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 2.2 and 2.2 inches. The station averages about 19 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31 | 15 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 36 | 19 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Mar | 50 | 30 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Apr | 63 | 40 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 73 | 52 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 83 | 62 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 66 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 63 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Sep | 78 | 54 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 64 | 42 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 30 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 36 | 20 | 1.4 | Cold |
Why two Iowa City quotes can differ
Frame
Frame repair adds $75-$200+; rebuilding the opening for a new size costs $7-$20 per linear foot for framing.
Paint
Painting an unfinished door adds $125-$225; door and trim together are $150-$400.
Door material
Basic steel doors run about $200-$600 for the door; fiberglass and wood go to $2,000 (HomeGuide).
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $1,000 to $1,750 for Iowa City, IA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Iowa City, IA: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Front door in Iowa City: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace a front door in Iowa City?
For 1 door, expect $440 to $2,300 in the Iowa City area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,000 to $1,750. Small jobs usually cost more per door and large ones less.
+What is the price per door for front door in Iowa City?
About $440 to $2,296 per door for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $500 to $2,500.
+Is front door cheaper in Iowa City or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 1 door there is $1,400, which is 4% more than Iowa City ($1,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Iowa City?
About 25% at the midpoint, or $340 out of $1,350. Materials are 75% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 27%.
+What would front and side doors cost in Iowa City?
$880 to $4,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does front door need a permit in Iowa City?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $0 for fees in the Iowa City area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Iowa City expensive for front door compared with the rest of Iowa?
Iowa City is 4% below the Iowa statewide estimate ($1,400 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Iowa City?
The BLS median is $23.89 an hour in the Iowa City area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.98 to $29.70.
+What do basic and premium front door work cost in Iowa City?
For 1 door, basic work runs $440 to $1,200 and premium work $1,550 to $2,300. Basic means: basic steel door, same size opening. Premium means: wood or custom door, frame work needed.
+When is the best time to replace a front door in Iowa City?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. March and November are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Front door 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 Front Door Replacement Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = HomeGuide's door prices, from about $200 for a basic steel door to $2,000 for higher-end fiberglass or wood.