Roof replacement cost in Houston, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (2,000 sq ft of roof)
- $5,350 – $11,300
- Per sq ft of roof
- $2.65 – $5.40
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −10%
- US $9,300
- Rank of 300 metros
- #214
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a new roof in the Houston area: $5,350 to $11,300 for 2,000 sq ft of roof. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 10% lower than the US figure. Roofers earn a median of $21.87 an hour in the Houston area, 18% below the US median of $26.65.
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Estimated cost for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Houston, TX, standard level
$7,150 to $9,550
About $3.45 to $4.60 per sq ft of roof before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,650 | $4,000 |
| Labor | $4,300 | $5,150 |
| Permits and fees | $220 | $370 |
| Total | $7,150 | $9,550 |
Cost breakdown for 2,000 sq ft of roof in Houston, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,600 | $3,300 | $5,050 | 40% |
| Labor | $3,650 | $4,750 | $5,800 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $300 | $490 | 4% |
| Total | $5,350 | $8,350 | $11,300 | 100% |
Why Houston prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: roofers at 85%, construction laborers at 15%. Weighted together, Houston wages are 0.83 times the national level. Labor makes up about 57% of the midpoint estimate (61% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Houston is at 100.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,300 nationally becomes $3,300 here (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof). Permits follow the all-items index of 98.6: $100 to $490.
Who does the work: Houston trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Houston the blend is 0.83.
Roofers (47-2181), 85% of the weighting: a median of $21.87 an hour, 18% below the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $17.84 and $24.37 an hour. About 1,230 work in the metro. That is 3.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 15%) the local median is $19.88 an hour, which is 12% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.82 and $22.88 an hour. BLS counts 34,080 of them working in the area, 103.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (roofers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $450 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $730. That is a swing of roughly 8.8% to 5.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands has 3,289,720 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 5th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofers (47-2181) | 85% | $17.84 | $21.87 | $24.37 | $26.65 | 0.82 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 15% | $17.82 | $19.88 | $22.88 | $22.66 | 0.88 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.83 | |||||
The best months for roof in Houston
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Houston Hobby Ap (10 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Houston are September through May: 9 of 12. Outside them, June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Houston gets about 56 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (6.1 inches in June). Inside the workable window, February and March are the driest, at 2.9 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 101 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 64 | 46 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 68 | 50 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Mar | 73 | 56 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 79 | 62 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 86 | 69 | 5.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 91 | 75 | 6.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 93 | 77 | 4.6 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 77 | 5.4 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 73 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 82 | 64 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 73 | 54 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 66 | 48 | 4.3 | Workable |
How Houston compares
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Houston. College Station is the lowest at about $8,050 (midpoint, 2,000 sq ft of roof), 95 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TXthis page | $5,350 – $11,300 | $8,350 | |
| Beaumont, TX70 miles | $5,300 – $11,100 | $8,200 | −2% |
| College Station, TX95 miles | $5,200 – $10,900 | $8,050 | −3% |
| Lake Charles, LA130 miles | $5,500 – $11,400 | $8,450 | +1% |
| Austin, TX140 miles | $5,400 – $11,200 | $8,300 | level |
| Waco, TX170 miles | $5,450 – $11,200 | $8,350 | level |
| Texas (statewide) | $5,350 – $11,200 | $8,300 | −1% |
| United States | $6,100 – $12,500 | $9,300 | +11% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Houston ranks #214 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Houston is 1% above the Texas figure.
Elsewhere in Texas
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $5,550 – $11,700 | $8,600 | +3% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $5,400 – $11,200 | $8,300 | level |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $5,100 – $10,700 | $7,900 | −5% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $4,550 – $9,850 | $7,200 | −14% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $5,150 – $10,800 | $8,000 | −4% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $4,700 – $10,100 | $7,450 | −11% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Houston against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $5,550 – $11,700 | $8,600 | +3% |
| Washington, DC | 3,136,190 jobs | $6,400 – $13,100 | $9,750 | +17% |
| Chicago, IL | 4,513,280 jobs | $8,200 – $16,000 | $12,100 | +45% |
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $6,450 – $13,000 | $9,700 | +17% |
Houston: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Houston. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small (1,200 sq ft of roof) to very large (3,600 sq ft of roof).
Basic
$5,350 to $7,750
3-tab shingles, single layer, simple roof
Standard
$7,150 to $9,550
Architectural shingles, standard pitch and tear-off
Premium
$8,950 to $11,300
Heavy architectural, steep or cut-up roof, decking repairs
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small (1,200 sq ft of roof) | $3,250 – $4,750 | $4,400 – $5,850 | $5,500 – $7,000 |
| average (2,000 sq ft of roof) | $5,350 – $7,750 | $7,150 – $9,550 | $8,950 – $11,300 |
| large (2,800 sq ft of roof) | $7,450 – $10,700 | $9,900 – $13,200 | $12,400 – $15,700 |
| very large (3,600 sq ft of roof) | $9,550 – $13,700 | $12,700 – $16,900 | $15,800 – $20,000 |
Planning more than one job in Houston?
Jobs that often go together with roof are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Houston wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, attic insulation comes out highest (−1%) and metal roof lowest (−9%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $8,800 – $29,900 | −9% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,200 – $4,000 | −6% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $7,750 – $23,300 | −8% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $980 – $3,950 | −1% |
Why two Houston quotes can differ
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.
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 $7,150 to $9,550 for Houston, TX is attached.
Detailed roof replacement report for Houston, TX, $9
Multi-page report for Houston, TX: 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 Houston: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace a roof in Houston?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, expect $5,350 to $11,300 in the Houston area. A standard-spec job lands at $7,150 to $9,550. 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 Houston?
About $2.65 to $5.40 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 Houston or Beaumont?
Beaumont is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 2,000 sq ft of roof there is $8,200, which is 2% less than Houston ($8,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Houston?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $4,750 out of $8,350. Materials are 40% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 61%.
+What would large (2,800 sq ft of roof) cost in Houston?
$7,450 to $15,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does roof need a permit in Houston?
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 Houston area (our national range of $100 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Houston expensive for roof compared with the rest of Texas?
Houston is 1% above the Texas statewide estimate ($8,300 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do roofers earn in Houston?
The BLS median is $21.87 an hour in the Houston area, compared with $26.65 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.84 to $24.37.
+What do basic and premium roof work cost in Houston?
For 2,000 sq ft of roof, basic work runs $5,350 to $7,750 and premium work $8,950 to $11,300. 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 Houston?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. February and March 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 Houston
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.