Carpet is still the budget-friendly, comfortable choice for bedrooms and family rooms. Installation costs $2 to $8 per square foot in 2026 — about $700 to $2,500 for a typical room — with carpet grade and padding driving most of the difference.
What you’re paying for
The all-in price covers the carpet, the padding underneath, labor, and usually removing and hauling the old carpet. Each of those is sometimes quoted separately, so the headline “per square foot” number can be misleading until you ask what’s included.
Grade is the big lever
Builder-grade polyester is cheap but wears fast. Nylon is the durable, popular middle. Triexta adds stain resistance, and wool is the premium, natural option at the top of the range.
Don’t skip the padding
Good padding costs only a little more but makes carpet feel softer and last years longer. It’s the cheapest upgrade in the whole job.
How to save on carpet installation
- Get an all-in quote including padding and removal.
- Buy mid-grade nylon for the best durability per dollar.
- Measure carefully to avoid paying for excess material and seams.
- Bundle multiple rooms in one visit to cut the per-room labor.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet material | $1 – $5 / sq ft | – |
| Padding / underlayment | $0.30 – $1 / sq ft | – |
| Installation labor | $0.50 – $1.50 / sq ft | – |
| Old carpet removal & disposal | $0.25 – $1 / sq ft | – |
| Stairs | $3 – $12 / step | – |
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Olefin / polyester (builder) | $2 – $4 / sq ft | Budget; shorter life |
| Nylon | $3 – $6 / sq ft | Durable, most popular |
| Triexta (SmartStrand) | $4 – $7 / sq ft | Stain-resistant |
| Wool | $6 – $14 / sq ft | Premium, natural |
What affects the price
- Carpet grade & fiber Builder-grade polyester is cheapest; nylon and triexta cost more and last longer; wool is the premium tier.
- Padding quality Better padding costs a little more but extends carpet life and feels noticeably softer underfoot.
- Room size & shape Priced per square foot; lots of corners, closets, and seams slow installation.
- Stairs Each step is charged separately because it takes extra cutting and tucking.
- Removal & subfloor Tearing out old carpet, plus any subfloor repair, adds to the base price.
Carpet installation cost by state
Where you live can change the price as much as the options you pick. Labor is a big part of the bill, and construction workers are paid more in some states than others. A typical carpet installation job costs about $2.35 to $9.35 per sq ft in Hawaii (17% above the U.S. average). In Arkansas, it costs about $1.70 to $6.80 per sq ft (15% below the U.S. average).
See the typical cost in all 50 states and D.C.
| State | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $1.75 – $6.95/sq ft |
| Alaska | $2.30 – $9.20/sq ft |
| Arizona | $1.90 – $7.60/sq ft |
| Arkansas | $1.70 – $6.80/sq ft |
| California | $2.25 – $8.95/sq ft |
| Colorado | $2 – $8/sq ft |
| Connecticut | $2.15 – $8.55/sq ft |
| Delaware | $1.95 – $7.85/sq ft |
| District of Columbia | $2.15 – $8.65/sq ft |
| Florida | $1.80 – $7.30/sq ft |
| Georgia | $1.85 – $7.35/sq ft |
| Hawaii | $2.35 – $9.35/sq ft |
| Idaho | $1.90 – $7.50/sq ft |
| Illinois | $2.30 – $9.20/sq ft |
| Indiana | $2 – $8.10/sq ft |
| Iowa | $1.95 – $7.75/sq ft |
| Kansas | $1.90 – $7.60/sq ft |
| Kentucky | $1.85 – $7.45/sq ft |
| Louisiana | $1.80 – $7.20/sq ft |
| Maine | $1.95 – $7.85/sq ft |
| Maryland | $2 – $8/sq ft |
| Massachusetts | $2.30 – $9.20/sq ft |
| Michigan | $2 – $8/sq ft |
| Minnesota | $2.20 – $8.70/sq ft |
| Mississippi | $1.75 – $6.95/sq ft |
| Missouri | $2.05 – $8.15/sq ft |
| Montana | $1.95 – $7.85/sq ft |
| Nebraska | $1.90 – $7.50/sq ft |
| Nevada | $2.05 – $8.25/sq ft |
| New Hampshire | $2 – $7.90/sq ft |
| New Jersey | $2.30 – $9.10/sq ft |
| New Mexico | $1.85 – $7.35/sq ft |
| New York | $2.20 – $8.80/sq ft |
| North Carolina | $1.80 – $7.20/sq ft |
| North Dakota | $2 – $8.10/sq ft |
| Ohio | $2 – $8/sq ft |
| Oklahoma | $1.80 – $7.30/sq ft |
| Oregon | $2.20 – $8.80/sq ft |
| Pennsylvania | $2 – $8.10/sq ft |
| Rhode Island | $2.10 – $8.30/sq ft |
| South Carolina | $1.80 – $7.30/sq ft |
| South Dakota | $1.80 – $7.20/sq ft |
| Tennessee | $1.85 – $7.35/sq ft |
| Texas | $1.80 – $7.30/sq ft |
| Utah | $1.90 – $7.50/sq ft |
| Vermont | $1.95 – $7.75/sq ft |
| Virginia | $1.90 – $7.60/sq ft |
| Washington | $2.30 – $9.30/sq ft |
| West Virginia | $1.90 – $7.60/sq ft |
| Wisconsin | $2.10 – $8.30/sq ft |
| Wyoming | $2 – $7.90/sq ft |
These are numbers to plan with, not quotes. Each one is this guide's U.S. range, adjusted for what construction workers earn in that state. See every state cost guide or how we estimate.
Common questions
- How much does it cost to carpet a room?
- A typical 12x15 ft room (180 sq ft) runs about $700–$1,500 installed, including padding and labor. Larger rooms or premium carpet push higher; the all-in rate is usually $2–$8 per square foot.
- Does carpet installation include padding and removal?
- Not always. Some quotes are carpet-and-labor only, with padding ($0.30–$1/sq ft) and old-carpet removal ($0.25–$1/sq ft) added separately. Ask for an all-in price so you're comparing the same scope.
- Which carpet is most durable?
- Nylon is the most durable mainstream fiber and resists matting well. Triexta adds built-in stain resistance. Polyester and olefin are cheaper but wear faster in high-traffic areas.
- How much extra do stairs cost?
- Expect $3–$12 per step on top of the room rate, since stairs require extra cutting, tucking, and labor. A standard staircase can add $50–$150.
- How long does carpet last?
- Builder-grade carpet lasts about 5 years; mid-grade nylon 10–15; wool and premium fibers 15–20 with good care. Padding and vacuuming habits make a big difference.
How we estimate: These are typical U.S. prices for materials and for hiring a pro to install them. We checked them against the 2026 sources listed below (see how we get our numbers). Your price depends on where you live, the size of the job and the materials you pick. Get two or three written bids before you choose a contractor.
Sources
We checked the prices on this page against 2026 numbers from these sources: