Key takeaways
- National range: $6,600–$18,000 for a typical remodel.
- Cheapest states: Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama. Most expensive: Hawaii, California and Alaska.
- Biggest price driver: Layout changes — moving the toilet, shower or drain is the biggest cost jump.
- Best way to save: Keep plumbing where it is.
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in 2026?
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Typical bathroom remodel | $6,600–$18,000 | Mid-range finishes |
| Cosmetic refresh | Under $5,000 | Paint, vanity, fixtures, lighting |
| High-end primary bath | $80,000+ | Layout changes, custom tile, premium fixtures |
| Cost per square foot | $70–$250 | Higher for small baths with lots of tile |
| Demolition | $1,000–$2,300 | Removing tile, tub and vanity |
| Permits | $100–$1,000 | Varies by city and scope |
| Water damage repair found during demo | $3.75–$7 per sq ft | Subfloor and wall repair |
| Moving the floor plan | About $5,000 extra | Relocating toilet, shower or drain |
Bathroom Remodel Cost questions, answered
- What is the cost of typical bathroom remodel? The typical cost of typical bathroom remodel is $6,600–$18,000. Mid-range finishes.
- What is the cost of cosmetic refresh? The typical cost of cosmetic refresh is Under $5,000. Paint, vanity, fixtures, lighting.
- What is the cost of high-end primary bath? The typical cost of high-end primary bath is $80,000+. Layout changes, custom tile, premium fixtures.
- What is the cost of cost per square foot? The typical cost of cost per square foot is $70–$250. Higher for small baths with lots of tile.
- What is the cost of demolition? The typical cost of demolition is $1,000–$2,300. Removing tile, tub and vanity.
- What is the cost of permits? The typical cost of permits is $100–$1,000. Varies by city and scope.
- What is the cost of water damage repair found during demo? The typical cost of water damage repair found during demo is $3.75–$7 per sq ft. Subfloor and wall repair.
- What is the cost of moving the floor plan? The typical cost of moving the floor plan is About $5,000 extra. Relocating toilet, shower or drain.
What changes the price
- Layout changes — moving the toilet, shower or drain is the biggest cost jump.
- Tile work — large tile showers and heated floors add labor.
- Fixtures — vanities, faucets and shower systems vary widely.
- Hidden damage — leaks often rot subfloors behind old tubs and toilets.
- Bathroom size — small baths cost more per square foot because fixtures dominate the budget.
How to save without cutting corners
- Keep plumbing where it is.
- Refinish a solid tub instead of replacing it.
- Use tile as a feature on one wall instead of floor-to-ceiling everywhere.
- Choose stock vanities and prefabricated shower bases.
- Bundle bathroom work with other projects to save on trip and permit costs.
Bathroom Remodel Cost by state
Labor and material prices vary by region. These estimates apply each state's approximate cost index to the national range.
| State | Estimated range | vs. U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $5,700–$15,500 | 14% below |
| Alaska | $8,100–$22,000 | 22% above |
| Arizona | $6,100–$16,700 | 7% below |
| Arkansas | $5,600–$15,300 | 15% below |
| California | $8,100–$22,000 | 22% above |
| Colorado | $6,600–$18,000 | about average |
| Connecticut | $7,400–$20,200 | 12% above |
| Delaware | $6,900–$18,700 | 4% above |
| District of Columbia | $7,300–$19,800 | 10% above |
| Florida | $6,100–$16,600 | 8% below |
| Georgia | $5,900–$16,000 | 11% below |
| Hawaii | $8,600–$23,400 | 30% above |
| Idaho | $6,100–$16,600 | 8% below |
| Illinois | $7,300–$19,800 | 10% above |
| Indiana | $6,200–$16,900 | 6% below |
| Iowa | $6,100–$16,700 | 7% below |
| Kansas | $5,900–$16,200 | 10% below |
| Kentucky | $5,900–$16,200 | 10% below |
| Louisiana | $5,700–$15,700 | 13% below |
| Maine | $6,300–$17,100 | 5% below |
| Maryland | $6,600–$18,000 | about average |
| Massachusetts | $7,800–$21,200 | 18% above |
| Michigan | $6,500–$17,600 | 2% below |
| Minnesota | $7,000–$19,100 | 6% above |
| Mississippi | $5,600–$15,300 | 15% below |
| Missouri | $6,400–$17,500 | 3% below |
| Montana | $6,100–$16,700 | 7% below |
| Nebraska | $5,900–$16,200 | 10% below |
| Nevada | $6,800–$18,500 | 3% above |
| New Hampshire | $6,600–$18,000 | about average |
| New Jersey | $7,700–$21,100 | 17% above |
| New Mexico | $5,900–$16,000 | 11% below |
| New York | $7,900–$21,600 | 20% above |
| North Carolina | $5,700–$15,700 | 13% below |
| North Dakota | $6,100–$16,600 | 8% below |
| Ohio | $6,300–$17,100 | 5% below |
| Oklahoma | $5,700–$15,700 | 13% below |
| Oregon | $6,900–$18,900 | 5% above |
| Pennsylvania | $6,900–$18,700 | 4% above |
| Rhode Island | $7,300–$19,800 | 10% above |
| South Carolina | $5,700–$15,700 | 13% below |
| South Dakota | $5,800–$15,800 | 12% below |
| Tennessee | $5,900–$16,000 | 11% below |
| Texas | $5,900–$16,000 | 11% below |
| Utah | $6,100–$16,700 | 7% below |
| Vermont | $6,300–$17,300 | 4% below |
| Virginia | $6,200–$16,900 | 6% below |
| Washington | $7,100–$19,400 | 8% above |
| West Virginia | $6,100–$16,700 | 7% below |
| Wisconsin | $6,600–$18,000 | about average |
| Wyoming | $6,000–$16,400 | 9% below |
More bathroom remodeling questions
How much does a small bathroom remodel cost?
A typical bathroom remodel costs about $6,600–$18,000 with mid-range finishes. A cosmetic refresh with paint, a new vanity and fixtures can stay under $5,000.
How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost?
It varies widely: a prefab shower kit sits at the low end, while a custom tiled walk-in with glass costs much more. See our tub-to-shower conversion guide for details.
Can a bathroom be remodeled in a week?
A cosmetic update or a prefab tub-to-shower swap can be done in about a week. A full remodel with new tile and plumbing usually takes 2–4 weeks.
What is the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel?
Labor, custom tile showers, frameless glass and moving plumbing are the biggest costs. Keeping the toilet, tub and sink where they are saves the most money.
Does a bathroom remodel add value to a house?
It typically recoups part of its cost at resale, not all of it. Mid-range updates usually return a bigger share than luxury remodels.
Should I keep a bathtub for resale?
Many agents suggest keeping at least one tub in the home, especially for buyers with young children. Converting a second or primary bath tub to a shower is usually fine.
How do I prevent mold in a new bathroom?
Use a proper waterproofing membrane behind shower tile, vent the exhaust fan outdoors and run it 20 minutes after every shower.
What order is a bathroom remodel done in?
Demolition, plumbing and electrical rough-in, inspection, waterproofing, tile, then vanity, toilet, glass and fixtures.
Timeline, permits and DIY
How long it takes
A typical bathroom remodel takes 2–4 weeks. A tub-to-shower conversion can take about a week.
Permits
Moving plumbing, adding circuits or installing an exhaust fan usually needs a permit.
DIY or hire a pro?
Swapping a vanity, painting and replacing fixtures are DIY-friendly. Shower waterproofing, plumbing moves and electrical work are best left to pros.
Questions to ask contractors
Ask every bidder the same questions so you can compare quotes apples to apples.
- Which waterproofing system goes behind the shower tile?
- Will the exhaust fan vent outdoors, not into the attic?
- Who does the plumbing and electrical, and are they licensed?
- How long will the bathroom be out of service?
Maintenance that prevents costly repairs
- Run the exhaust fan for 20 minutes after showers
- Recaulk tubs and showers every 1–2 years
- Reseal grout once a year
Bathroom Remodel Cost FAQs
How much does a bathroom remodel cost?
Most bathroom remodels cost $6,600–$18,000. Cosmetic refreshes can stay under $5,000, and luxury primary baths can top $80,000.
How much does a bathroom remodel cost per square foot?
Typically $70–$250 per square foot. Small bathrooms often cost more per square foot because fixtures and tile make up most of the budget.
What's the most expensive part of a bathroom remodel?
Labor — often 40%–65% of the total — followed by tile work, the shower or tub, and the vanity.
Can I remodel a bathroom for $5,000?
Yes, if you keep the layout and focus on paint, a new vanity, toilet, lighting, mirror and fixtures.
Bathroom Remodel Cost in popular cities
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Sources: NerdWallet — Bathroom remodel cost (2026). Ranges are rounded estimates; see our editorial policy.