Retaining wall cost in Iowa City, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (200 sq ft of wall face)
- $7,150 – $13,300
- Per sq ft of wall face
- $35.50 – $64.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $10,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #137
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a retaining wall in Iowa City, plan on $7,150 to $13,300 for 200 sq ft of wall face, all in. Per sq ft of wall face, that is $35.50 to $64.50 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 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 200 sq ft of wall face in Iowa City, IA, standard level
$9,000 to $11,400
About $44 to $55.50 per sq ft of wall face before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,050 | $5,900 |
| Labor | $4,800 | $5,200 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $300 |
| Total | $9,000 | $11,400 |
Cost breakdown for 200 sq ft of wall face in Iowa City, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,600 | $4,950 | $7,300 | 49% |
| Labor | $4,500 | $5,000 | $5,550 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $230 | $410 | 2% |
| Total | $7,150 | $10,200 | $13,300 | 100% |
What is behind the Iowa City number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: brickmasons and blockmasons at 50%, construction laborers at 30%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 20%. Weighted together, Iowa City wages are 1.07 times the national level. Labor makes up about 49% of the midpoint estimate (46% 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 200 sq ft of wall face comes to $4,950, compared with $5,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (91.5) and land at $45 to $410.
Data note: 50% 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.
Related projects, priced for Iowa City
Because every project leans on different trades, Iowa City's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs level and sprinkler system −3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $590 – $2,050 | −1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,000 – $5,450 | level |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,550 – $9,000 | −2% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,200 | −3% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,850 – $9,650 | −3% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $35,600 – $111,000 | −1% |
Iowa City labor market for retaining wall
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 1.07 times the national level.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 50% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Iowa City metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median: $33.38 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $25.77 and $36.59 an hour.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% 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.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 20%) the local median is $29.10 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $27.22 and $34.14 an hour. BLS counts 210 of them working in the area, 22.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the brickmasons and blockmasons on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($36.59 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $250. At the 25th percentile ($25.77) it shrinks by about $600. The total moves by 2.5% or 5.9%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 50% | $25.77 | $33.38 | $36.59 | $29.87 | 1.12 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $21.87 | $23.05 | $28.74 | $22.66 | 1.02 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 20% | $27.22 | $29.10 | $34.14 | $28.78 | 1.01 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.07 | |||||
Is Iowa City cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (200 sq ft of wall face), priced for the nearest metros. Waterloo is the priciest of the group at $10,800.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IAthis page | $7,150 – $13,300 | $10,200 | |
| Cedar Rapids, IA40 miles | $7,200 – $13,300 | $10,300 | +1% |
| Davenport, IA60 miles | $7,400 – $13,600 | $10,500 | +3% |
| Dubuque, IA75 miles | $7,200 – $13,300 | $10,200 | level |
| Waterloo, IA80 miles | $7,700 – $14,000 | $10,800 | +6% |
| Des Moines, IA110 miles | $7,450 – $13,600 | $10,500 | +3% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $7,150 – $13,300 | $10,200 | level |
| United States | $7,050 – $13,500 | $10,300 | level |
Across 300 US metros, Iowa City comes in at #137 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $13,500; the cheapest is El Paso, TX at $8,850 (midpoints, 200 sq ft of wall face). Statewide, Iowa City is 0% below the Iowa figure.
Other Iowa metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $7,450 – $13,600 | $10,500 | +3% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $7,400 – $13,600 | $10,500 | +3% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $7,200 – $13,300 | $10,300 | +1% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $7,700 – $14,000 | $10,800 | +6% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $7,150 – $13,300 | $10,200 | level |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $7,200 – $13,300 | $10,200 | 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 | $6,800 – $13,000 | $9,900 | −3% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $7,850 – $14,100 | $11,000 | +8% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $8,600 – $15,200 | $11,900 | +17% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $8,350 – $15,300 | $11,800 | +16% |
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 4 common sizes.
Basic
$7,150 to $9,600
Short block wall, easy access
Standard
$9,000 to $11,400
Standard segmental block wall with drainage
Premium
$10,800 to $13,300
Tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short garden wall (4x25 ft), 100 sq ft of wall face | $3,600 – $4,900 | $4,550 – $5,850 | $5,550 – $6,850 |
| 20 ft x 4 ft (80 sq ft of wall face) | $2,900 – $3,950 | $3,700 – $4,750 | $4,500 – $5,550 |
| 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) | $5,750 – $7,700 | $7,200 – $9,200 | $8,700 – $10,700 |
| 40 ft x 6 ft (240 sq ft of wall face) | $8,550 – $11,500 | $10,700 – $13,700 | $12,900 – $15,800 |
Climate in Iowa City: timing your retaining wall job
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.
April through October is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Iowa City (7 of 12 months). January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, November and December the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 135 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
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, September and October are the driest, at 3.2 and 3.0 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 | Cold |
| 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 | Cold |
| Dec | 36 | 20 | 1.4 | Cold |
Why two Iowa City quotes can differ
Height
Walls over 4 feet need engineering, deeper excavation and more skilled labor; many cities require permits over 3-4 feet (HomeGuide).
Material
Block, poured concrete and natural stone are priced differently; concrete and stone walls run higher than the segmental block default.
Drainage
Every wall needs drainage behind it. A French drain adds $10-$85+ per linear foot.
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 $9,000 to $11,400 for Iowa City, IA is attached.
Detailed retaining wall report for Iowa City, IA, $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.
Retaining wall in Iowa City: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a retaining wall in Iowa City?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, expect $7,150 to $13,300 in the Iowa City area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,000 to $11,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft of wall face and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft of wall face for retaining wall in Iowa City?
About $35.50 to $64.50 per sq ft of wall face for materials and labor, plus $45 to $410 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $35 to $65.
+Is retaining wall cheaper in Iowa City or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 200 sq ft of wall face there is $10,300, which is 1% more than Iowa City ($10,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Iowa City?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $5,000 out of $10,200. Materials are 49% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 46%.
+What would 40 ft x 4 ft (160 sq ft of wall face) cost in Iowa City?
$5,750 to $10,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does retaining wall need a permit in Iowa City?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $410 for fees in the Iowa City area (our national range of $50 to $450 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Iowa City expensive for retaining wall compared with the rest of Iowa?
Iowa City is 0% below the Iowa statewide estimate ($10,200 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do brickmasons and blockmasons earn in Iowa City?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $33.38 an hour, compared with $29.87 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $25.77 to $36.59.
+What do basic and premium retaining wall work cost in Iowa City?
For 200 sq ft of wall face, basic work runs $7,150 to $9,600 and premium work $10,800 to $13,300. Basic means: short block wall, easy access. Premium means: tall or stone wall, engineered, hard access.
+When is the best time to build a retaining wall in Iowa City?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. September and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Retaining wall 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 Retaining Wall Cost? (2026) (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 = 40% of the low installed price and 60% of the high one, since HomeGuide says labor is 40-60% of the total project cost.