Window replacement cost in Chicago, IL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (10 windows)
- $5,000 – $16,500
- Per window
- $501 – $1,652
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +10%
- US $9,750
- Rank of 300 metros
- #11
- 1 = most expensive
Chicago homeowners pay roughly $5,000 to $16,500 to replace windows at 10 windows, or $501 to $1,652 per window (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Chicago is 10% higher. Building materials run about 7% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 107.3).
Estimate your window replacement cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 10 windows in Chicago, IL, standard level
$8,450 to $13,100
About $846 to $1,307 per window before permits. Labor is about 29% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,800 | $9,400 |
| Labor | $2,650 | $3,700 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $8,450 | $13,100 |
Cost breakdown for 10 windows in Chicago, IL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,150 | $7,600 | $12,100 | 71% |
| Labor | $1,900 | $3,150 | $4,450 | 29% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $5,000 | $10,800 | $16,500 | 100% |
Why Chicago prices look the way they do
Labor is 29% 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 Chicago the blended ratio comes out at 1.19.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Chicago metro is 107.3 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 10 windows comes to $7,600, compared with $7,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (103.6) and land at $0 to $0.
Specs and site conditions that change a Chicago bid
Permit
Window permits are $50-$200 each, or $400-$600 total for a multi-window job, and are often only needed when you change the opening (HomeGuide). No permit fee is included here because many cities do not ask for one on same-size replacements.
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+.
Is Chicago cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 10 windows range from $9,050 to $10,800 across Chicago and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, ILthis page | $5,000 – $16,500 | $10,800 | |
| Niles, MI55 miles | $4,200 – $14,000 | $9,050 | −16% |
| Kenosha, WI55 miles | $4,800 – $15,900 | $10,400 | −4% |
| Racine, WI70 miles | $4,400 – $14,500 | $9,450 | −12% |
| Rockford, IL75 miles | $4,500 – $14,800 | $9,650 | −10% |
| Milwaukee, WI80 miles | $4,600 – $14,900 | $9,750 | −9% |
| Illinois (statewide) | $4,900 – $16,100 | $10,500 | −2% |
| United States | $4,500 – $15,000 | $9,750 | −9% |
Across 300 US metros, Chicago comes in at #11 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $11,800; the cheapest is Laredo, TX at $8,350 (midpoints, 10 windows). Statewide, Chicago is 3% above the Illinois figure.
Other Illinois metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | 166,020 jobs | $4,550 – $14,800 | $9,700 | −10% |
| Rockford, IL | 137,650 jobs | $4,500 – $14,800 | $9,650 | −10% |
| Champaign, IL | 105,500 jobs | $4,450 – $14,600 | $9,550 | −11% |
| Springfield, IL | 100,810 jobs | $4,550 – $14,800 | $9,700 | −10% |
| Bloomington, IL | 88,110 jobs | $4,550 – $14,800 | $9,650 | −10% |
Cities with a workforce like Chicago's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Chicago against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $4,950 – $16,400 | $10,700 | −1% |
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $4,350 – $14,800 | $9,550 | −11% |
| New York, NY | 9,492,000 jobs | $5,150 – $17,000 | $11,100 | +3% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $4,250 – $14,500 | $9,400 | −13% |
Related projects, priced for Chicago
Because every project leans on different trades, Chicago's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, vinyl siding runs +21% and front door +13%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patio door | 1 door | $680 – $6,950 | +15% |
| Front door | 1 door | $610 – $2,800 | +13% |
| Storm door | 1 door | $410 – $1,100 | +16% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $10,100 – $30,400 | +21% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $840 – $4,250 | +15% |
When to schedule windows in Chicago
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Chicago Midway 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 Chicago (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.
Chicago gets about 34 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and August (4.1 inches in May). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 1.9 and 2.4 inches. The station averages about 20 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 | 33 | 19 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 23 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 32 | 1.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 60 | 41 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 71 | 52 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 81 | 62 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 68 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 83 | 66 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 76 | 59 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 47 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 35 | 2.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 38 | 25 | 1.8 | Cold |
Chicago: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Chicago 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
$5,000 to $9,600
Standard vinyl single-hung, same openings
Standard
$8,450 to $13,100
Mid-grade vinyl or composite, a few larger units
Premium
$11,900 to $16,500
Fiberglass or wood, large or custom sizes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| a few windows (5 windows) | $2,500 – $4,800 | $4,250 – $6,550 | $5,950 – $8,250 |
| small house (10 windows) | $5,000 – $9,600 | $8,450 – $13,100 | $11,900 – $16,500 |
| average house (15 windows) | $7,500 – $14,400 | $12,700 – $19,600 | $17,900 – $24,800 |
| whole house (25 windows) | $12,500 – $24,000 | $21,200 – $32,700 | $29,800 – $41,300 |
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Chicago is 1.19 times the national level.
For glaziers (47-2121, weighted 50%) the local median is $29.58 an hour, which is 8% above the national $27.44. The middle half of them earn between $28.00 and $47.42 an hour. BLS counts 1,260 of them working in the area, 2.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.8), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 40%) the local median is $38.68 an hour, which is 33% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.26 and $54.79 an hour. BLS counts 14,220 of them working in the area, 31.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
General maintenance and repair workers (49-9071), 10% of the weighting: a median of $27.90 an hour, 17% above the US median of $23.84. The middle half of them earn between $21.67 and $34.66 an hour. About 45,710 work in the metro. That is 101.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 98.4 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the glaziers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($47.42 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $870. At the 25th percentile ($28.00) it shrinks by about $75. The total moves by 8.0% or 0.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 4,513,280 jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area. That makes it the 3rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 2.90% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glaziers (47-2121) | 50% | $28.00 | $29.58 | $47.42 | $27.44 | 1.08 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $28.26 | $38.68 | $54.79 | $29.12 | 1.33 | metro |
| General maintenance and repair workers (49-9071) | 10% | $21.67 | $27.90 | $34.66 | $23.84 | 1.17 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.19 | |||||
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 $8,450 to $13,100 for Chicago, IL is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Chicago, IL: 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.
Window replacement in Chicago: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace windows in Chicago?
For 10 windows, expect $5,000 to $16,500 in the Chicago area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,450 to $13,100. Small jobs usually cost more per window and large ones less.
+What is the price per window for windows in Chicago?
About $501 to $1,652 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 Chicago or Niles?
Niles is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 10 windows there is $9,050, which is 16% less than Chicago ($10,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chicago?
About 29% at the midpoint, or $3,150 out of $10,800. Materials are 71% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 27%.
+What would average house (15 windows) cost in Chicago?
$7,500 to $24,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does windows need a permit in Chicago?
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 Chicago area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Chicago expensive for windows compared with the rest of Illinois?
Chicago is 3% above the Illinois statewide estimate ($10,500 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Illinois; see the state page to compare them.
+What do glaziers earn in Chicago?
The BLS median is $29.58 an hour in the Chicago area, compared with $27.44 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.00 to $47.42.
+What do basic and premium windows work cost in Chicago?
For 10 windows, basic work runs $5,000 to $9,600 and premium work $11,900 to $16,500. Basic means: standard vinyl single-hung, same openings. Premium means: fiberglass or wood, large or custom sizes.
+When is the best time to replace windows in Chicago?
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.
Window replacement near Chicago
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.