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Home project costs in Iowa

Statewide ranges for 38 projects, using Iowa wages (BLS) and regional prices (BEA). Pick a city below for local prices.

On BEA's regional price index, Iowa is number 49 of 51 (50 states and DC) at 87.8, with 100 as the US average. Goods prices come in at 93.7, rank 48. The state has 1,559,240 jobs in the BLS survey.

Statewide, 0 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 35 below, and 3 are level with it. The highest against the national midpoint are paver patio (level), attic insulation (level) and retaining wall (level); the biggest discounts are roof replacement (−9%), metal roof (−7%) and kitchen remodel (−6%).

Weather across the 7 metros we cover: January average lows of 10 to 15°F, July average highs of 82 to 86°F and 29 to 38 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).

Cities in Iowa

How the metros in Iowa compare

Inside Iowa, Davenport is the priciest of the 7 metros we cover at −1% against the US midpoint (averaged over all 38 projects), and Iowa City the cheapest at −6%. That is a gap of 5.0 percentage points between the two. Part of that gap is wages and part is materials, so check the individual city pages for the job you have in mind.

Metros in Iowa, by overall price level
MetroJobsPrice indexGoods indexAll projects vs. US
Davenport, IA180,45089.194.2−1%
Des Moines, IA404,13091.793.7−1%
Waterloo, IA84,26087.193.7−2%
Cedar Rapids, IA139,26089.093.7−2%
Dubuque, IA58,47087.393.7−3%
Sioux City, IA75,01086.594.0−5%
Iowa City, IA93,76091.593.7−6%

What trades earn in Iowa

Hourly wages for the trades used by the most projects: Iowa vs. the US (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
TradeProjects using it25th pctMedian75th pctUS medianRatio
Construction laborers (47-2061)25$21.90$23.31$28.11$22.661.03
Carpenters (47-2031)23$22.91$27.75$31.69$29.120.95
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073)10$25.77$29.01$34.93$28.781.01
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152)7$24.95$30.72$41.02$30.671.00
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051)6$22.74$27.99$31.25$27.411.02
Electricians (47-2111)6$22.31$29.26$38.45$30.380.96
Tile and stone setters (47-2044)5$23.11$26.13$34.11$26.770.98
Roofers (47-2181)5$22.31$23.39$29.50$26.650.88

Concrete & paving in Iowa

The 7 jobs here average −2% versus the US in Iowa, from −3% (concrete slab) to level (paver patio).

ProjectSizeIowa rangeUS midpoint
Concrete slab cost in Iowa400 sq ft$2,400 – $5,000$3,850
Concrete driveway cost in Iowa600 sq ft$3,600 – $9,150$6,450
Asphalt driveway cost in Iowa600 sq ft$3,000 – $7,350$5,250
Gravel driveway cost in Iowa1,000 sq ft$2,450 – $9,950$6,350
Paver patio cost in Iowa300 sq ft$3,000 – $5,450$4,250
Concrete patio cost in Iowa300 sq ft$1,200 – $3,900$2,650
Stamped concrete cost in Iowa400 sq ft$3,150 – $7,750$5,600

Decks & outdoor in Iowa

The 2 jobs here average −5% versus the US in Iowa, from −5% (wood deck) to −4% (composite deck).

ProjectSizeIowa rangeUS midpoint
Wood deck cost in Iowa300 sq ft$7,200 – $14,400$11,400
Composite deck cost in Iowa300 sq ft$11,500 – $23,100$18,100

Building & additions in Iowa

Across these 2 projects, Iowa averages −5% against national midpoints. Detached garage is highest at −5% and home addition lowest at −6%.

ProjectSizeIowa rangeUS midpoint
Detached garage cost in Iowa576 sq ft$27,600 – $55,400$43,500
Home addition cost in Iowa300 sq ft$35,900 – $72,700$57,500

Doors & windows in Iowa

The 5 jobs here average −5% versus the US in Iowa, from −5% (front door) to −4% (patio door).

ProjectSizeIowa rangeUS midpoint
Garage door cost in Iowa1 door$670 – $3,500$2,200
Storm door cost in Iowa1 door$330 – $900$650
Front door cost in Iowa1 door$480 – $2,350$1,500
Window replacement cost in Iowa10 windows$4,300 – $14,300$9,750
Patio door cost in Iowa1 door$570 – $5,750$3,300

Fencing in Iowa

The 4 jobs here average −4% versus the US in Iowa, from −5% (vinyl fence) to −3% (chain-link fence).

ProjectSizeIowa rangeUS midpoint
Wood fence cost in Iowa150 linear ft$2,900 – $7,300$5,350
Vinyl fence cost in Iowa150 linear ft$4,300 – $8,700$6,850
Chain-link fence cost in Iowa150 linear ft$1,500 – $6,000$3,850
Aluminum fence cost in Iowa150 linear ft$3,650 – $10,900$7,600

Roofing & exterior in Iowa

The 5 jobs here average −5% versus the US in Iowa, from −9% (roof replacement) to level (attic insulation).

ProjectSizeIowa rangeUS midpoint
Roof replacement cost in Iowa2,000 sq ft of roof$5,550 – $11,400$9,300
Metal roof cost in Iowa2,000 sq ft of roof$9,450 – $30,400$21,300
Gutters cost in Iowa160 linear ft$1,250 – $4,000$2,750
Vinyl siding cost in Iowa2,100 sq ft of wall$8,100 – $24,300$16,800
Attic insulation cost in Iowa1,000 sq ft$1,050 – $4,000$2,500

Kitchen & bath in Iowa

Across these 5 projects, Iowa averages −5% against national midpoints. Shower pan is highest at −4% and kitchen remodel lowest at −6%.

ProjectSizeIowa rangeUS midpoint
Kitchen cabinets cost in Iowa25 linear ft$4,000 – $13,200$9,150
Shower pan cost in Iowa1 pan$910 – $2,650$1,850
Kitchen remodel cost in Iowa120 sq ft$17,400 – $29,600$25,000
Bathroom remodel cost in Iowa45 sq ft$4,450 – $22,200$14,000
Kitchen backsplash cost in Iowa30 sq ft$290 – $1,450$900

Landscaping & drainage in Iowa

Across these 5 projects, Iowa averages −2% against national midpoints. Retaining wall is highest at level and sod installation lowest at −4%.

ProjectSizeIowa rangeUS midpoint
French drain cost in Iowa60 linear ft$590 – $2,100$1,350
Retaining wall cost in Iowa200 sq ft of wall face$7,150 – $13,300$10,300
Sod installation cost in Iowa1,500 sq ft$1,450 – $3,150$2,400
Sprinkler system cost in Iowa4,000 sq ft of lawn$3,900 – $9,750$7,000
Inground pool cost in Iowa450 sq ft$35,700 – $111,500$74,500

Flooring & interior in Iowa

The 3 jobs here average −5% versus the US in Iowa, from −5% (hardwood flooring) to −4% (tile flooring).

ProjectSizeIowa rangeUS midpoint
Hardwood flooring cost in Iowa500 sq ft$5,200 – $11,800$9,000
Laminate flooring cost in Iowa500 sq ft$1,900 – $6,650$4,500
Tile flooring cost in Iowa200 sq ft$2,350 – $9,500$6,200