How much does a new roof cost?
A new asphalt shingle roof on a typical 2,000-square-foot home costs about $7,000 to $17,000 in 2026 (averaging roughly $14,000), or about $3.50 to $8.00 per square foot installed. Metal roofs run far higher at roughly $8 to $14 per square foot, often $40,000 or more for the same home.
Cost breakdown
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3-tab asphalt shingles | $3.43 - $5.00 / sq ft | Most basic and affordable option; shorter lifespan |
| Architectural asphalt shingles | $5.50 - $8.00 / sq ft | Thicker, more durable, most popular choice today |
| Metal roof (steel/standing seam) | $8 - $14 / sq ft | 2-3x the cost of shingles; lasts 40-70+ years |
| Average shingle roof (2,000 sq ft home) | $7,000 - $17,000 | National average around $14,000 installed |
| Average metal roof (2,000 sq ft home) | ~$40,000 - $54,000 | Higher upfront cost, longer service life |
| Per roofing square (100 sq ft) | $350 - $800 | Roofers price in 'squares'; asphalt at the lower end |
Cost by material and size
Asphalt shingles are the default choice for most U.S. homes and the cheapest to install. Basic 3-tab shingles run about $3.43 to $5.00 per square foot installed, while thicker architectural (dimensional) shingles run about $5.50 to $8.00 per square foot. On a standard 2,000-square-foot roof, that puts a full replacement at roughly $7,000 to $17,000, with the national average landing near $14,000.
Roofers usually price work by the 'square,' a 10x10 area equal to 100 square feet. Expect roughly $350 to $800 per square for asphalt, depending on shingle grade and local labor rates. Knowing your roof's square footage is the first step to comparing quotes accurately.
Metal and premium materials
Metal roofing costs significantly more upfront, typically $8 to $14 per square foot, which works out to roughly $40,000 to $54,000 on a 2,000-square-foot home, or about two to three times the cost of asphalt. The trade-off is longevity: metal can last 40 to 70 years or more, versus 15 to 30 years for shingles.
Other premium options such as tile, slate, and cedar shake cost even more and may require extra structural support. For most homeowners, the choice comes down to how long they plan to stay in the home and whether the longer lifespan justifies the higher initial price.
What drives the price
Beyond material, the biggest cost drivers are roof size, pitch (steeper roofs are more dangerous and slower to work on), and complexity such as valleys, dormers, chimneys, and skylights. Tearing off and disposing of old layers also adds labor and dump fees.
Location matters too, since labor rates and permit costs vary widely by region. Other line items include underlayment, flashing, ridge vents, and any deck repair found once the old roof is removed. Always get an itemized written estimate so you can compare quotes on equal terms.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a new roof cost on average?
- A typical asphalt shingle roof on a 2,000-square-foot home averages about $14,000 in 2026, with most projects falling between $7,000 and $17,000.
- Is a metal roof worth the extra cost?
- Metal costs two to three times more than shingles upfront but can last 40 to 70+ years, so it can pay off for homeowners staying long term or wanting lower lifetime maintenance.
- What is a roofing 'square'?
- A square equals 100 square feet of roof area. Roofers quote materials and labor per square, typically $350 to $800 per square for asphalt shingles.
Researched and edited by Calvin Lauderdale, Lead Researcher & Editor. Figures on this page were verified against the sources above as of June 23, 2026.