Roof replacement cost in Duluth, MN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $7,400 – $14,400
- Per sq ft of roof
- $3.65 – $7
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +17%
- US $9,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #18
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to replace a roof in Duluth, plan on $7,400 to $14,400 for 2,000 sq ft of roof, all in. Per sq ft of roof, that is $3.65 to $7 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 17% higher than the national one. Roofers earn a median of $35.03 an hour in the Duluth area, 31% above the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Duluth, MN, standard level
$9,500 to $12,300
About $4.65 to $6 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 69% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,800 |
| Labor | $6,800 | $8,150 |
| Permits and fees | $200 | $340 |
| Total | $9,500 | $12,300 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Duluth, MN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,500 | $3,150 | $4,750 | 29% |
| Labor | $5,750 | $7,500 | $9,200 | 69% |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $270 | $440 | 2% |
| Total | $7,400 | $10,900 | $14,400 | 100% |
Where the Duluth price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: roofers at 85%, construction laborers at 15%. Weighted together, Duluth wages are 1.31 times the national level. Labor makes up about 69% of the midpoint estimate (61% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Duluth metro is 95.3 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 2,000 sq ft of roof comes to $3,150, compared with $3,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (88.8) and land at $90 to $440.
Duluth 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 Duluth is 1.31 times the national level.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 85%) the local median is $35.03 an hour, which is 31% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $28.52 and $43.29 an hour. BLS counts 240 of them working in the area, 19.2 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 $29.49 an hour, 30% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.29 and $37.00 an hour. About 1,390 work in the metro. That is 111.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the roofers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($43.29 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,500. At the 25th percentile ($28.52) it shrinks by about $1,200. The total moves by 13.8% or 10.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 124,710 jobs in the Duluth area. That makes it the 173rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.08% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 85% | $28.52 | $35.03 | $43.29 | $26.65 | 1.31 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 15% | $23.29 | $29.49 | $37.00 | $22.66 | 1.30 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.31 | |||||
How Duluth compares
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 2,000 sq ft of roof range from $8,900 to $11,400 across Duluth and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MNthis page | $7,400 – $14,400 | $10,900 | |
| St. Cloud, MN155 miles | $7,750 – $15,000 | $11,400 | +5% |
| Minneapolis, MN160 miles | $7,700 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +5% |
| Eau Claire, WI175 miles | $5,900 – $12,000 | $8,900 | −18% |
| Wausau, WI210 miles | $6,350 – $12,700 | $9,500 | −13% |
| Fargo, ND215 miles | $6,450 – $12,900 | $9,700 | −11% |
| Minnesota (statewide) | $7,600 – $14,900 | $11,200 | +3% |
| United States | $6,100 – $12,500 | $9,300 | −15% |
Across 300 US metros, Duluth comes in at #18 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, Duluth is 3% below the Minnesota figure.
Other Minnesota metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $7,700 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +5% |
| Rochester, MN | 122,980 jobs | $6,650 – $13,200 | $9,900 | −9% |
| St. Cloud, MN | 103,920 jobs | $7,750 – $15,000 | $11,400 | +5% |
Cities with a workforce like Duluth's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Duluth against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crestview, FL | 125,050 jobs | $5,450 – $11,400 | $8,400 | −23% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $6,600 – $13,100 | $9,850 | −10% |
| Norwich, CT | 126,450 jobs | $6,550 – $13,200 | $9,900 | −9% |
| Amarillo, TX | 123,930 jobs | $5,250 – $10,900 | $8,100 | −26% |
Climate in Duluth: timing your roof job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Duluth (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Duluth (7 of 12 months). January, February, March, November and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March, November 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.
Duluth gets about 31 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 90 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (4.4 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 2.5 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 2 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 | 20 | 2 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 25 | 6 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Mar | 36 | 18 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Apr | 49 | 30 | 2.5 | Workable |
| May | 63 | 41 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 72 | 50 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 78 | 56 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 76 | 55 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 67 | 47 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 53 | 36 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 37 | 23 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Dec | 25 | 10 | 1.5 | Cold |
Pick a size, pick a tier: roof replacement pricing in Duluth
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Duluth 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
$7,400 to $10,200
3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof
Standard
$9,500 to $12,300
Architectural shingles, standard pitch and tear-off
Premium
$11,600 to $14,400
Heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $4,450 – $6,200 | $5,750 – $7,500 | $7,100 – $8,800 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $7,400 – $10,200 | $9,500 – $12,300 | $11,600 – $14,400 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $10,300 – $14,200 | $13,200 – $17,100 | $16,100 – $20,000 |
| very large (3,600 sq ft of roof) | $13,200 – $18,200 | $16,900 – $21,900 | $20,600 – $25,600 |
Roof replacement: what moves the price in Duluth
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.
Related projects, priced for Duluth
Because every project leans on different trades, Duluth's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, metal roof runs +16% and attic insulation +2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $12,700 – $37,000 | +16% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,450 – $4,550 | +10% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,750 – $26,200 | +4% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,050 | +2% |
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 $9,500 to $12,300 for Duluth, MN is attached.
Detailed roof replacement report for Duluth, MN, $9
Multi-page report for Duluth, MN: 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 Duluth: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace a roof in Duluth?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $7,400 to $14,400 in the Duluth area. A standard-spec job lands at $9,500 to $12,300. 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 Duluth?
About $3.65 to $7 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 Duluth or St. Cloud?
St. Cloud is 155 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $11,400, which is 5% more than Duluth ($10,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Duluth?
About 69% at the midpoint, or $7,500 out of $10,900. Materials are 29% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 61%.
+What would large (2,800 sq ft of roof) cost in Duluth?
$10,300 to $20,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does roof need a permit in Duluth?
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 Duluth area (our national range of $100 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Duluth expensive for roof compared with the rest of Minnesota?
Duluth is 3% below the Minnesota statewide estimate ($11,200 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in Minnesota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Duluth?
The BLS median is $35.03 an hour in the Duluth area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.52 to $43.29.
+What do basic and premium roof work cost in Duluth?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $7,400 to $10,200 and premium work $11,600 to $14,400. 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 Duluth?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. April 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 Duluth
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.