Roof replacement cost in California
A new 2,000 sq ft asphalt roof in California costs about $11,389, about 10% above the U.S. typical price, because roofers there earn $32.41 an hour on average versus $27.95 nationally (BLS, May 2025). Our estimate by size and material.
California roof prices by size and material
| Roof area | Asphalt | Wood shake | Metal | Clay tile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $5,695 | $14,514 | $21,302 | $24,514 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $8,542 | $21,771 | $31,953 | $36,770 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $11,389 | $29,028 | $42,604 | $49,027 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $14,237 | $36,285 | $53,255 | $61,284 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $17,084 | $43,542 | $63,905 | $73,541 |
Roof area, not floor area: a one-story 2,200 sq ft house has about 2,707 sq ft of roof. Our calculation: national rates per sq ft from This Old House (Homewyse data, Oct 2026) times California's cost factor of 1.10. Tear-off of an old roof adds about $2,319 to $3,479 for 2,000 sq ft (Inch Calculator's $100 to $150 a square, adjusted for California pay). A steep roof adds $1,000 to $3,000 and a permit up to $500 (NerdWallet).
How we adjust for California
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, roofers (47-2181), cross-industry mean hourly wage. California had about 21,190 roofers, with a median annual wage of $63,600. Materials are kept at national prices, so places where shingles cost more will run higher.
What did you pay in California?
Real prices from people who paid for a roof replacement. Share yours in 20 seconds, with no name, and help the next person know what is fair. We check every report by hand before it appears.
Middle price by state
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Lowest estimated cost
- Mississippi$8,836
- Arkansas$8,894
- Tennessee$9,004
- South Dakota$9,033
- Texas$9,057
Highest estimated cost
- Illinois$12,570
- New Jersey$12,193
- Massachusetts$12,032
- Minnesota$12,025
- New York$11,612
Common questions
How much does a new roof cost in California?
About $11,389 for 2,000 sq ft of asphalt shingles, or $5.69 per sq ft (our estimate). That is the national price from This Old House, $10,319, adjusted for roofer pay in California. Tear-off adds roughly $2,319 to $3,479.
Is replacing a roof cheaper in California than the U.S. average?
No, about 10% more expensive. Roofers in California earn a mean $32.41 an hour, against $27.95 for the U.S., per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). California ranks 42 of 51 from lowest to highest estimated cost.
How much does a metal roof cost in California?
About $42,604 for 2,000 sq ft, or $21.30 per sq ft (our estimate from This Old House's $19.30 national rate). Metal lasts 40 to 70 years, against 30 to 35 for asphalt.
How did you work out these prices?
Labor is about 65% of a roof replacement bill, per This Old House. We keep the materials part at the national price and scale the labor part by how California's mean roofer wage compares with the U.S. mean. That gives a factor of 1.10 for California. Real quotes also depend on your city, roof pitch and the season, so get at least three.
Work out your own roof with the calculator in the full guide: how much a new roof costs. While you plan, see home insurance in California, property tax in California and everything it costs to live in California.