Luxury vinyl plank — LVP — became the most popular floor in America for a reason: it’s waterproof, scratch-resistant, looks like wood, and many homeowners can install it themselves. It costs $3 to $10 per square foot installed in 2026, averaging around $6, or about $1,500 to $5,000 for a typical room.
What you’re paying for
The all-in rate covers the planks, underlayment, labor, and usually removing the old floor and prepping the subfloor. The plank itself is most of it, and the price tracks the wear layer and core more than the printed look.
Grade is the durability lever
A thicker wear layer (20 mil+) and a rigid SPC/WPC core are what separate a floor that lasts 25 years from one that dents in five. Budget LVP is fine for light-traffic rooms; busy households should step up.
LVP vs. laminate
Both are budget-friendly wood looks, but LVP is waterproof and laminate isn’t — which is why LVP wins in kitchens, baths, and basements despite a similar price.
How to save on vinyl plank flooring
- Buy a thicker wear layer for high-traffic areas — it outlasts cheap planks.
- DIY the click-lock install on a flat subfloor to skip labor.
- Prep the subfloor so planks lie flat and don’t fail early.
- Compare all-in quotes that include removal and underlayment.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl plank material | $2 – $7 / sq ft | – |
| Underlayment | $0.30 – $1 / sq ft | – |
| Installation labor | $1 – $3 / sq ft | – |
| Old floor removal | $0.50 – $2 / sq ft | – |
| Subfloor prep | $0.50 – $2 / sq ft | – |
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget LVP (6–12 mil wear) | $3 – $5 / sq ft | Light traffic |
| Mid-grade (12–20 mil) | $5 – $7 / sq ft | Most homes |
| Rigid core (SPC/WPC) | $6 – $9 / sq ft | Most durable, waterproof |
| Premium / wide plank | $8 – $12 / sq ft | – |
What affects the price
- Wear layer & thickness A thicker wear layer (measured in mils) resists scratches and dents — the biggest factor in how long LVP lasts.
- Core type Rigid SPC/WPC cores are more durable and fully waterproof than flexible glue-down planks, and cost more.
- Subfloor condition LVP needs a flat subfloor; leveling or repairs add to the base price.
- Install method Click-lock floating floors are DIY-friendly; glue-down planks take more labor.
- Removal & prep Tearing out old flooring and prepping the subfloor are common add-on line items.
Vinyl plank flooring 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 vinyl plank flooring job costs about $3.50 to $12 per sq ft in Hawaii (17% above the U.S. average). In Arkansas, it costs about $2.55 to $8.50 per sq ft (15% below the U.S. average).
See the typical cost in all 50 states and D.C.
| State | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $2.60 – $8.70/sq ft |
| Alaska | $3.45 – $12/sq ft |
| Arizona | $2.85 – $9.50/sq ft |
| Arkansas | $2.55 – $8.50/sq ft |
| California | $3.35 – $11/sq ft |
| Colorado | $3 – $10/sq ft |
| Connecticut | $3.20 – $11/sq ft |
| Delaware | $2.95 – $9.80/sq ft |
| District of Columbia | $3.25 – $11/sq ft |
| Florida | $2.75 – $9.10/sq ft |
| Georgia | $2.75 – $9.20/sq ft |
| Hawaii | $3.50 – $12/sq ft |
| Idaho | $2.80 – $9.40/sq ft |
| Illinois | $3.45 – $12/sq ft |
| Indiana | $3.05 – $10/sq ft |
| Iowa | $2.90 – $9.70/sq ft |
| Kansas | $2.85 – $9.50/sq ft |
| Kentucky | $2.80 – $9.30/sq ft |
| Louisiana | $2.70 – $9/sq ft |
| Maine | $2.95 – $9.80/sq ft |
| Maryland | $3 – $10/sq ft |
| Massachusetts | $3.45 – $12/sq ft |
| Michigan | $3 – $10/sq ft |
| Minnesota | $3.25 – $11/sq ft |
| Mississippi | $2.60 – $8.70/sq ft |
| Missouri | $3.05 – $10/sq ft |
| Montana | $2.95 – $9.80/sq ft |
| Nebraska | $2.80 – $9.40/sq ft |
| Nevada | $3.10 – $10/sq ft |
| New Hampshire | $2.95 – $9.90/sq ft |
| New Jersey | $3.40 – $11/sq ft |
| New Mexico | $2.75 – $9.20/sq ft |
| New York | $3.30 – $11/sq ft |
| North Carolina | $2.70 – $9/sq ft |
| North Dakota | $3.05 – $10/sq ft |
| Ohio | $3 – $10/sq ft |
| Oklahoma | $2.75 – $9.10/sq ft |
| Oregon | $3.30 – $11/sq ft |
| Pennsylvania | $3.05 – $10/sq ft |
| Rhode Island | $3.10 – $10/sq ft |
| South Carolina | $2.75 – $9.10/sq ft |
| South Dakota | $2.70 – $9/sq ft |
| Tennessee | $2.75 – $9.20/sq ft |
| Texas | $2.75 – $9.10/sq ft |
| Utah | $2.80 – $9.40/sq ft |
| Vermont | $2.90 – $9.70/sq ft |
| Virginia | $2.85 – $9.50/sq ft |
| Washington | $3.50 – $12/sq ft |
| West Virginia | $2.85 – $9.50/sq ft |
| Wisconsin | $3.10 – $10/sq ft |
| Wyoming | $2.95 – $9.90/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 install vinyl plank flooring?
- LVP runs $3–$10 per square foot installed, averaging about $6. A typical 500 sq ft room totals $1,500–$5,000 including material, underlayment, and labor.
- Is vinyl plank cheaper than laminate?
- They overlap. Budget LVP and laminate are similar ($3–$5/sq ft), but LVP is waterproof and laminate isn't — which is why LVP often wins despite a slightly higher mid-grade price.
- Is luxury vinyl plank waterproof?
- Most modern LVP, especially rigid-core SPC/WPC, is fully waterproof — a big reason it's popular in kitchens, baths, and basements. Cheaper flexible planks are water-resistant but not fully waterproof.
- Can I install LVP myself?
- Click-lock floating LVP is one of the more DIY-friendly floors — no glue, and it can go over many existing surfaces. Glue-down planks and uneven subfloors are where hiring a pro pays off.
- How long does vinyl plank flooring last?
- About 15–25 years depending on the wear layer and traffic. A thicker wear layer (20 mil+) and a rigid core hold up best in busy households.
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:
- Vinyl Plank Flooring Cost (2026), HomeGuide
- How Much Does Vinyl Plank Flooring Cost?, Angi
- Cost to Install Vinyl Plank Flooring, Bob Vila