Hardwood flooring cost in Kenosha, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (500 sq ft)
- $5,600 – $12,800
- Per sq ft
- $11 – $25.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $9,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #56
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install hardwood flooring in Kenosha, plan on $5,600 to $12,800 for 500 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $11 to $25.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Building materials run about 6% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 106.2).
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Estimated cost for 500 sq ft in Kenosha, WI, standard level
$7,800 to $10,700
About $15.50 to $21.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 40% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,600 | $6,550 |
| Labor | $3,150 | $4,150 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $7,800 | $10,700 |
Cost breakdown for 500 sq ft in Kenosha, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,200 | $5,550 | $7,950 | 60% |
| Labor | $2,450 | $3,650 | $4,900 | 40% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $5,600 | $9,250 | $12,800 | 100% |
What is behind the Kenosha number
Labor is 40% of the midpoint bill here, against 42% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (70%), floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) (30%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Kenosha the blended ratio comes out at 0.98.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Kenosha metro is 106.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 500 sq ft comes to $5,550, compared with $5,250 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (101.1) and land at $0 to $0.
Data note: 30% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Kenosha. The wage table below marks each row.
Kenosha labor market for hardwood floor
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 Kenosha is 0.98 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 70%) the local median is $28.90 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.15 and $35.62 an hour. BLS counts 310 of them working in the area, 41.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) (47-2042) carry 30% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Kenosha metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median: $25.42 an hour against $27.15 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $22.49 and $34.27 an hour.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($35.62 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $610. At the 25th percentile ($24.15) it shrinks by about $430. The total moves by 6.6% or 4.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 75,450 jobs in the Kenosha area. That makes it the 245th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 70% | $24.15 | $28.90 | $35.62 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) (47-2042) | 30% | $22.49 | $25.42 | $34.27 | $27.15 | 0.94 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.98 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Kenosha
Because every project leans on different trades, Kenosha's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, tile flooring runs +8% and laminate flooring level.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate flooring | 500 sq ft | $1,950 – $7,000 | level |
| Tile flooring | 200 sq ft | $2,650 – $10,800 | +8% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $19,700 – $33,400 | +6% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,100 – $25,200 | +8% |
Is Kenosha cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Kenosha. Racine is the lowest at about $8,500 (midpoint, 500 sq ft), 15 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenosha, WIthis page | $5,600 – $12,800 | $9,250 | |
| Racine, WI15 miles | $5,200 – $11,800 | $8,500 | −8% |
| Milwaukee, WI20 miles | $5,350 – $12,100 | $8,750 | −5% |
| Chicago, IL55 miles | $6,500 – $14,600 | $10,500 | +14% |
| Janesville, WI60 miles | $5,700 – $12,800 | $9,250 | level |
| Rockford, IL60 miles | $5,600 – $12,600 | $9,050 | −2% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $5,300 – $12,000 | $8,700 | −6% |
| United States | $5,500 – $12,500 | $9,000 | −3% |
Across 300 US metros, Kenosha comes in at #56 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $11,500; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $7,300 (midpoints, 500 sq ft). Statewide, Kenosha is 6% above the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $5,350 – $12,100 | $8,750 | −5% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $5,300 – $12,000 | $8,650 | −6% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $5,350 – $12,100 | $8,750 | −5% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $5,300 – $12,000 | $8,700 | −6% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $5,950 – $13,300 | $9,650 | +4% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $5,200 – $11,900 | $8,550 | −8% |
Cities with a workforce like Kenosha's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Kenosha against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warner Robins, GA | 76,050 jobs | $4,850 – $11,100 | $8,000 | −13% |
| Abilene, TX | 75,070 jobs | $4,650 – $10,700 | $7,650 | −17% |
| Racine, WI | 76,280 jobs | $5,200 – $11,800 | $8,500 | −8% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $5,050 – $11,500 | $8,250 | −11% |
Cost by quality level and size in Kenosha
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Kenosha 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
$5,600 to $8,500
Standard solid oak, simple layout
Standard
$7,800 to $10,700
Wider planks or a better grade, some stairs
Premium
$9,950 to $12,800
Exotic species, herringbone or complex layout
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| one room (200 sq ft) | $2,250 – $3,400 | $3,100 – $4,250 | $4,000 – $5,150 |
| main floor (500 sq ft) | $5,600 – $8,500 | $7,800 – $10,700 | $9,950 – $12,800 |
| whole house (1,200 sq ft) | $13,500 – $20,400 | $18,700 – $25,600 | $23,900 – $30,800 |
Hardwood flooring: what moves the price in Kenosha
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.
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 $7,800 to $10,700 for Kenosha, WI is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Kenosha, WI: 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.
Hardwood flooring in Kenosha: your questions
+How much does it cost to install hardwood flooring in Kenosha?
For 500 sq ft, expect $5,600 to $12,800 in the Kenosha area. A standard-spec job lands at $7,800 to $10,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for hardwood floor in Kenosha?
About $11 to $25.50 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 Kenosha or Racine?
Racine is 15 miles away. The midpoint for 500 sq ft there is $8,500, which is 8% less than Kenosha ($9,250). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Kenosha?
About 40% at the midpoint, or $3,650 out of $9,250. Materials are 60% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would main floor (500 sq ft) cost in Kenosha?
$5,600 to $12,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does hardwood floor need a permit in Kenosha?
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 Kenosha area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Kenosha expensive for hardwood floor compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Kenosha is 6% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($8,700 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Kenosha?
The BLS median is $28.90 an hour in the Kenosha area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.15 to $35.62.
+What do basic and premium hardwood floor work cost in Kenosha?
For 500 sq ft, basic work runs $5,600 to $8,500 and premium work $9,950 to $12,800. Basic means: standard solid oak, simple layout. Premium means: exotic species, herringbone or complex layout.
Hardwood flooring near Kenosha
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.