Roof replacement cost in Raleigh, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $5,700 – $11,800
- Per sq ft of roof
- $2.80 – $5.65
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $9,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #139
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to replace a roof in Raleigh, plan on $5,700 to $11,800 for 2,000 sq ft of roof, all in. Per sq ft of roof, that is $2.80 to $5.65 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 6% lower than the national one. Roofers earn a median of $24.39 an hour in the Raleigh area, 8% below the US median of $26.65.
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Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Raleigh, NC, standard level
$7,550 to $9,950
About $3.65 to $4.80 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,550 | $3,850 |
| Labor | $4,800 | $5,750 |
| Permits and fees | $220 | $370 |
| Total | $7,550 | $9,950 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Raleigh, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,550 | $3,200 | $4,850 | 36% |
| Labor | $4,050 | $5,250 | $6,450 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $290 | $490 | 3% |
| Total | $5,700 | $8,750 | $11,800 | 100% |
Why Raleigh prices look the way they do
Labor is 60% 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 Raleigh the blended ratio comes out at 0.92.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Raleigh metro is 96.6 (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 (98.2) and land at $100 to $490.
Raleigh 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 Raleigh is 0.92 times the national level.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 85%) the local median is $24.39 an hour, which is 8% below the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.09 and $27.94 an hour. BLS counts 580 of them working in the area, 7.8 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 $21.95 an hour, 3% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.31 and $23.77 an hour. About 6,360 work in the metro. That is 85.6 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 ($27.94 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $650. At the 25th percentile ($23.09) it shrinks by about $240. The total moves by 7.4% or 2.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 743,120 jobs in the Raleigh-Cary area. That makes it the 41st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.48% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 85% | $23.09 | $24.39 | $27.94 | $26.65 | 0.92 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 15% | $18.31 | $21.95 | $23.77 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.92 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: roof replacement pricing in Raleigh
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Raleigh 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
$5,700 to $8,150
3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof
Standard
$7,550 to $9,950
Architectural shingles, standard pitch and tear-off
Premium
$9,350 to $11,800
Heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $3,450 – $5,000 | $4,600 – $6,150 | $5,750 – $7,250 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $5,700 – $8,150 | $7,550 – $9,950 | $9,350 – $11,800 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $7,950 – $11,300 | $10,500 – $13,800 | $13,000 – $16,300 |
| very large (3,600 sq ft of roof) | $10,200 – $14,400 | $13,400 – $17,600 | $16,600 – $20,800 |
Planning more than one job in Raleigh?
Because every project leans on different trades, Raleigh's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, attic insulation runs −4% and vinyl siding −8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $9,300 – $30,400 | −7% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,200 – $3,950 | −6% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $7,750 – $23,200 | −8% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $950 – $3,850 | −4% |
Roof replacement: what moves the price in Raleigh
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.
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.
Climate in Raleigh: timing your roof job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Raleigh Durham Intl Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
August through June is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Raleigh (11 of 12 months). July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Raleigh gets about 46 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 5 inches of snow. The wettest months are July, August and September (5.2 inches in September). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 2.8 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 52 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 | 52 | 32 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 56 | 34 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 63 | 40 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 49 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 80 | 58 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 87 | 66 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 70 | 5.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 89 | 69 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 83 | 63 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 73 | 50 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 63 | 40 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 55 | 34 | 3.4 | Workable |
How Raleigh compares
Same job, same size (2,000 sq ft of roof), priced for the nearest metros. Raleigh is the priciest of the group. Greenville is the cheapest at $8,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NCthis page | $5,700 – $11,800 | $8,750 | |
| Durham, NC40 miles | $5,600 – $11,600 | $8,600 | −2% |
| Burlington, NC55 miles | $5,550 – $11,500 | $8,500 | −3% |
| Fayetteville, NC60 miles | $5,550 – $11,500 | $8,550 | −2% |
| Greenville, NC60 miles | $5,450 – $11,400 | $8,400 | −4% |
| Greensboro, NC75 miles | $5,500 – $11,500 | $8,500 | −3% |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $5,550 – $11,600 | $8,550 | −2% |
| United States | $6,100 – $12,500 | $9,300 | +6% |
Across 300 US metros, Raleigh comes in at #139 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, Raleigh is 2% above the North Carolina figure.
Other North Carolina metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $5,550 – $11,500 | $8,550 | −2% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $5,500 – $11,500 | $8,500 | −3% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $5,600 – $11,600 | $8,600 | −2% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $5,550 – $11,500 | $8,550 | −2% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $5,600 – $11,600 | $8,550 | −2% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $5,650 – $11,700 | $8,700 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Raleigh's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Raleigh against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $5,300 – $11,200 | $8,250 | −6% |
| Providence, RI | 714,120 jobs | $6,650 – $13,300 | $9,950 | +14% |
| Jacksonville, FL | 765,930 jobs | $5,450 – $11,400 | $8,400 | −4% |
| Louisville, KY | 685,190 jobs | $5,600 – $11,600 | $8,600 | −2% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Multi-page report for Raleigh, NC: 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 Raleigh: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace a roof in Raleigh?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $5,700 to $11,800 in the Raleigh area. A standard-spec job lands at $7,550 to $9,950. 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 Raleigh?
About $2.80 to $5.65 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $100 to $490 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $3 to $6.
+Is roof cheaper in Raleigh or Durham?
Durham is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $8,600, which is 2% less than Raleigh ($8,750). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Raleigh?
About 60% at the midpoint, or $5,250 out of $8,750. Materials are 36% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 61%.
+What would large (2,800 sq ft of roof) cost in Raleigh?
$7,950 to $16,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does roof need a permit in Raleigh?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $100 to $490 for fees in the Raleigh area (our national range of $100 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Raleigh expensive for roof compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Raleigh is 2% above the North Carolina statewide estimate ($8,550 at the midpoint). We cover 11 metros in North Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Raleigh?
The BLS median is $24.39 an hour in the Raleigh area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.09 to $27.94.
+What do basic and premium roof work cost in Raleigh?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $5,700 to $8,150 and premium work $9,350 to $11,800. 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 Raleigh?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are August through June. February 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 Raleigh
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.