Roof replacement cost in Chico, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $6,650 – $13,500
- Per sq ft of roof
- $3.30 – $6.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +9%
- US $9,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #49
- 1 = most expensive
A new roof in Chico, CA usually costs $6,650 to $13,500 for 2,000 sq ft of roof. That works out to about $3.30 to $6.50 per sq ft of roof before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $810 more. Roofers earn a median of $29.38 an hour in the Chico area, 10% above the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Chico, CA, standard level
$8,750 to $11,500
About $4.25 to $5.55 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 63% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,750 | $4,200 |
| Labor | $5,750 | $6,900 |
| Permits and fees | $220 | $380 |
| Total | $8,750 | $11,500 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Chico, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,700 | $3,450 | $5,250 | 34% |
| Labor | $4,900 | $6,350 | $7,800 | 63% |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $300 | $510 | 3% |
| Total | $6,650 | $10,100 | $13,500 | 100% |
Why Chico prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: roofers at 85%, construction laborers at 15%. Weighted together, Chico wages are 1.11 times the national level. Labor makes up about 63% of the midpoint estimate (61% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Chico is at 105.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,300 nationally becomes $3,450 here (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Permits follow the all-items index of 101.2: $100 to $510.
Why two Chico quotes can differ
Permit
Roof replacement permits run $100-$500 depending on the location.
Shingle type
3-tab asphalt is $3-$5 per sq ft installed; architectural is $4-$6 (HomeGuide). Metal, tile and slate are separate projects with much higher ranges.
Roof area, not floor area
Pitch and complexity mean roof surface is larger than the house's footprint. A 1,500 sq ft ranch can have 1,800-2,200 sq ft of roof.
What local crews earn in Chico
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Chico the blend is 1.11.
Roofers (47-2181), 85% of the weighting: a median of $29.38 an hour, 10% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $27.80 and $31.30 an hour. About 100 work in the metro. That is 12.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 15%) the local median is $26.31 an hour, which is 16% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.14 and $34.60 an hour. BLS counts 480 of them working in the area, 61.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (roofers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $350 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $290. That is a swing of roughly 2.8% to 3.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Chico has 78,220 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 241st by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 85% | $27.80 | $29.38 | $31.30 | $26.65 | 1.10 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 15% | $22.14 | $26.31 | $34.60 | $22.66 | 1.16 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.11 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Chico
Jobs that often go together with roof are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Chico wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, vinyl siding comes out highest (+12%) and attic insulation lowest (+4%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $11,300 – $35,500 | +10% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,400 – $4,600 | +10% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $9,400 – $28,200 | +12% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,200 | +4% |
Chico weather and the roof replacement calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Chico Univ Farm (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Chico are October through June: 9 of 12. Outside them, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Chico gets about 27 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (5.1 inches in February). Inside the workable window, May and June are the driest, at 1.4 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 99 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56 | 36 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 62 | 38 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Mar | 67 | 42 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 45 | 1.9 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 52 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 57 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 95 | 61 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 59 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Sep | 91 | 55 | 0.3 | Hot |
| Oct | 80 | 47 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 65 | 40 | 2.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 57 | 36 | 5.0 | Workable |
Pick a size, pick a tier: roof replacement pricing in Chico
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Chico. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small (1,200 sq ft of roof) to very large (3,600 sq ft of roof).
Basic
$6,650 to $9,400
3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof
Standard
$8,750 to $11,500
Architectural shingles, standard pitch and tear-off
Premium
$10,800 to $13,500
Heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $4,050 – $5,750 | $5,350 – $7,050 | $6,600 – $8,350 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $6,650 – $9,400 | $8,750 – $11,500 | $10,800 – $13,500 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $9,300 – $13,100 | $12,100 – $15,900 | $15,000 – $18,800 |
| very large (3,600 sq ft of roof) | $11,900 – $16,700 | $15,500 – $20,400 | $19,200 – $24,000 |
Chico against nearby metros and the rest of California
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Chico. Redding comes closest at about $10,200.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chico, CAthis page | $6,650 – $13,500 | $10,100 | |
| Sacramento, CA70 miles | $6,900 – $13,900 | $10,400 | +3% |
| Redding, CA80 miles | $6,750 – $13,600 | $10,200 | +1% |
| Napa, CA90 miles | $6,900 – $14,000 | $10,500 | +3% |
| Vallejo, CA100 miles | $6,850 – $13,900 | $10,400 | +2% |
| Santa Rosa, CA105 miles | $6,950 – $14,000 | $10,500 | +4% |
| California (statewide) | $6,950 – $14,000 | $10,500 | +4% |
| United States | $6,100 – $12,500 | $9,300 | −8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Chico ranks #49 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Chico is 4% below the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $6,950 – $14,000 | $10,500 | +4% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $7,900 – $15,600 | $11,700 | +16% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $6,750 – $13,600 | $10,200 | +1% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $6,850 – $13,900 | $10,400 | +3% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $7,900 – $15,600 | $11,700 | +16% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $6,900 – $13,900 | $10,400 | +3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Chico against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced, CA | 79,510 jobs | $6,650 – $13,500 | $10,100 | level |
| Napa, CA | 77,860 jobs | $6,900 – $14,000 | $10,500 | +3% |
| Saginaw, MI | 80,000 jobs | $6,150 – $12,400 | $9,250 | −8% |
| Racine, WI | 76,280 jobs | $6,450 – $12,900 | $9,650 | −4% |
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Detailed roof replacement report for Chico, CA, $9
Multi-page report for Chico, CA: 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.
Roof replacement in Chico: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace a roof in Chico?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $6,650 to $13,500 in the Chico area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,750 to $11,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft of roof and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft of roof for roof in Chico?
About $3.30 to $6.50 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $100 to $510 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $3 to $6.
+Is roof cheaper in Chico or Sacramento?
Sacramento is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $10,400, which is 3% more than Chico ($10,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chico?
About 63% at the midpoint, or $6,350 out of $10,100. Materials are 34% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 61%.
+What would large (2,800 sq ft of roof) cost in Chico?
$9,300 to $18,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does roof need a permit in Chico?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $100 to $510 for fees in the Chico area (our national range of $100 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Chico expensive for roof compared with the rest of California?
Chico is 4% below the California statewide estimate ($10,500 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Chico?
The BLS median is $29.38 an hour in the Chico area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.80 to $31.30.
+What do basic and premium roof work cost in Chico?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $6,650 to $9,400 and premium work $10,800 to $13,500. Basic means: 3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof. Premium means: heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs.
+When is the best time to replace a roof in Chico?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through June. May and June are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Roof replacement near Chico
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 Roof Replacement 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 = HomeGuide's asphalt shingle price of $80-$250 per roofing square (100 sq ft), i.e. $0.80-$2.50 per sq ft. The rest of the installed price covers roofer labor ($1.50-$3.00/sq ft), tear-off, disposal, underlayment and contractor overhead.