Attic insulation cost in Akron, OH
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $1,050 – $4,100
- Per sq ft
- $1.05 – $4.10
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $2,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #60
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to insulate an attic in Akron, plan on $1,050 to $4,100 for 1,000 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $1.05 to $4.10 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 3% higher than the national one. Insulation workers, floor, ceiling and wall earn a median of $28.08 an hour in the Akron area, 19% above the US median of $23.62.
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Akron, OH, standard level
$1,950 to $3,200
About $1.95 to $3.20 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 42% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,100 | $1,900 |
| Labor | $890 | $1,250 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,950 | $3,200 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Akron, OH
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $470 | $1,500 | $2,550 | 58% |
| Labor | $600 | $1,100 | $1,550 | 42% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $1,050 | $2,600 | $4,100 | 100% |
Where the Akron price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: insulation workers, floor, ceiling and wall at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Akron wages are 1.20 times the national level. Labor makes up about 42% of the midpoint estimate (36% at national prices). BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Ohio statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Akron metro is 93.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 1,000 sq ft comes to $1,500, compared with $1,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (93.4) and land at $0 to $0.
Data note: 80% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Akron. The wage table below marks each row.
Akron labor market for attic insulation
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 Akron is 1.20 times the national level.
Insulation workers, floor, ceiling and wall (47-2131) carry 80% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Akron metro, so we used the Ohio statewide median: $28.08 an hour against $23.62 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $21.97 and $38.25 an hour.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $28.28 an hour, 25% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.50 and $37.65 an hour. About 1,830 work in the metro. That is 57.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the insulation workers, floor, ceiling and wall on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($38.25 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $310. At the 25th percentile ($21.97) it shrinks by about $190. The total moves by 12.0% or 7.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 319,560 jobs in the Akron area. That makes it the 80th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.21% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insulation workers, floor, ceiling and wall (47-2131) | 80% | $21.97 | $28.08 | $38.25 | $23.62 | 1.19 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.50 | $28.28 | $37.65 | $22.66 | 1.25 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.20 | |||||
Is Akron cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 1,000 sq ft range from $2,250 to $2,600 across Akron and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OHthis page | $1,050 – $4,100 | $2,600 | |
| Canton, OH30 miles | $1,050 – $4,050 | $2,550 | −1% |
| Youngstown, OH30 miles | $1,050 – $4,050 | $2,550 | −2% |
| Cleveland, OH35 miles | $970 – $3,850 | $2,400 | −7% |
| Wheeling, WV85 miles | $870 – $3,600 | $2,250 | −13% |
| Pittsburgh, PA90 miles | $990 – $4,000 | $2,500 | −3% |
| Ohio (statewide) | $1,050 – $4,050 | $2,550 | level |
| United States | $1,000 – $4,000 | $2,500 | −3% |
Across 300 US metros, Akron comes in at #60 from the top. The priciest is San Francisco, CA at $3,150; the cheapest is Morgantown, WV at $2,250 (midpoints, 1,000 sq ft). Statewide, Akron is 0% above the Ohio figure.
Other Ohio metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | 1,105,580 jobs | $1,250 – $4,550 | $2,900 | +13% |
| Cincinnati, OH | 1,101,030 jobs | $1,050 – $4,050 | $2,550 | −1% |
| Cleveland, OH | 1,031,130 jobs | $970 – $3,850 | $2,400 | −7% |
| Dayton, OH | 372,660 jobs | $1,050 – $4,050 | $2,550 | −1% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $1,050 – $4,050 | $2,550 | −1% |
| Canton, OH | 163,080 jobs | $1,050 – $4,050 | $2,550 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Akron's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Akron against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oxnard, CA | 323,890 jobs | $1,200 – $4,550 | $2,850 | +11% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 316,060 jobs | $1,050 – $4,100 | $2,600 | level |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $1,000 – $4,050 | $2,550 | −1% |
| Wichita, KS | 308,570 jobs | $980 – $3,850 | $2,400 | −6% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: attic insulation pricing in Akron
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Akron 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
$1,050 to $2,300
Blown-in fiberglass or cellulose to code R-value
Standard
$1,950 to $3,200
Higher R-value with air sealing around fixtures
Premium
$2,900 to $4,100
Spray foam or heavy air sealing, hard-to-reach attic
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small attic (600 sq ft) | $640 – $1,350 | $1,200 – $1,900 | $1,750 – $2,450 |
| average attic (1,000 sq ft) | $1,050 – $2,300 | $1,950 – $3,200 | $2,900 – $4,100 |
| large attic (1,800 sq ft) | $1,900 – $4,100 | $3,550 – $5,750 | $5,200 – $7,350 |
What nearby projects cost in Akron
Because every project leans on different trades, Akron's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gutters runs +2% and window replacement −4%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,100 – $12,300 | −1% |
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $10,500 – $32,400 | +1% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,550 – $25,700 | +2% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,350 – $14,400 | −4% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,350 – $4,250 | +2% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Akron bid
Removing old insulation
Old, wet or pest-damaged insulation has to come out first, at extra cost.
Type of insulation
Blown-in is $0.90-$2.40 per sq ft and loose-fill is $1.00-$2.50 installed; spray foam costs more (HomeGuide).
Job size
Small attics start around $500 and large ones go up to $6,000 (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 $1,950 to $3,200 for Akron, OH is attached.
Detailed attic insulation report for Akron, OH, $9
The report lays out the attic insulation numbers for Akron, OH 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.
Attic insulation in Akron: your questions
+How much does it cost to insulate an attic in Akron?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $1,050 to $4,100 in the Akron area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,950 to $3,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for attic insulation in Akron?
About $1.05 to $4.10 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $1 to $4.
+Is attic insulation cheaper in Akron or Canton?
Canton is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $2,550, which is 1% less than Akron ($2,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Akron?
About 42% at the midpoint, or $1,100 out of $2,600. Materials are 58% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 36%.
+What would average attic (1,000 sq ft) cost in Akron?
$1,050 to $4,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does attic insulation need a permit in Akron?
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 Akron area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Akron expensive for attic insulation compared with the rest of Ohio?
Akron is 0% above the Ohio statewide estimate ($2,550 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Ohio; see the state page to compare them.
+What do insulation workers, floor, ceiling and wall earn in Akron?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $28.08 an hour, compared with $23.62 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.97 to $38.25.
+What do basic and premium attic insulation work cost in Akron?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $1,050 to $2,300 and premium work $2,900 to $4,100. Basic means: blown-in fiberglass or cellulose to code R-value. Premium means: spray foam or heavy air sealing, hard-to-reach attic.
Attic insulation near Akron
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 Attic Insulation Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
Note on derived figures: Materials = installed price minus HomeGuide's $0.50-$1.30 per sq ft insulation labor, matched low-to-low and high-to-high.