Metal roof cost in Iowa City, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $9,450 – $30,400
- Per sq ft of roof
- $4.65 – $15
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −7%
- US $21,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #155
- 1 = most expensive
Iowa City homeowners pay roughly $9,450 to $30,400 to install a metal roof at 2,000 sq ft of roof, or $4.65 to $15 per sq ft of roof (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Iowa City is 7% lower. Roofers earn a median of $23.39 an hour in the Iowa City area, 12% below the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Iowa City, IA, standard level
$15,700 to $24,100
About $7.75 to $12 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 56% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,800 | $11,100 |
| Labor | $9,700 | $12,700 |
| Permits and fees | $230 | $360 |
| Total | $15,700 | $24,100 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Iowa City, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,850 | $8,450 | $15,000 | 42% |
| Labor | $7,450 | $11,200 | $14,900 | 56% |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $300 | $460 | 1% |
| Total | $9,450 | $19,900 | $30,400 | 100% |
Why Iowa City prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: roofers at 70%, sheet metal workers at 20%, construction laborers at 10%. Weighted together, Iowa City wages are 0.93 times the national level. Labor makes up about 56% of the midpoint estimate (56% at national prices). BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Iowa City metro is 93.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 2,000 sq ft of roof comes to $8,450, compared with $9,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (91.5) and land at $140 to $460.
Data note: 90% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Iowa City. The wage table below marks each row.
Planning more than one job 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, attic insulation runs level and roof replacement −9%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,550 – $11,400 | −9% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,250 – $4,000 | −4% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 – $4,000 | level |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $7,750 – $23,200 | −8% |
When to schedule metal roof in Iowa City
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 |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Iowa City is 0.93 times the national level.
Roofers (47-2181) carry 70% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Iowa City metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median: $23.39 an hour against $26.65 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $22.31 and $29.50 an hour.
Sheet metal workers (47-2211) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Iowa City metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median: $31.95 an hour against $29.71 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.78 and $36.58 an hour.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.05 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.87 and $28.74 an hour. About 800 work in the metro. That is 85.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the roofers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($29.50 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,950. At the 25th percentile ($22.31) it shrinks by about $340. The total moves by 9.7% or 1.7%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 70% | $22.31 | $23.39 | $29.50 | $26.65 | 0.88 | state |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $23.78 | $31.95 | $36.58 | $29.71 | 1.08 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 10% | $21.87 | $23.05 | $28.74 | $22.66 | 1.02 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.93 | |||||
How Iowa City compares
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Iowa City. Waterloo is the lowest at about $19,800 (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof), 80 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IAthis page | $9,450 – $30,400 | $19,900 | |
| Cedar Rapids, IA40 miles | $9,800 – $31,000 | $20,400 | +2% |
| Davenport, IA60 miles | $9,700 – $30,900 | $20,300 | +2% |
| Dubuque, IA75 miles | $9,450 – $30,400 | $19,900 | level |
| Waterloo, IA80 miles | $9,400 – $30,200 | $19,800 | level |
| Des Moines, IA110 miles | $9,550 – $30,600 | $20,100 | +1% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $9,450 – $30,400 | $19,900 | level |
| United States | $10,200 – $32,500 | $21,300 | +7% |
Across 300 US metros, Iowa City comes in at #155 from the top. The priciest is Worcester, MA at $29,600; the cheapest is Lubbock, TX at $17,000 (midpoints, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Statewide, Iowa City is 0% below the Iowa figure.
Other Iowa metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $9,550 – $30,600 | $20,100 | +1% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $9,700 – $30,900 | $20,300 | +2% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $9,800 – $31,000 | $20,400 | +2% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $9,400 – $30,200 | $19,800 | level |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $9,350 – $30,100 | $19,700 | −1% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $9,450 – $30,400 | $19,900 | level |
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 | $9,750 – $31,200 | $20,500 | +3% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $10,500 – $32,300 | $21,400 | +7% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $12,600 – $37,000 | $24,800 | +25% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $11,500 – $35,800 | $23,600 | +19% |
Metal roof: what moves the price in Iowa City
Panel type
Corrugated sheet metal is $5-$12 per sq ft installed; standing seam is $9-$16 (HomeGuide).
Metal and gauge
Galvalume and galvanized steel are budget-friendly; copper and zinc are the top of the range.
Labor
Metal roof labor is $4-$8 per sq ft, or $400-$800 per roofing square, and standing seam needs specialist crews.
Cost by quality level and size in Iowa City
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 3 common sizes.
Basic
$9,450 to $17,800
Corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels
Standard
$15,700 to $24,100
Standing seam steel
Premium
$22,000 to $30,400
Aluminum or premium finish, complex roof
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $5,750 – $10,800 | $9,550 – $14,600 | $13,300 – $18,400 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $9,450 – $17,800 | $15,700 – $24,100 | $22,000 – $30,400 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $13,200 – $24,800 | $21,900 – $33,600 | $30,700 – $42,300 |
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 $15,700 to $24,100 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.
Metal roof in Iowa City: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a metal roof in Iowa City?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $9,450 to $30,400 in the Iowa City area. A standard-spec job lands at $15,700 to $24,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft of roof and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft of roof for metal roof in Iowa City?
About $4.65 to $15 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $140 to $460 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $16.
+Is metal roof cheaper in Iowa City or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $20,400, which is 2% more than Iowa City ($19,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Iowa City?
About 56% at the midpoint, or $11,200 out of $19,900. Materials are 42% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 56%.
+What would average (2,000 sq ft of roof) cost in Iowa City?
$9,450 to $30,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does metal roof need a permit in Iowa City?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $140 to $460 for fees in the Iowa City area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Iowa City expensive for metal roof compared with the rest of Iowa?
Iowa City is 0% below the Iowa statewide estimate ($19,900 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Iowa City?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $23.39 an hour, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.31 to $29.50.
+What do basic and premium metal roof work cost in Iowa City?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $9,450 to $17,800 and premium work $22,000 to $30,400. Basic means: corrugated or exposed-fastener steel panels. Premium means: aluminum or premium finish, complex roof.
+When is the best time to install a metal roof 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.
Metal roof 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 a Metal Roof Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (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 = installed range minus HomeGuide's $4-$8/sq ft labor range for metal roofs.