Home project costs in Chicago, IL
Every project we cover, priced for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
The BEA price index for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area is 103.6 against 100 for the US, which puts Chicago 38th among 300 metros we track. Goods prices, which matter most for materials, are at 107.3. BLS counts roughly 4,513,280 jobs here.
In Chicago, 38 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 0 below. The biggest premiums are roof replacement (+30%), sprinkler system (+30%) and concrete driveway (+30%); the lowest are window replacement (+10%), sod installation (+12%) and vinyl fence (+12%). The spread comes from which trades each job uses: a labor-heavy job follows local wages, while a materials-heavy job follows the goods index.
Weather: the nearest NOAA station (Chicago Midway Ap, 5 miles away) shows a January average low of 19°F, a July average high of 85°F and 34 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are April through October; for exterior installation, they are March through November.
What local trades earn in Chicago
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $22.25 | $29.27 | $48.44 | $22.66 | 1.29 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $28.26 | $38.68 | $54.79 | $29.12 | 1.33 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $37.78 | $49.57 | $56.42 | $28.78 | 1.72 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $35.72 | $49.70 | $58.91 | $30.67 | 1.62 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $28.71 | $38.95 | $50.74 | $27.41 | 1.42 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $35.77 | $49.21 | $57.05 | $30.38 | 1.62 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | $23.90 | $35.90 | $48.52 | $26.77 | 1.34 |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $28.73 | $39.47 | $50.61 | $26.65 | 1.48 |
Concrete & paving in Chicago
The 7 jobs here average +25% versus the US in Chicago, from +21% (concrete slab) to +30% (concrete driveway).
| Project | Size | Chicago range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in Chicago | 400 sq ft | $3,000 – $6,200 | +21% |
| Concrete driveway cost in Chicago | 600 sq ft | $4,650 – $12,000 | +30% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in Chicago | 600 sq ft | $3,700 – $9,350 | +25% |
| Gravel driveway cost in Chicago | 1,000 sq ft | $3,250 – $13,100 | +29% |
| Paver patio cost in Chicago | 300 sq ft | $3,650 – $6,600 | +22% |
| Concrete patio cost in Chicago | 300 sq ft | $1,500 – $5,000 | +24% |
| Stamped concrete cost in Chicago | 400 sq ft | $3,950 – $9,850 | +24% |
Decks & outdoor in Chicago
The 2 jobs here average +20% versus the US in Chicago, from +18% (wood deck) to +22% (composite deck).
| Project | Size | Chicago range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in Chicago | 300 sq ft | $8,900 – $17,900 | +18% |
| Composite deck cost in Chicago | 300 sq ft | $14,700 – $29,500 | +22% |
Building & additions in Chicago
Across these 2 projects, Chicago averages +26% against national midpoints. Home addition is highest at +29% and detached garage lowest at +22%.
| Project | Size | Chicago range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in Chicago | 576 sq ft | $35,500 – $71,100 | +22% |
| Home addition cost in Chicago | 300 sq ft | $49,000 – $99,000 | +29% |
Doors & windows in Chicago
The 5 jobs here average +14% versus the US in Chicago, from +10% (window replacement) to +16% (storm door).
| Project | Size | Chicago range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in Chicago | 1 door | $840 – $4,250 | +15% |
| Storm door cost in Chicago | 1 door | $410 – $1,100 | +16% |
| Front door cost in Chicago | 1 door | $610 – $2,800 | +13% |
| Window replacement cost in Chicago | 10 windows | $5,000 – $16,500 | +10% |
| Patio door cost in Chicago | 1 door | $680 – $6,950 | +15% |
Fencing in Chicago
The 4 jobs here average +17% versus the US in Chicago, from +12% (vinyl fence) to +21% (chain-link fence).
| Project | Size | Chicago range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in Chicago | 150 linear ft | $3,600 – $8,900 | +17% |
| Vinyl fence cost in Chicago | 150 linear ft | $5,050 – $10,300 | +12% |
| Chain-link fence cost in Chicago | 150 linear ft | $1,800 – $7,550 | +21% |
| Aluminum fence cost in Chicago | 150 linear ft | $4,500 – $13,300 | +17% |
Roofing & exterior in Chicago
The 5 jobs here average +23% versus the US in Chicago, from +12% (attic insulation) to +30% (roof replacement).
| Project | Size | Chicago range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in Chicago | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $8,200 – $16,000 | +30% |
| Metal roof cost in Chicago | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $14,100 – $41,300 | +30% |
| Gutters cost in Chicago | 160 linear ft | $1,600 – $5,050 | +21% |
| Vinyl siding cost in Chicago | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $10,100 – $30,400 | +21% |
| Attic insulation cost in Chicago | 1,000 sq ft | $1,150 – $4,500 | +12% |
Kitchen & bath in Chicago
Across these 5 projects, Chicago averages +22% against national midpoints. Shower pan is highest at +30% and kitchen remodel lowest at +14%.
| Project | Size | Chicago range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in Chicago | 25 linear ft | $4,950 – $17,300 | +22% |
| Shower pan cost in Chicago | 1 pan | $1,300 – $3,550 | +30% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in Chicago | 120 sq ft | $21,000 – $35,800 | +14% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in Chicago | 45 sq ft | $5,850 – $29,100 | +25% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in Chicago | 30 sq ft | $360 – $1,750 | +18% |
Landscaping & drainage in Chicago
Across these 5 projects, Chicago averages +24% against national midpoints. Sprinkler system is highest at +30% and sod installation lowest at +12%.
| Project | Size | Chicago range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in Chicago | 60 linear ft | $740 – $2,600 | +24% |
| Retaining wall cost in Chicago | 200 sq ft of wall face | $9,150 – $16,400 | +25% |
| Sod installation cost in Chicago | 1,500 sq ft | $1,700 – $3,700 | +12% |
| Sprinkler system cost in Chicago | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $5,200 – $13,000 | +30% |
| Inground pool cost in Chicago | 450 sq ft | $46,500 – $145,000 | +29% |
Flooring & interior in Chicago
The 3 jobs here average +18% versus the US in Chicago, from +17% (hardwood flooring) to +20% (laminate flooring).
| Project | Size | Chicago range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in Chicago | 500 sq ft | $6,500 – $14,600 | +17% |
| Laminate flooring cost in Chicago | 500 sq ft | $2,450 – $8,350 | +20% |
| Tile flooring cost in Chicago | 200 sq ft | $3,100 – $11,500 | +18% |
Chicago against its nearest metros
Averaged over all 38 projects, Chicago prices +21% against the US midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, none price higher and 6 lower. Niles is the lowest at −6% (55 miles) and Rockford the highest at +8% (75 miles). These are unweighted averages of the midpoints, a rough guide to overall price level rather than a number for any one job.
| Metro | Distance | Price index | Goods index | All projects vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, ILthis page | 103.6 | 107.3 | +21% | |
| Niles, MI | 55 miles | 92.4 | 93.7 | −6% |
| Kenosha, WI | 55 miles | 101.1 | 106.2 | +7% |
| Racine, WI | 70 miles | 96.0 | 93.8 | +2% |
| Rockford, IL | 75 miles | 92.2 | 93.6 | +8% |
| Milwaukee, WI | 80 miles | 96.9 | 93.8 | +5% |
| South Bend, IN | 90 miles | 92.9 | 94.2 | level |