More Bathroom Remodeling: Bathroom Remodel ·Toilet Installation
A walk-in shower is one of the most popular bathroom upgrades — open, modern, and easier to use than a tub. Installed, it costs $4,500 to $15,000 in 2026, averaging around $9,000, with the choice between prefab and custom tile driving most of the range.
What you’re paying for
The base, walls, glass enclosure, fixtures, and labor make up the cost. Glass and tile are the big line items, and labor runs 40–60% of the total because tile setting and waterproofing are skilled work. A prefab kit collapses several of those into one affordable unit.
Cost by type
The table below shows typical installed pricing from a prefab kit to a custom build.
Prefab vs. custom tile
A prefab acrylic or fiberglass shower ($4,000–$7,000) installs fast, seals reliably, and is easy to clean — the value choice. Custom tile ($8,000–$14,000+) offers any look you want and a premium feel, but costs more in materials and skilled labor and has more grout to maintain. Your budget and how long you’ll stay decide it.
The popular move: tub-to-shower
Converting an underused tub to a walk-in shower ($6,000–$12,000) is one of the most-requested bathroom projects — it opens up the space and improves accessibility. Keeping the existing drain and plumbing location is what keeps the conversion affordable. For a whole-room redo, see our bathroom remodel guide.
How to save on a walk-in shower
- Choose a prefab base or full kit over fully custom tile.
- Keep the plumbing in place to avoid expensive reroutes.
- Limit tile to a feature wall and use a solid surround elsewhere.
- Pick a framed door over frameless glass to save significantly.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shower base / pan | $300 – $2,000 | – |
| Walls (tile or surround) | $800 – $5,000 | – |
| Glass enclosure / door | $500 – $4,000 | – |
| Fixtures & valve | $400 – $2,500 | – |
| Labor & plumbing | $2,000 – $6,000 | – |
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prefab kit (acrylic / fiberglass) | $4,000 – $7,000 | – |
| Mid-range tile | $8,000 – $14,000 | – |
| Custom (frameless glass, stone) | $14,000 – $20,000+ | – |
| Tub-to-shower conversion | $6,000 – $12,000 | – |
What affects the price
- Prefab vs. tile A prefab acrylic kit is fast and cheap; custom tile is labor-intensive and costs far more.
- Glass enclosure Frameless glass costs much more than a framed door or a curtain.
- Size & layout Larger showers and moving the drain or plumbing add cost.
- Fixtures & finishes Rain heads, body sprays, niches, and benches raise the price.
- Curbless / accessibility A curbless (zero-threshold) shower needs floor reframing and waterproofing, adding cost.
Walk in shower 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 walk in shower job costs about $5,300 to $17,600 in Hawaii (17% above the U.S. average). In Arkansas, it costs about $3,800 to $12,800 (15% below the U.S. average).
See the typical cost in all 50 states and D.C.
| State | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $3,900 – $13,100 |
| Alaska | $5,200 – $17,300 |
| Arizona | $4,300 – $14,300 |
| Arkansas | $3,800 – $12,800 |
| California | $5,000 – $16,800 |
| Colorado | $4,500 – $15,000 |
| Connecticut | $4,800 – $16,100 |
| Delaware | $4,400 – $14,700 |
| District of Columbia | $4,900 – $16,200 |
| Florida | $4,100 – $13,700 |
| Georgia | $4,100 – $13,800 |
| Hawaii | $5,300 – $17,600 |
| Idaho | $4,200 – $14,100 |
| Illinois | $5,200 – $17,300 |
| Indiana | $4,500 – $15,200 |
| Iowa | $4,400 – $14,600 |
| Kansas | $4,300 – $14,300 |
| Kentucky | $4,200 – $14,000 |
| Louisiana | $4,100 – $13,500 |
| Maine | $4,400 – $14,700 |
| Maryland | $4,500 – $15,000 |
| Massachusetts | $5,200 – $17,300 |
| Michigan | $4,500 – $15,000 |
| Minnesota | $4,900 – $16,400 |
| Mississippi | $3,900 – $13,100 |
| Missouri | $4,600 – $15,300 |
| Montana | $4,400 – $14,700 |
| Nebraska | $4,200 – $14,100 |
| Nevada | $4,600 – $15,500 |
| New Hampshire | $4,500 – $14,900 |
| New Jersey | $5,100 – $17,100 |
| New Mexico | $4,100 – $13,800 |
| New York | $5,000 – $16,500 |
| North Carolina | $4,100 – $13,500 |
| North Dakota | $4,500 – $15,200 |
| Ohio | $4,500 – $15,000 |
| Oklahoma | $4,100 – $13,700 |
| Oregon | $5,000 – $16,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $4,500 – $15,200 |
| Rhode Island | $4,700 – $15,600 |
| South Carolina | $4,100 – $13,700 |
| South Dakota | $4,100 – $13,500 |
| Tennessee | $4,100 – $13,800 |
| Texas | $4,100 – $13,700 |
| Utah | $4,200 – $14,100 |
| Vermont | $4,400 – $14,600 |
| Virginia | $4,300 – $14,300 |
| Washington | $5,200 – $17,400 |
| West Virginia | $4,300 – $14,300 |
| Wisconsin | $4,700 – $15,600 |
| Wyoming | $4,500 – $14,900 |
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 a walk-in shower cost?
- Most walk-in showers run $4,500–$15,000 installed, averaging about $9,000. Prefab kits are $4,000–$7,000; custom tile-and-glass showers reach $14,000–$20,000+.
- Prefab vs. tile shower — which is cheaper?
- A prefab acrylic or fiberglass kit is far cheaper and faster to install. Custom tile costs more for materials and skilled labor but offers unlimited design and a higher-end look.
- How much is a tub-to-shower conversion?
- Converting a tub to a walk-in shower runs $6,000–$12,000 when the plumbing stays in place — popular for accessibility and a more open bathroom.
- What's the most expensive part?
- Custom tile work and a frameless glass enclosure, followed by labor (40–60% of the total). Keeping the layout and using a prefab base controls cost.
- Does a walk-in shower add value?
- Yes — walk-in showers are in demand, and replacing a dated tub/shower modernizes the bathroom and helps a home show well, especially in primary baths.
- Is a curbless shower more expensive?
- Yes — a zero-threshold (curbless) shower requires reframing and waterproofing the floor for proper drainage, adding to the cost, but it's the most accessible and modern option.
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: