True Cost Index
Roofing cost by city.
Roofing true cost benchmarks across 8 cities. Cost range, lowest realistic price, margin, and bid fairness inputs by city. Writing about costs? See the citeable asphalt shingle roof replacement cost data → Part of the 2026 Remodeling Cost Index.
Data verified Aug 2026 · v2026-08-19
How this number is calculated
TheFatBook models roofing from Craftsman labor hours, BLS regional wages, burden, PPI-adjusted materials, permit data where available, and contractor overhead benchmarks. Cost index version: 2026-08-19. Updated Aug 2026.
Data Sources Used On This Page
- Independent FatBook v3 cost index for Roofing cost index.
- BLS OEWS wage inputs (https://www.bls.gov/oes/) and FRED PPI material inflation (https://fred.stlouisfed.org/) references.
- Craftsman labor-hour references and contractor overhead benchmarks.
- Verified permit/source data from PermitCalculator.com and permits_compiled where available.
Cost-index version: 2026-08-19
Updated: Aug 2026
Sources: BLS, Craftsman, FRED, NRCA
Reviewed by: Leonard "Chuck" Thompson
Estimate Scope
What the roofing benchmark includes.
Included in the benchmark
- Asphalt Shingle Roof Replacement as the headline cost-index scope
- labor-hour assumptions, regional wage inputs, materials, overhead, and permit data where available
- low, average, high, lowest realistic price, margin, and savings benchmarks from the FatBook cost index
Not included automatically
- hidden damage, change orders, emergency service premiums, or unusual site access conditions
- contractor financing approval, warranties, provider recommendations, or guaranteed final quotes
- permit rulings for a specific address unless the city permit panel lists verified local data
| City | Range | Average | Low | High | Floor | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $13,629 | $12,041 | $15,339 | $12,041 | 20.6% | |
| Chicago | $17,748 | $15,852 | $19,789 | $15,852 | 18.9% | |
| Dallas | $13,580 | $11,981 | $15,303 | $11,981 | 20.8% | |
| Houston | $13,348 | $11,762 | $15,056 | $11,762 | 21% | |
| Los Angeles | $16,620 | $14,528 | $18,871 | $14,528 | 22.3% | |
| Miami | $13,610 | $12,290 | $15,030 | $12,290 | 17.1% | |
| New York | $20,064 | $17,551 | $22,771 | $17,551 | 22.2% | |
| Phoenix | $14,069 | $12,374 | $15,894 | $12,374 | 21.3% |
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Cost index built by David Olson, Creator of the Cost Index & Permit Dataset · Methodology reviewed by Leonard "Chuck" Thompson, LC Thompson Construction Co., Owner (retired) · 2026-08-19