Roof replacement cost in Allentown, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $6,300 – $12,900
- Per sq ft of roof
- $3.10 – $6.20
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $9,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #89
- 1 = most expensive
Allentown homeowners pay roughly $6,300 to $12,900 to replace a roof at 2,000 sq ft of roof, or $3.10 to $6.20 per sq ft of roof (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Allentown is 3% higher. Roofers earn a median of $27.95 an hour in the Allentown area, 5% above the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Allentown, PA, standard level
$8,300 to $10,900
About $4.05 to $5.25 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 62% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,650 | $4,000 |
| Labor | $5,450 | $6,500 |
| Permits and fees | $220 | $380 |
| Total | $8,300 | $10,900 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Allentown, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,600 | $3,300 | $5,050 | 35% |
| Labor | $4,600 | $6,000 | $7,350 | 62% |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $300 | $500 | 3% |
| Total | $6,300 | $9,600 | $12,900 | 100% |
Where the Allentown price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: roofers at 85%, construction laborers at 15%. Weighted together, Allentown wages are 1.05 times the national level. Labor makes up about 62% of the midpoint estimate (61% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Allentown metro is 100.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 2,000 sq ft of roof comes to $3,300, compared with $3,300 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (100.0) and land at $100 to $500.
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 Allentown is 1.05 times the national level.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 85%) the local median is $27.95 an hour, which is 5% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.45 and $34.80 an hour. BLS counts 140 of them working in the area, 3.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 15% of the weighting: a median of $23.70 an hour, 5% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.27 and $30.00 an hour. About 1,670 work in the metro. That is 44.3 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 ($34.80 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,250. At the 25th percentile ($23.45) it shrinks by about $820. The total moves by 13.0% or 8.5%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 377,180 jobs in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton area. That makes it the 69th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.24% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 85% | $23.45 | $27.95 | $34.80 | $26.65 | 1.05 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 15% | $22.27 | $23.70 | $30.00 | $22.66 | 1.05 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.05 | |||||
Allentown: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Allentown 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
$6,300 to $8,950
3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof
Standard
$8,300 to $10,900
Architectural shingles, standard pitch and tear-off
Premium
$10,200 to $12,900
Heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $3,850 – $5,450 | $5,050 – $6,700 | $6,300 – $7,900 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $6,300 – $8,950 | $8,300 – $10,900 | $10,200 – $12,900 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $8,800 – $12,400 | $11,500 – $15,100 | $14,200 – $17,800 |
| very large (3,600 sq ft of roof) | $11,300 – $15,900 | $14,700 – $19,300 | $18,200 – $22,800 |
When to schedule roof in Allentown
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Allentown Intl 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 Allentown (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.
Allentown gets about 47 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 33 inches of snow. The wettest months are July, August and September (5.3 inches in July). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 3.6 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 18 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 | 38 | 22 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 42 | 23 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 51 | 31 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 63 | 40 | 3.7 | Workable |
| May | 74 | 51 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 60 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 65 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 63 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 55 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 44 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 54 | 34 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 43 | 27 | 3.9 | Cold |
Roof replacement: what moves the price in Allentown
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.
Allentown against nearby metros and the rest of Pennsylvania
Same job, same size (2,000 sq ft of roof), priced for the nearest metros. Trenton is the priciest of the group at $12,100. Scranton is the cheapest at $8,800.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown, PAthis page | $6,300 – $12,900 | $9,600 | |
| Reading, PA40 miles | $5,750 – $12,000 | $8,850 | −7% |
| Scranton, PA45 miles | $5,750 – $11,900 | $8,800 | −8% |
| Trenton, NJ50 miles | $8,250 – $15,900 | $12,100 | +26% |
| Philadelphia, PA60 miles | $6,450 – $13,000 | $9,700 | +1% |
| Lancaster, PA70 miles | $5,950 – $12,300 | $9,100 | −5% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $6,150 – $12,500 | $9,350 | −3% |
| United States | $6,100 – $12,500 | $9,300 | −3% |
Across 300 US metros, Allentown comes in at #89 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, Allentown is 3% above the Pennsylvania figure.
Other Pennsylvania metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $6,450 – $13,000 | $9,700 | +1% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $5,950 – $12,300 | $9,100 | −5% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $5,850 – $12,100 | $8,950 | −6% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $5,750 – $11,900 | $8,800 | −8% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $5,950 – $12,300 | $9,100 | −5% |
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $6,000 – $12,400 | $9,200 | −4% |
Cities with a workforce like Allentown's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Allentown against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson, AZ | 389,630 jobs | $5,250 – $11,000 | $8,150 | −15% |
| Dayton, OH | 372,660 jobs | $5,800 – $11,800 | $8,800 | −8% |
| Boise, ID | 391,790 jobs | $6,350 – $12,800 | $9,600 | level |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $5,500 – $11,500 | $8,500 | −12% |
What nearby projects cost in Allentown
Because every project leans on different trades, Allentown's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, metal roof runs +3% and attic insulation −4%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $10,600 – $33,400 | +3% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,300 – $4,300 | +2% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,450 – $25,400 | +1% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $950 – $3,850 | −4% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed roof replacement report for Allentown, PA, $9
Multi-page report for Allentown, PA: 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 Allentown: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace a roof in Allentown?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $6,300 to $12,900 in the Allentown area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,300 to $10,900. 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 Allentown?
About $3.10 to $6.20 per sq ft of roof for materials and labor, plus $100 to $500 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $3 to $6.
+Is roof cheaper in Allentown or Reading?
Reading is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $8,850, which is 7% less than Allentown ($9,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Allentown?
About 62% at the midpoint, or $6,000 out of $9,600. Materials are 35% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 61%.
+What would large (2,800 sq ft of roof) cost in Allentown?
$8,800 to $17,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does roof need a permit in Allentown?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $100 to $500 for fees in the Allentown area (our national range of $100 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Allentown expensive for roof compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Allentown is 3% above the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($9,350 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Allentown?
The BLS median is $27.95 an hour in the Allentown area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.45 to $34.80.
+What do basic and premium roof work cost in Allentown?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $6,300 to $8,950 and premium work $10,200 to $12,900. 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 Allentown?
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 Allentown
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.