Roof replacement cost in Cedar Rapids, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $5,500 – $11,400
- Per sq ft of roof
- $2.70 – $5.45
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $9,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #190
- 1 = most expensive
Cedar Rapids homeowners pay roughly $5,500 to $11,400 to replace a roof at 2,000 sq ft of roof, or $2.70 to $5.45 per sq ft of roof (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Cedar Rapids is 9% lower. Roofers earn a median of $23.00 an hour in the Cedar Rapids area, 14% below the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Cedar Rapids, IA, standard level
$7,250 to $9,600
About $3.55 to $4.65 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,450 | $3,750 |
| Labor | $4,600 | $5,550 |
| Permits and fees | $200 | $340 |
| Total | $7,250 | $9,600 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,500 | $3,100 | $4,700 | 37% |
| Labor | $3,900 | $5,050 | $6,200 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $270 | $440 | 3% |
| Total | $5,500 | $8,400 | $11,400 | 100% |
What is behind the Cedar Rapids number
The wage side of the estimate leans on roofers, who do 85% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $23.00 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Cedar Rapids is 0.89 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 60% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Cedar Rapids metro is 93.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 2,000 sq ft of roof comes to $3,100, compared with $3,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (89.0) and land at $90 to $440.
Cedar Rapids: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Cedar Rapids 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
$5,500 to $7,850
3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof
Standard
$7,250 to $9,600
Architectural shingles, standard pitch and tear-off
Premium
$9,000 to $11,400
Heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $3,350 – $4,800 | $4,450 – $5,900 | $5,550 – $7,000 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $5,500 – $7,850 | $7,250 – $9,600 | $9,000 – $11,400 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $7,650 – $10,900 | $10,100 – $13,300 | $12,500 – $15,700 |
| very large (3,600 sq ft of roof) | $9,850 – $13,900 | $12,900 – $17,000 | $16,000 – $20,100 |
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 Cedar Rapids is 0.89 times the national level.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 85%) the local median is $23.00 an hour, which is 14% below the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $22.42 and $29.18 an hour. BLS counts 120 of them working in the area, 8.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 15% of the weighting: a median of $23.40 an hour, 3% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.73 and $28.57 an hour. About 990 work in the metro. That is 71.1 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 ($29.18 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,100. At the 25th percentile ($22.42) it shrinks by about $110. The total moves by 13.3% or 1.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 139,260 jobs in the Cedar Rapids area. That makes it the 160th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.09% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 85% | $22.42 | $23.00 | $29.18 | $26.65 | 0.86 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 15% | $21.73 | $23.40 | $28.57 | $22.66 | 1.03 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.89 | |||||
Roof replacement: what moves the price in Cedar Rapids
Tear-off
Removing the old roof is $1-$5 per sq ft depending on the material and number of layers (HomeGuide). Check that your quote includes it.
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.
What nearby projects cost in Cedar Rapids
Because every project leans on different trades, Cedar Rapids's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, attic insulation runs level and metal roof −4%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $9,800 – $31,000 | −4% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,300 – $4,150 | level |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,250 – $24,700 | −2% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,000 | level |
When to schedule roof in Cedar Rapids
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Cedar Rapids 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 Cedar Rapids (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.
Cedar Rapids gets about 36 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and July (5.6 inches in June). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 2.0 and 2.0 inches. The station averages about 12 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 | 28 | 11 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 33 | 16 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 27 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 60 | 38 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 71 | 50 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 60 | 5.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 63 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 60 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 52 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 40 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 46 | 28 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 33 | 17 | 1.6 | Cold |
Cedar Rapids against nearby metros and the rest of Iowa
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Cedar Rapids. Iowa City comes closest at about $8,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IAthis page | $5,500 – $11,400 | $8,400 | |
| Iowa City, IA40 miles | $5,550 – $11,400 | $8,500 | +1% |
| Dubuque, IA45 miles | $5,550 – $11,400 | $8,500 | +1% |
| Waterloo, IA55 miles | $5,550 – $11,500 | $8,500 | +1% |
| Davenport, IA75 miles | $5,600 – $11,500 | $8,600 | +2% |
| La Crosse, WI115 miles | $6,400 – $12,800 | $9,650 | +14% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $5,550 – $11,400 | $8,500 | +1% |
| United States | $6,100 – $12,500 | $9,300 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Cedar Rapids comes in at #190 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, Cedar Rapids is 1% below the Iowa figure.
Other Iowa metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $5,650 – $11,600 | $8,600 | +2% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $5,600 – $11,500 | $8,600 | +2% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $5,550 – $11,400 | $8,500 | +1% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $5,550 – $11,500 | $8,500 | +1% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $5,450 – $11,300 | $8,350 | −1% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $5,550 – $11,400 | $8,500 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Cedar Rapids's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Cedar Rapids against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington, WV | 140,740 jobs | $5,550 – $11,500 | $8,550 | +1% |
| Rockford, IL | 137,650 jobs | $6,800 – $13,400 | $10,100 | +20% |
| Vallejo, CA | 144,130 jobs | $6,850 – $13,900 | $10,400 | +23% |
| Evansville, IN | 135,250 jobs | $6,400 – $12,800 | $9,600 | +14% |
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Detailed roof replacement report for Cedar Rapids, IA, $9
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Roof replacement in Cedar Rapids: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace a roof in Cedar Rapids?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $5,500 to $11,400 in the Cedar Rapids area. A standard-spec job lands at $7,250 to $9,600. 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 Cedar Rapids?
About $2.70 to $5.45 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $90 to $440 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $3 to $6.
+Is roof cheaper in Cedar Rapids or Iowa City?
Iowa City is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $8,500, which is 1% more than Cedar Rapids ($8,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Cedar Rapids?
About 60% at the midpoint, or $5,050 out of $8,400. Materials are 37% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 61%.
+What would large (2,800 sq ft of roof) cost in Cedar Rapids?
$7,650 to $15,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does roof need a permit in Cedar Rapids?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $90 to $440 for fees in the Cedar Rapids area (our national range of $100 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Cedar Rapids expensive for roof compared with the rest of Iowa?
Cedar Rapids is 1% below the Iowa statewide estimate ($8,500 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Cedar Rapids?
The BLS median is $23.00 an hour in the Cedar Rapids area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.42 to $29.18.
+What do basic and premium roof work cost in Cedar Rapids?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $5,500 to $7,850 and premium work $9,000 to $11,400. 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 Cedar Rapids?
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.
Roof replacement near Cedar Rapids
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.