Hardwood flooring cost in Cedar Rapids, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (500 sq ft)
- $5,300 – $12,000
- Per sq ft
- $10.50 – $24
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −4%
- US $9,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #115
- 1 = most expensive
Cedar Rapids homeowners pay roughly $5,300 to $12,000 to install hardwood flooring at 500 sq ft, or $10.50 to $24 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Cedar Rapids is 4% lower. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 500 sq ft in Cedar Rapids, IA, standard level
$7,350 to $10,000
About $14.50 to $20 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,100 | $5,750 |
| Labor | $3,250 | $4,250 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $7,350 | $10,000 |
Cost breakdown for 500 sq ft in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,800 | $4,900 | $7,050 | 57% |
| Labor | $2,500 | $3,750 | $5,000 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $5,300 | $8,650 | $12,000 | 100% |
Where the Cedar Rapids price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: carpenters at 70%, floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) at 30%. Weighted together, Cedar Rapids wages are 1.00 times the national level. Labor makes up about 43% of the midpoint estimate (42% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Cedar Rapids metro is 93.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 500 sq ft comes to $4,900, compared with $5,250 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (89.0) and land at $0 to $0.
Cost by quality level and size in Cedar Rapids
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Cedar Rapids 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 3 common sizes.
Basic
$5,300 to $8,000
Standard solid oak, simple layout
Standard
$7,350 to $10,000
Wider planks or a better grade, some stairs
Premium
$9,350 to $12,000
Exotic species, herringbone or complex layout
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| one room (200 sq ft) | $2,100 – $3,200 | $2,950 – $4,000 | $3,750 – $4,800 |
| main floor (500 sq ft) | $5,300 – $8,000 | $7,350 – $10,000 | $9,350 – $12,000 |
| whole house (1,200 sq ft) | $12,700 – $19,200 | $17,600 – $24,000 | $22,400 – $28,900 |
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Cedar Rapids is 1.00 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 70%) the local median is $28.33 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.11 and $31.75 an hour. BLS counts 530 of them working in the area, 38.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
For floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) (47-2042, weighted 30%) the local median is $28.84 an hour, which is 6% above the national $27.15. The middle half of them earn between $24.83 and $31.93 an hour. BLS counts 30 of them working in the area, 2.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 1.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($31.75 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $310. At the 25th percentile ($23.11) it shrinks by about $470. The total moves by 3.6% or 5.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 139,260 jobs in the Cedar Rapids area. That makes it the 160th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.09% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 70% | $23.11 | $28.33 | $31.75 | $29.12 | 0.97 | metro |
| Floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) (47-2042) | 30% | $24.83 | $28.84 | $31.93 | $27.15 | 1.06 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.00 | |||||
Cedar Rapids against nearby metros and the rest of Iowa
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Cedar Rapids. Iowa City is the lowest at about $8,150 (midpoint, 500 sq ft), 40 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IAthis page | $5,300 – $12,000 | $8,650 | |
| Iowa City, IA40 miles | $5,000 – $11,400 | $8,150 | −6% |
| Dubuque, IA45 miles | $5,300 – $12,000 | $8,600 | −1% |
| Waterloo, IA55 miles | $5,150 – $11,700 | $8,450 | −3% |
| Davenport, IA75 miles | $5,250 – $11,900 | $8,600 | −1% |
| La Crosse, WI115 miles | $5,200 – $11,800 | $8,550 | −2% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $5,200 – $11,800 | $8,500 | −2% |
| United States | $5,500 – $12,500 | $9,000 | +4% |
Across 300 US metros, Cedar Rapids comes in at #115 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $11,500; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $7,300 (midpoints, 500 sq ft). Statewide, Cedar Rapids is 2% above the Iowa figure.
Other Iowa metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $5,400 – $12,300 | $8,850 | +2% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $5,250 – $11,900 | $8,600 | −1% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $5,000 – $11,400 | $8,150 | −6% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $5,150 – $11,700 | $8,450 | −3% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $5,050 – $11,500 | $8,250 | −5% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $5,300 – $12,000 | $8,600 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Cedar Rapids's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Cedar Rapids against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington, WV | 140,740 jobs | $5,000 – $11,400 | $8,200 | −5% |
| Rockford, IL | 137,650 jobs | $5,600 – $12,600 | $9,050 | +5% |
| Vallejo, CA | 144,130 jobs | $6,100 – $13,800 | $9,950 | +15% |
| Evansville, IN | 135,250 jobs | $5,350 – $12,200 | $8,750 | +1% |
Why two Cedar Rapids quotes can differ
Solid versus engineered
Solid hardwood is $11-$25 per sq ft installed and engineered hardwood is $9-$20 (HomeGuide).
Materials and labor
Materials are $6-$15 per sq ft and installation labor adds $3-$10 per sq ft.
Layout
Room shape, stairs and installation method change the labor side.
What nearby projects cost in Cedar Rapids
Because every project leans on different trades, Cedar Rapids's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, laminate flooring runs −1% and kitchen remodel −6%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate flooring | 500 sq ft | $2,000 – $6,900 | −1% |
| Tile flooring | 200 sq ft | $2,350 – $9,500 | −4% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,500 – $29,700 | −6% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,600 – $22,900 | −2% |
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 $7,350 to $10,000 for Cedar Rapids, IA is attached.
Detailed hardwood flooring report for Cedar Rapids, IA, $9
The report lays out the hardwood flooring numbers for Cedar Rapids, IA line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Hardwood flooring in Cedar Rapids: your questions
+How much does it cost to install hardwood flooring in Cedar Rapids?
For 500 sq ft, expect $5,300 to $12,000 in the Cedar Rapids area. A standard-spec job lands at $7,350 to $10,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for hardwood floor in Cedar Rapids?
About $10.50 to $24 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $11 to $25.
+Is hardwood floor cheaper in Cedar Rapids or Iowa City?
Iowa City is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 500 sq ft there is $8,150, which is 6% less than Cedar Rapids ($8,650). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Cedar Rapids?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $3,750 out of $8,650. Materials are 57% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would main floor (500 sq ft) cost in Cedar Rapids?
$5,300 to $12,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does hardwood floor need a permit in Cedar Rapids?
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 Cedar Rapids area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Cedar Rapids expensive for hardwood floor compared with the rest of Iowa?
Cedar Rapids is 2% above the Iowa statewide estimate ($8,500 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Cedar Rapids?
The BLS median is $28.33 an hour in the Cedar Rapids area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.11 to $31.75.
+What do basic and premium hardwood floor work cost in Cedar Rapids?
For 500 sq ft, basic work runs $5,300 to $8,000 and premium work $9,350 to $12,000. Basic means: standard solid oak, simple layout. Premium means: exotic species, herringbone or complex layout.
Hardwood flooring near Cedar Rapids
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.