Window replacement cost in San Francisco, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (10 windows)
- $5,350 – $17,300
- Per window
- $533 – $1,734
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +16%
- US $9,750
- Rank of 300 metros
- #3
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to replace windows in San Francisco, plan on $5,350 to $17,300 for 10 windows, all in. Per window, that is $533 to $1,734 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 16% higher than the national one. Glaziers earn a median of $35.84 an hour in the San Francisco area, 31% above the US median of $27.44.
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Estimated cost for 10 windows in San Francisco, CA, standard level
$8,950 to $13,700
About $894 to $1,374 per window before permits. Labor is about 32% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,900 | $9,500 |
| Labor | $3,050 | $4,250 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $8,950 | $13,700 |
Cost breakdown for 10 windows in San Francisco, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,150 | $7,700 | $12,200 | 68% |
| Labor | $2,150 | $3,650 | $5,150 | 32% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $5,350 | $11,300 | $17,300 | 100% |
Where the San Francisco price comes from
Labor is 32% of the midpoint bill here, against 27% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is glaziers (50%), carpenters (40%), general maintenance and repair workers (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In San Francisco the blended ratio comes out at 1.37.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the San Francisco metro is 108.5 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 10 windows comes to $7,700, compared with $7,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (115.6) and land at $0 to $0.
Specs and site conditions that change a San Francisco bid
Frame material
Vinyl windows run $350-$1,500 each installed, fiberglass $400-$2,000, composite $400-$2,300, and wood $800-$3,800 (HomeGuide).
Window type
Single-hung and picture windows are cheapest; bay and bow windows can reach $3,000-$8,000+.
Count
Replacing 10 to 15 windows runs $4,500-$22,500; at 25 windows it is $11,250-$37,500.
Planning more than one job in San Francisco?
Because every project leans on different trades, San Francisco's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, vinyl siding runs +30% and front door +18%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patio door | 1 door | $710 – $7,450 | +24% |
| Front door | 1 door | $650 – $2,900 | +18% |
| Storm door | 1 door | $440 – $1,150 | +23% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $10,900 – $32,700 | +30% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $860 – $4,400 | +19% |
San Francisco labor market for windows
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for San Francisco is 1.37 times the national level.
For glaziers (47-2121, weighted 50%) the local median is $35.84 an hour, which is 31% above the national $27.44. The middle half of them earn between $28.73 and $58.62 an hour. BLS counts 1,080 of them working in the area, 4.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.8), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 40%) the local median is $42.89 an hour, which is 47% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $30.45 and $48.26 an hour. BLS counts 14,010 of them working in the area, 59.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
General maintenance and repair workers (49-9071), 10% of the weighting: a median of $30.59 an hour, 28% above the US median of $23.84. The middle half of them earn between $24.99 and $38.53 an hour. About 18,550 work in the metro. That is 78.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 98.4 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the glaziers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($58.62 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,100. At the 25th percentile ($28.73) it shrinks by about $350. The total moves by 9.8% or 3.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 2,373,920 jobs in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area. That makes it the 12th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 1.53% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glaziers (47-2121) | 50% | $28.73 | $35.84 | $58.62 | $27.44 | 1.31 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $30.45 | $42.89 | $48.26 | $29.12 | 1.47 | metro |
| General maintenance and repair workers (49-9071) | 10% | $24.99 | $30.59 | $38.53 | $23.84 | 1.28 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.37 | |||||
Climate in San Francisco: timing your windows job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for San Francisco Dwtn (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
Weather is not a serious constraint for exterior installation in San Francisco: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average daytime high under 45°F) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
San Francisco gets about 23 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (4.8 inches in December). The station averages about 3 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 | 58 | 47 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 60 | 48 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Mar | 62 | 49 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 63 | 50 | 1.6 | Workable |
| May | 64 | 51 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 67 | 53 | 0.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 66 | 54 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Aug | 68 | 56 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 70 | 56 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 70 | 54 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 64 | 51 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 58 | 47 | 4.8 | Workable |
San Francisco against nearby metros and the rest of California
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than San Francisco. Stockton is the lowest at about $10,400 (midpoint, 10 windows), 55 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CAthis page | $5,350 – $17,300 | $11,300 | |
| Vallejo, CA40 miles | $4,950 – $16,300 | $10,700 | −6% |
| Napa, CA50 miles | $5,000 – $16,400 | $10,700 | −6% |
| Santa Cruz, CA55 miles | $4,850 – $16,100 | $10,500 | −8% |
| Stockton, CA55 miles | $4,850 – $16,000 | $10,400 | −8% |
| Santa Rosa, CA65 miles | $4,950 – $16,300 | $10,600 | −6% |
| California (statewide) | $4,950 – $16,400 | $10,700 | −6% |
| United States | $4,500 – $15,000 | $9,750 | −14% |
Across 300 US metros, San Francisco comes in at #3 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $11,800; the cheapest is Laredo, TX at $8,350 (midpoints, 10 windows). Statewide, San Francisco is 6% above the California figure.
Other California metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $4,950 – $16,400 | $10,700 | −6% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $4,700 – $15,600 | $10,100 | −11% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $5,000 – $16,500 | $10,800 | −5% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $5,250 – $17,000 | $11,100 | −2% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $4,900 – $16,200 | $10,500 | −7% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $4,750 – $15,800 | $10,200 | −10% |
Cities with a workforce like San Francisco's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is San Francisco against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 2,375,760 jobs | $4,350 – $14,400 | $9,400 | −17% |
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $5,050 – $16,500 | $10,800 | −5% |
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $5,350 – $17,100 | $11,200 | −1% |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $4,900 – $16,100 | $10,500 | −7% |
Cost by quality level and size in San Francisco
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for San Francisco 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
$5,350 to $10,100
Standard vinyl single-hung, same openings
Standard
$8,950 to $13,700
Mid-grade vinyl or composite, a few larger units
Premium
$12,500 to $17,300
Fiberglass or wood, large or custom sizes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| a few windows (5 windows) | $2,650 – $5,050 | $4,450 – $6,850 | $6,250 – $8,650 |
| small house (10 windows) | $5,350 – $10,100 | $8,950 – $13,700 | $12,500 – $17,300 |
| average house (15 windows) | $8,000 – $15,200 | $13,400 – $20,600 | $18,800 – $26,000 |
| whole house (25 windows) | $13,300 – $25,300 | $22,300 – $34,300 | $31,300 – $43,400 |
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Window replacement in San Francisco: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace windows in San Francisco?
For 10 windows, expect $5,350 to $17,300 in the San Francisco area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,950 to $13,700. Small jobs usually cost more per window and large ones less.
+What is the price per window for windows in San Francisco?
About $533 to $1,734 per window for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $450 to $1,500.
+Is windows cheaper in San Francisco or Vallejo?
Vallejo is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 10 windows there is $10,700, which is 6% less than San Francisco ($11,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in San Francisco?
About 32% at the midpoint, or $3,650 out of $11,300. Materials are 68% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 27%.
+What would average house (15 windows) cost in San Francisco?
$8,000 to $26,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does windows need a permit in San Francisco?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $0 for fees in the San Francisco area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is San Francisco expensive for windows compared with the rest of California?
San Francisco is 6% above the California statewide estimate ($10,700 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do glaziers earn in San Francisco?
The BLS median is $35.84 an hour in the San Francisco area, compared with $27.44 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.73 to $58.62.
+What do basic and premium windows work cost in San Francisco?
For 10 windows, basic work runs $5,350 to $10,100 and premium work $12,500 to $17,300. Basic means: standard vinyl single-hung, same openings. Premium means: fiberglass or wood, large or custom sizes.
+Is there a bad season to replace windows in San Francisco?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
Window replacement near San Francisco
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 Window Replacement Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (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 = 65% of the low installed price and 75% of the high one, from HomeGuide's statement that the window unit is 65-75% of replacement cost.