Roof replacement cost in Athens, GA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $5,300 – $11,100
- Per sq ft of roof
- $2.60 – $5.35
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $9,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #241
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to replace a roof in Athens, plan on $5,300 to $11,100 for 2,000 sq ft of roof, all in. Per sq ft of roof, that is $2.60 to $5.35 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 11% lower than the national one. Roofers earn a median of $22.57 an hour in the Athens area, 15% below the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Athens, GA, standard level
$7,050 to $9,400
About $3.45 to $4.50 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 58% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,850 |
| Labor | $4,350 | $5,200 |
| Permits and fees | $210 | $350 |
| Total | $7,050 | $9,400 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Athens, GA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,550 | $3,200 | $4,800 | 39% |
| Labor | $3,700 | $4,800 | $5,850 | 58% |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $280 | $470 | 3% |
| Total | $5,300 | $8,250 | $11,100 | 100% |
Why Athens prices look the way they do
Labor is 58% of the midpoint bill here, against 61% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is roofers (85%), construction laborers (15%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Athens the blended ratio comes out at 0.84. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Georgia statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Athens metro is 96.3 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 2,000 sq ft of roof comes to $3,200, compared with $3,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (93.3) and land at $95 to $470.
Data note: 85% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Athens. The wage table below marks each row.
Athens labor market for roof
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 Athens is 0.84 times the national level.
Roofers (47-2181) carry 85% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Athens metro, so we used the Georgia statewide median: $22.57 an hour against $26.65 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.69 and $26.36 an hour.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 15% of the weighting: a median of $17.85 an hour, 21% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.56 and $23.50 an hour. About 420 work in the metro. That is 43.8 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 roofers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($26.36 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $690. At the 25th percentile ($18.69) it shrinks by about $710. The total moves by 8.4% or 8.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 95,800 jobs in the Athens-Clarke County area. That makes it the 209th 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) | 85% | $18.69 | $22.57 | $26.36 | $26.65 | 0.85 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 15% | $16.56 | $17.85 | $23.50 | $22.66 | 0.79 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.84 | |||||
Why two Athens 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.
Planning more than one job in Athens?
Because every project leans on different trades, Athens's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, attic insulation runs −5% and vinyl siding −14%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $8,700 – $29,100 | −11% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,150 – $3,800 | −10% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $7,200 – $21,700 | −14% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $950 – $3,800 | −5% |
Climate in Athens: timing your roof job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Athens Ben Epps Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through June is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Athens (10 of 12 months). July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Athens gets about 49 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, August and December (4.9 inches in June). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 62 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 | 55 | 34 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 59 | 37 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Mar | 67 | 43 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 75 | 50 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 82 | 59 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 67 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 92 | 70 | 4.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 69 | 4.5 | Hot |
| Sep | 85 | 63 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 75 | 52 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 65 | 42 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 57 | 36 | 4.4 | Workable |
Pick a size, pick a tier: roof replacement pricing in Athens
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Athens 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
$5,300 to $7,650
3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof
Standard
$7,050 to $9,400
Architectural shingles, standard pitch and tear-off
Premium
$8,800 to $11,100
Heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $3,250 – $4,700 | $4,300 – $5,800 | $5,400 – $6,850 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $5,300 – $7,650 | $7,050 – $9,400 | $8,800 – $11,100 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $7,400 – $10,600 | $9,800 – $13,000 | $12,200 – $15,400 |
| very large (3,600 sq ft of roof) | $9,500 – $13,600 | $12,600 – $16,600 | $15,600 – $19,700 |
Is Athens cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Athens. Augusta is the lowest at about $7,800 (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof), 80 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, GAthis page | $5,300 – $11,100 | $8,250 | |
| Gainesville, GA45 miles | $5,350 – $11,200 | $8,250 | level |
| Greenville, SC70 miles | $5,400 – $11,300 | $8,350 | +1% |
| Atlanta, GA70 miles | $5,600 – $11,700 | $8,650 | +5% |
| Augusta, GA80 miles | $4,950 – $10,600 | $7,800 | −6% |
| Macon, GA80 miles | $5,300 – $11,100 | $8,200 | −1% |
| Georgia (statewide) | $5,400 – $11,300 | $8,350 | +2% |
| United States | $6,100 – $12,500 | $9,300 | +13% |
Across 300 US metros, Athens comes in at #241 from the top. The priciest is Worcester, MA at $13,800; the cheapest is El Paso, TX at $7,200 (midpoints, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Statewide, Athens is 2% below the Georgia figure.
Other Georgia metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $5,600 – $11,700 | $8,650 | +5% |
| Augusta, GA | 231,930 jobs | $4,950 – $10,600 | $7,800 | −6% |
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $5,450 – $11,400 | $8,400 | +2% |
| Columbus, GA | 116,380 jobs | $5,050 – $10,700 | $7,900 | −4% |
| Gainesville, GA | 103,870 jobs | $5,350 – $11,200 | $8,250 | level |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $5,300 – $11,100 | $8,200 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Athens's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Athens against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $6,300 – $12,900 | $9,600 | +16% |
| Fort Smith, AR | 95,560 jobs | $5,100 – $10,700 | $7,900 | −4% |
| Binghamton, NY | 97,030 jobs | $6,450 – $13,000 | $9,700 | +18% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $5,300 – $11,100 | $8,200 | −1% |
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 $7,050 to $9,400 for Athens, GA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Athens, GA: 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 Athens: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace a roof in Athens?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $5,300 to $11,100 in the Athens area. A standard-spec job lands at $7,050 to $9,400. 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 Athens?
About $2.60 to $5.35 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $95 to $470 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $3 to $6.
+Is roof cheaper in Athens or Gainesville?
Gainesville is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $8,250, which is 0% more than Athens ($8,250). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Athens?
About 58% at the midpoint, or $4,800 out of $8,250. Materials are 39% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 61%.
+What would large (2,800 sq ft of roof) cost in Athens?
$7,400 to $15,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does roof need a permit in Athens?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $95 to $470 for fees in the Athens area (our national range of $100 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Athens expensive for roof compared with the rest of Georgia?
Athens is 2% below the Georgia statewide estimate ($8,350 at the midpoint). We cover 10 metros in Georgia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Athens?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $22.57 an hour, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.69 to $26.36.
+What do basic and premium roof work cost in Athens?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $5,300 to $7,650 and premium work $8,800 to $11,100. 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 Athens?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. May 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.
Roof replacement near Athens
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.