Roof replacement cost in Honolulu, HI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $7,000 – $14,200
- Per sq ft of roof
- $3.45 – $6.85
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +14%
- US $9,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #21
- 1 = most expensive
Honolulu homeowners pay roughly $7,000 to $14,200 to replace a roof at 2,000 sq ft of roof, or $3.45 to $6.85 per sq ft of roof (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Honolulu is 14% higher. Roofers earn a median of $28.47 an hour in the Honolulu area, 7% above the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Honolulu, HI, standard level
$9,150 to $12,100
About $4.45 to $5.80 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 62% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,900 | $4,450 |
| Labor | $6,000 | $7,200 |
| Permits and fees | $240 | $420 |
| Total | $9,150 | $12,100 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Honolulu, HI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,800 | $3,700 | $5,600 | 35% |
| Labor | $5,100 | $6,600 | $8,100 | 62% |
| Permits and fees | $110 | $330 | $550 | 3% |
| Total | $7,000 | $10,600 | $14,200 | 100% |
Where the Honolulu price comes from
Labor is 62% 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 Honolulu the blended ratio comes out at 1.16.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Honolulu metro is 111.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 2,000 sq ft of roof comes to $3,700, compared with $3,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (111.0) and land at $110 to $550.
Pick a size, pick a tier: roof replacement pricing in Honolulu
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Honolulu 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
$7,000 to $9,900
3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof
Standard
$9,150 to $12,100
Architectural shingles, standard pitch and tear-off
Premium
$11,300 to $14,200
Heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $4,250 – $6,050 | $5,600 – $7,400 | $6,950 – $8,750 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $7,000 – $9,900 | $9,150 – $12,100 | $11,300 – $14,200 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $9,750 – $13,700 | $12,700 – $16,700 | $15,700 – $19,700 |
| very large (3,600 sq ft of roof) | $12,500 – $17,600 | $16,300 – $21,400 | $20,100 – $25,200 |
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Honolulu is 1.16 times the national level.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 85%) the local median is $28.47 an hour, which is 7% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $22.71 and $35.39 an hour. BLS counts 860 of them working in the area, 19.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 15% of the weighting: a median of $37.48 an hour, 65% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $24.21 and $41.41 an hour. About 3,040 work in the metro. That is 68.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the roofers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($35.39 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,250. At the 25th percentile ($22.71) it shrinks by about $1,050. The total moves by 11.9% or 9.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 446,380 jobs in the Urban Honolulu area. That makes it the 56th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.29% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 85% | $22.71 | $28.47 | $35.39 | $26.65 | 1.07 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 15% | $24.21 | $37.48 | $41.41 | $22.66 | 1.65 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.16 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Honolulu
Because every project leans on different trades, Honolulu's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, vinyl siding runs +35% and attic insulation +12%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $12,100 – $37,900 | +17% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,600 – $5,100 | +23% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $11,300 – $34,000 | +35% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,100 – $4,500 | +12% |
Why two Honolulu quotes can differ
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.
Tear-off and layers
Removing a second layer or rotted decking adds cost, and the contractor can only see decking damage after tear-off.
When to schedule roof in Honolulu
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Honolulu Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
Weather is not a serious constraint for exterior installation in Honolulu: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average daytime high under 45°F) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
Honolulu gets about 16 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are March, November and December (2.4 inches in March). The station averages about 32 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 | 81 | 67 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 81 | 67 | 1.9 | Workable |
| Mar | 81 | 68 | 2.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 83 | 70 | 0.8 | Workable |
| May | 85 | 72 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 87 | 74 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Jul | 88 | 75 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 89 | 76 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Sep | 88 | 75 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 87 | 74 | 1.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 84 | 72 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 82 | 69 | 2.2 | Workable |
Honolulu against nearby metros and the rest of Hawaii
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Honolulu. Santa Cruz is the lowest at about $10,300 (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof), 2415 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu, HIthis page | $7,000 – $14,200 | $10,600 | |
| Kahului, HI110 miles | $7,150 – $14,500 | $10,800 | +2% |
| Santa Rosa, CA2395 miles | $6,950 – $14,000 | $10,500 | −1% |
| Santa Cruz, CA2415 miles | $6,750 – $13,700 | $10,300 | −3% |
| San Francisco, CA2415 miles | $7,900 – $15,600 | $11,700 | +11% |
| Napa, CA2425 miles | $6,900 – $14,000 | $10,500 | −1% |
| Hawaii (statewide) | $7,000 – $14,200 | $10,600 | level |
| United States | $6,100 – $12,500 | $9,300 | −12% |
Across 300 US metros, Honolulu comes in at #21 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, Honolulu is 0% below the Hawaii figure.
Other Hawaii metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului, HI | 73,750 jobs | $7,150 – $14,500 | $10,800 | +2% |
Cities with a workforce like Honolulu's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Honolulu against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, NY | 449,410 jobs | $6,750 – $13,500 | $10,100 | −4% |
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $5,450 – $11,300 | $8,350 | −21% |
| Tulsa, OK | 458,730 jobs | $5,500 – $11,400 | $8,450 | −20% |
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $5,400 – $11,300 | $8,350 | −21% |
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 $9,150 to $12,100 for Honolulu, HI is attached.
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Multi-page report for Honolulu, HI: 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 Honolulu: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace a roof in Honolulu?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $7,000 to $14,200 in the Honolulu area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,150 to $12,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft of roof and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft of roof for roof in Honolulu?
About $3.45 to $6.85 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $110 to $550 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $3 to $6.
+Is roof cheaper in Honolulu or Kahului?
Kahului is 110 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $10,800, which is 2% more than Honolulu ($10,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Honolulu?
About 62% at the midpoint, or $6,600 out of $10,600. Materials are 35% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 61%.
+What would large (2,800 sq ft of roof) cost in Honolulu?
$9,750 to $19,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does roof need a permit in Honolulu?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $110 to $550 for fees in the Honolulu area (our national range of $100 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Honolulu expensive for roof compared with the rest of Hawaii?
Honolulu is 0% below the Hawaii statewide estimate ($10,600 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Hawaii; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Honolulu?
The BLS median is $28.47 an hour in the Honolulu area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.71 to $35.39.
+What do basic and premium roof work cost in Honolulu?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $7,000 to $9,900 and premium work $11,300 to $14,200. Basic means: 3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof. Premium means: heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs.
+Is there a bad season to replace a roof in Honolulu?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
Roof replacement near Honolulu
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.