Drywall Cost Calculator (2026)

Drywall Cost Calculator

Estimate drywall cost in the United States. See low, average, and high costs, cost per sqft, material, labor, permits, timeline, FAQs, and related calculators.

Short answer

$2,142–$8,467

Average near $4,084 · about 1–4 weeks.

Material + labor Permit aware Local multiplier

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Drywall Cost Calculator: what to expect

Drywall pricing splits between new installation and repair, and the finishing level (taping and texture) often costs as much as hanging the board. Ceilings and high walls cost more per square foot than standard walls.

Across the United States, a drywall cost averages $4,084 once mid-range materials, licensed labor, and standard permits are included. The figures below are a national baseline; pick your state or city to apply local labor rates, material delivery costs, and permit fees.

Cost summary

Low estimate	$2,142
Average estimate	$4,084
High estimate	$8,467
Cost per sqft	$2 - $8
Timeline	1-4 weeks

Where the money goes

For a typical drywall cost, the average $4,084 estimate splits into roughly $1,677 of materials, $1,604 of labor, and no permit cost when none is required.

Material cost	$1,677
Labor cost	$1,604
Permit cost	$0

What a drywall cost includes

Hanging board and fasteners
Taping, mudding, and sanding to a finish level
Texture or smooth-finish application
Corner bead and trim prep for paint

What drives the cost the most

Finish level (from fire-tape to Level 5 smooth) drives labor.
Ceilings and tall walls cost more than standard wall area.
Repairs and patches cost more per square foot than open new installs.
Texture matching on repairs is slow, skilled work.

Budget, standard, and high-end scopes

The $2,142–$8,467 range maps to three common levels of finish:

Scope	Roughly	What it covers
Patch/repair	$2,142	Holes, water damage, or small sections — high per-foot cost.
Standard hang & finish	$4,084	New board, taped and ready for paint.
Level 5 smooth	$8,467	Premium smooth finish for raking light or gloss paint.

How to save on a drywall cost

Bundle multiple repairs into one visit to cover minimums efficiently.
Standard orange-peel or knockdown texture is cheaper than smooth Level 5.
Buy 12-foot sheets where access allows to reduce seams and taping.

How this estimate is calculated

We start from a base cost-per-sqft for drywall cost and adjust it for finish quality, labor complexity, waste, and equipment, then apply national baseline indices. The figures update with the cost data and reflect mid-range, licensed-contractor pricing, not a binding quote.

Drywall Cost cost by city and state

The same drywall cost costs more in high-wage metros and less in lower-cost markets. Below are typical 2026 ranges for major US cities, plus the highest- and lowest-cost states, all built from the national baseline of $2,142–$8,467 adjusted by local labor, material, and permit indices.

Cost in major US cities

City	Typical range	vs US avg
New York, NY	$3,324–$13,525	+55%
Los Angeles, CA	$3,154–$12,850	+47%
Chicago, IL	$2,402–$9,725	+12%
Houston, TX	$2,162–$8,547	+1%
Phoenix, AZ	$2,204–$8,716	+3%
Dallas, TX	$2,226–$8,801	+4%
Miami, FL	$2,458–$9,725	+15%
Atlanta, GA	$2,181–$8,628	+2%
Seattle, WA	$2,869–$11,501	+34%
Denver, CO	$2,548–$10,152	+19%
Boston, MA	$2,913–$11,672	+36%
Austin, TX	$2,398–$9,479	+12%

Highest- and lowest-cost states

State	Typical range	vs US avg
Hawaii	$3,153–$12,494	+48%
California	$3,048–$12,508	+42%
New York	$2,875–$11,669	+34%
Arkansas	$1,838–$7,273	−14%
West Virginia	$1,838–$7,273	−14%
Mississippi	$1,796–$7,105	−16%

We estimate drywall cost costs across all 50 states and 30 metro areas. Compare costs by state or costs by city.

Questions homeowners ask first

How much does a drywall cost cost in the United States?

In the United States, a drywall cost typically runs $2,142 to $8,467, averaging $4,084. That assumes mid-range materials and a licensed contractor; budget finishes trend toward the low end and luxury scopes toward the high end.

What is the cost per sqft for a drywall cost in the United States?

Expect roughly $2 to $8 per sqft in the United States. Multiply by your actual sqft count and add $0 in permits to size your own budget.

What drives the cost of a drywall cost the most?

Finish level (from fire-tape to Level 5 smooth) drives labor. Ceilings and tall walls cost more than standard wall area.

How long does a drywall cost take in the United States?

Most drywall cost projects run 1 to 4 weeks. Permit review, material lead times, and contractor scheduling are the usual reasons a timeline stretches.

How much of a drywall cost is labor vs. materials?

On an average $4,084 drywall cost in the United States, expect roughly $1,677 in materials and $1,604 in labor — labor is about 49% of the total. Labor share climbs in high-wage metros and on complex or structural work.

What is the difference between a budget and high-end drywall cost?

A budget drywall cost near $2,142 covers holes, water damage, or small sections — high per-foot cost. A high-end scope near $8,467 covers premium smooth finish for raking light or gloss paint.

How can I save money on a drywall cost?

Bundle multiple repairs into one visit to cover minimums efficiently. Standard orange-peel or knockdown texture is cheaper than smooth Level 5. Getting three local bids is the single biggest lever — pricing on the same drywall cost scope can vary 20-30% between contractors.

Still comparing drywall cost numbers?

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Drywall Cost Calculator