Home project costs in Columbus, OH
Every project we cover, priced for the Columbus metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
The BEA price index for the Columbus area is 95.5 against 100 for the US, which puts Columbus 143rd among 300 metros we track. Goods prices, which matter most for materials, are at 93.6. BLS counts roughly 1,105,580 jobs here.
In Columbus, 25 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 12 below, and 1 is level with it. The biggest premiums are attic insulation (+16%), French drain (+14%) and gravel driveway (+12%); the biggest discounts are kitchen backsplash (−9%), tile flooring (−7%) and shower pan (−7%). 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 (Columbus Port Columbus Intl Ap, 6 miles away) shows a January average low of 22°F, a July average high of 85°F and 42 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 Columbus
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $22.96 | $29.11 | $37.18 | $22.66 | 1.28 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $27.61 | $31.96 | $37.69 | $29.12 | 1.10 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $29.83 | $37.96 | $46.05 | $28.78 | 1.32 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $23.72 | $30.41 | $41.05 | $30.67 | 0.99 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $24.42 | $31.21 | $37.19 | $27.41 | 1.14 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $24.19 | $31.11 | $38.45 | $30.38 | 1.02 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | $21.02 | $22.62 | $27.69 | $26.77 | 0.84 |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $22.33 | $23.76 | $30.02 | $26.65 | 0.89 |
Concrete & paving in Columbus
The 7 jobs here average +8% versus the US in Columbus, from +5% (concrete slab) to +12% (gravel driveway).
| Project | Size | Columbus range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in Columbus | 400 sq ft | $2,600 – $5,400 | +5% |
| Concrete driveway cost in Columbus | 600 sq ft | $4,000 – $10,300 | +12% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in Columbus | 600 sq ft | $3,200 – $7,950 | +6% |
| Gravel driveway cost in Columbus | 1,000 sq ft | $2,800 – $11,400 | +12% |
| Paver patio cost in Columbus | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $5,950 | +9% |
| Concrete patio cost in Columbus | 300 sq ft | $1,300 – $4,350 | +7% |
| Stamped concrete cost in Columbus | 400 sq ft | $3,400 – $8,500 | +6% |
Decks & outdoor in Columbus
The 2 jobs here average +4% versus the US in Columbus, from +2% (wood deck) to +5% (composite deck).
| Project | Size | Columbus range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in Columbus | 300 sq ft | $7,750 – $15,500 | +2% |
| Composite deck cost in Columbus | 300 sq ft | $12,700 – $25,500 | +5% |
Building & additions in Columbus
Across these 2 projects, Columbus averages +2% against national midpoints. Detached garage is highest at +2% and home addition lowest at +2%.
| Project | Size | Columbus range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in Columbus | 576 sq ft | $29,700 – $59,500 | +2% |
| Home addition cost in Columbus | 300 sq ft | $38,900 – $78,700 | +2% |
Doors & windows in Columbus
The 5 jobs here average −1% versus the US in Columbus, from −2% (window replacement) to +1% (patio door).
| Project | Size | Columbus range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in Columbus | 1 door | $700 – $3,600 | −2% |
| Storm door cost in Columbus | 1 door | $350 – $940 | level |
| Front door cost in Columbus | 1 door | $520 – $2,400 | −2% |
| Window replacement cost in Columbus | 10 windows | $4,450 – $14,600 | −2% |
| Patio door cost in Columbus | 1 door | $590 – $6,050 | +1% |
Fencing in Columbus
The 4 jobs here average +4% versus the US in Columbus, from −1% (vinyl fence) to +10% (chain-link fence).
| Project | Size | Columbus range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in Columbus | 150 linear ft | $3,200 – $7,850 | +4% |
| Vinyl fence cost in Columbus | 150 linear ft | $4,450 – $9,150 | −1% |
| Chain-link fence cost in Columbus | 150 linear ft | $1,600 – $6,850 | +10% |
| Aluminum fence cost in Columbus | 150 linear ft | $3,950 – $11,700 | +3% |
Roofing & exterior in Columbus
The 5 jobs here average +3% versus the US in Columbus, from −5% (roof replacement) to +16% (attic insulation).
| Project | Size | Columbus range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in Columbus | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,800 – $11,800 | −5% |
| Metal roof cost in Columbus | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $10,000 – $31,500 | −3% |
| Gutters cost in Columbus | 160 linear ft | $1,350 – $4,250 | +2% |
| Vinyl siding cost in Columbus | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,850 – $26,500 | +5% |
| Attic insulation cost in Columbus | 1,000 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,550 | +16% |
Kitchen & bath in Columbus
Across these 5 projects, Columbus averages −5% against national midpoints. Kitchen cabinets is highest at +1% and kitchen backsplash lowest at −9%.
| Project | Size | Columbus range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in Columbus | 25 linear ft | $4,150 – $14,200 | +1% |
| Shower pan cost in Columbus | 1 pan | $860 – $2,600 | −7% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in Columbus | 120 sq ft | $17,700 – $30,200 | −4% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in Columbus | 45 sq ft | $4,550 – $22,600 | −3% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in Columbus | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,350 | −9% |
Landscaping & drainage in Columbus
Across these 5 projects, Columbus averages +7% against national midpoints. French drain is highest at +14% and sod installation lowest at −1%.
| Project | Size | Columbus range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in Columbus | 60 linear ft | $680 – $2,400 | +14% |
| Retaining wall cost in Columbus | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,900 – $14,200 | +8% |
| Sod installation cost in Columbus | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,250 | −1% |
| Sprinkler system cost in Columbus | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,250 – $10,600 | +6% |
| Inground pool cost in Columbus | 450 sq ft | $39,600 – $123,500 | +10% |
Flooring & interior in Columbus
The 3 jobs here average level versus the US in Columbus, from −7% (tile flooring) to +6% (laminate flooring).
| Project | Size | Columbus range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in Columbus | 500 sq ft | $5,600 – $12,600 | +1% |
| Laminate flooring cost in Columbus | 500 sq ft | $2,150 – $7,350 | +6% |
| Tile flooring cost in Columbus | 200 sq ft | $2,200 – $9,300 | −7% |
Columbus against its nearest metros
Averaged over all 38 projects, Columbus prices +3% against the US midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, none price higher and 6 lower. Huntington is the lowest at −6% (110 miles) and Akron the highest at roughly level (115 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OHthis page | 95.5 | 93.6 | +3% | |
| Dayton, OH | 70 miles | 92.7 | 93.6 | −2% |
| Canton, OH | 100 miles | 89.4 | 93.6 | −2% |
| Wheeling, WV | 105 miles | 88.3 | 96.4 | −5% |
| Cincinnati, OH | 105 miles | 95.4 | 93.8 | −1% |
| Huntington, WV | 110 miles | 88.4 | 96.3 | −6% |
| Akron, OH | 115 miles | 93.4 | 93.6 | level |