Laminate flooring cost in Dayton, OH
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (500 sq ft)
- $2,000 – $6,900
- Per sq ft
- $4 – $14
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $4,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #92
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install laminate flooring in Dayton, plan on $2,000 to $6,900 for 500 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $4 to $14 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.6).
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Estimated cost for 500 sq ft in Dayton, OH, standard level
$3,450 to $5,400
About $6.90 to $11 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 63% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $2,100 |
| Labor | $2,300 | $3,300 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $3,450 | $5,400 |
Cost breakdown for 500 sq ft in Dayton, OH
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $470 | $1,650 | $2,800 | 37% |
| Labor | $1,550 | $2,800 | $4,050 | 63% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $2,000 | $4,450 | $6,900 | 100% |
Where the Dayton price comes from
Labor is 63% of the midpoint bill here, against 61% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) (60%), carpenters (40%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Dayton the blended ratio comes out at 1.02. 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 Dayton metro is 93.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 500 sq ft comes to $1,650, compared with $1,750 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (92.7) and land at $0 to $0.
Data note: 60% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Dayton. The wage table below marks each row.
Is Dayton cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (500 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Columbus is the priciest of the group at $4,750. Lexington is the cheapest at $4,100.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton, OHthis page | $2,000 – $6,900 | $4,450 | |
| Cincinnati, OH55 miles | $2,000 – $6,850 | $4,400 | level |
| Columbus, OH70 miles | $2,150 – $7,350 | $4,750 | +7% |
| Fort Wayne, IN100 miles | $1,850 – $6,550 | $4,200 | −5% |
| Indianapolis, IN105 miles | $2,050 – $7,050 | $4,550 | +3% |
| Lexington, KY120 miles | $1,800 – $6,400 | $4,100 | −8% |
| Ohio (statewide) | $2,000 – $6,950 | $4,500 | +1% |
| United States | $2,000 – $7,000 | $4,500 | +1% |
Across 300 US metros, Dayton comes in at #92 from the top. The priciest is San Jose, CA at $6,350; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $3,550 (midpoints, 500 sq ft). Statewide, Dayton is 1% below the Ohio figure.
Other Ohio metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | 1,105,580 jobs | $2,150 – $7,350 | $4,750 | +7% |
| Cincinnati, OH | 1,101,030 jobs | $2,000 – $6,850 | $4,400 | level |
| Cleveland, OH | 1,031,130 jobs | $2,000 – $6,900 | $4,450 | +1% |
| Akron, OH | 319,560 jobs | $2,000 – $6,950 | $4,500 | +1% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $2,250 – $7,500 | $4,900 | +10% |
| Canton, OH | 163,080 jobs | $2,000 – $6,850 | $4,400 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Dayton's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dayton against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $2,050 – $7,150 | $4,600 | +4% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $1,800 – $6,400 | $4,100 | −7% |
| Tucson, AZ | 389,630 jobs | $1,700 – $6,100 | $3,900 | −12% |
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $1,600 – $5,800 | $3,700 | −17% |
What nearby projects cost in Dayton
Because every project leans on different trades, Dayton's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, hardwood flooring runs −4% and tile flooring −9%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring | 500 sq ft | $5,300 – $12,000 | −4% |
| Tile flooring | 200 sq ft | $2,100 – $9,200 | −9% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,400 – $29,600 | −6% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,400 – $21,900 | −6% |
Why two Dayton quotes can differ
Brand
Name-brand laminate such as Pergo runs $5-$17 per sq ft installed.
Floating versus glued
Click-lock or floating laminate is the easiest and cheapest to install (HomeGuide).
Trim
Baseboards run $6-$9 per linear foot and are a common add-on.
Dayton labor market for laminate 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 Dayton is 1.02 times the national level.
Floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) (47-2042) carry 60% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Dayton metro, so we used the Ohio statewide median: $28.59 an hour against $27.15 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.80 and $35.02 an hour.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 40%) the local median is $28.04 an hour, which is 4% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.03 and $31.60 an hour. BLS counts 950 of them working in the area, 25.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($35.02 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $390. At the 25th percentile ($23.80) it shrinks by about $290. The total moves by 8.8% or 6.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 372,660 jobs in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek area. That makes it the 70th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.24% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) (47-2042) | 60% | $23.80 | $28.59 | $35.02 | $27.15 | 1.05 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $23.03 | $28.04 | $31.60 | $29.12 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.02 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: laminate flooring pricing in Dayton
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Dayton 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
$2,000 to $3,950
Basic click-lock laminate on a flat subfloor
Standard
$3,450 to $5,400
Thicker waterproof laminate, standard trim
Premium
$4,900 to $6,900
Premium or brand-name laminate, subfloor repair
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| one room (200 sq ft) | $800 – $1,600 | $1,400 – $2,150 | $1,950 – $2,750 |
| main floor (500 sq ft) | $2,000 – $3,950 | $3,450 – $5,400 | $4,900 – $6,900 |
| whole house (1,200 sq ft) | $4,800 – $9,450 | $8,300 – $13,000 | $11,800 – $16,500 |
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 $3,450 to $5,400 for Dayton, OH is attached.
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Laminate flooring in Dayton: your questions
+How much does it cost to install laminate flooring in Dayton?
For 500 sq ft, expect $2,000 to $6,900 in the Dayton area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,450 to $5,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for laminate floor in Dayton?
About $4 to $14 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $4 to $14.
+Is laminate floor cheaper in Dayton or Cincinnati?
Cincinnati is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 500 sq ft there is $4,400, which is 0% less than Dayton ($4,450). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dayton?
About 63% at the midpoint, or $2,800 out of $4,450. Materials are 37% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 61%.
+What would main floor (500 sq ft) cost in Dayton?
$2,000 to $6,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does laminate floor need a permit in Dayton?
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 Dayton area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dayton expensive for laminate floor compared with the rest of Ohio?
Dayton is 1% below the Ohio statewide estimate ($4,500 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Ohio; see the state page to compare them.
+What do floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) earn in Dayton?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $28.59 an hour, compared with $27.15 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.80 to $35.02.
+What do basic and premium laminate floor work cost in Dayton?
For 500 sq ft, basic work runs $2,000 to $3,950 and premium work $4,900 to $6,900. Basic means: basic click-lock laminate on a flat subfloor. Premium means: premium or brand-name laminate, subfloor repair.
Laminate flooring near Dayton
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 Laminate Flooring Installation 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 $3-$8 per sq ft laminate labor, matched low-to-low and high-to-high.