How Much Does Tile Installation Cost in 2026?
By Michael JohnsonUpdated 8 sources comparedHow we estimate
Most homeowners pay $1,000 to $4,500 for professional tile installation, with an average of about $2,400 for a typical floor of 100 to 200 sq ft or a standard shower. A ceramic or porcelain floor usually runs $9 to $18 per square foot installed. The tile you pick, where it goes (floor, shower or backsplash), the layout pattern and the condition of what's underneath drive most of the difference.
- Typical cost
- $1,000–$4,500
- National average
- $2,400
- Full range
- $400–$17,500
The typical range covers professional installation of ceramic or porcelain tile on roughly 100–200 sq ft of floor, or a standard shower surround, including labor, setting materials and grout; the national low is a small bathroom floor and the national high is about 350 sq ft of premium tile. Prices are per project, installed (about 100–200 sq ft of floor, or one shower).
Tile installation cost by tile type
The table compiles installed prices (tile, setting materials and labor) from five cost guides. The QuoteRuler range is where those sources overlap for a typical floor on a sound subfloor.
| Tile type | Installed cost per sq ft in sources | QuoteRuler typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | $4–$22 (Fixr, 200 sq ft examples); $11–$39 (This Old House); $12–$40 (HomeGuide) | $8–$16 |
| Porcelain | $10–$22 (Fixr); $13–$48 (This Old House); $15–$50 (HomeGuide) | $10–$20 |
| Large-format porcelain (24 in. and up) | Labor alone $10–$12 (Fixr), tile $4–$60 (Angi) | $12–$23 |
| Natural stone (marble, slate, travertine) | Marble $15–$25 (Fixr); travertine $9–$32, granite $15–$30 (This Old House) | $16–$32 |
| Mosaic or glass | Mosaic $13–$57, glass $20–$100 (This Old House); glass $20–$100 (HomeGuide) | $20–$40 |
The averages disagree because the sources measure different jobs. HomeAdvisor ($1,763 for floors) and Angi ($1,900) report what their users paid, which skews toward small bathroom and kitchen floors. Fixr's $3,500 average is a full 200 sq ft porcelain floor. HomeGuide's $10–$50 per sq ft range and $6,000 average for 200 sq ft run well above everyone else, so we treat them as the upper bound rather than the norm. Our $2,400 average is the mean of the Angi, HomeAdvisor, Fixr and This Old House figures.
Estimate your cost
Enter the area you're tiling, then choose the tile, the surface and the layout. Add old tile or flooring that has to come out first.
Ranges come from the sources listed at the end of this guide. The labor portion is adjusted for your state with BEA price data. Your final price depends on site conditions and local codes.
Floor vs. walls vs. shower vs. backsplash
Square-foot prices rise as the job gets smaller and more detailed.
| Surface | Typical cost | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| Floor | $9–$18 per sq ft | Size of room, subfloor prep, tile size |
| Walls or tub surround | About $2,000 for a 90 sq ft surround (HomeAdvisor) | More cuts, smaller tile, vertical setting |
| Shower | $3,504 average, $1,335–$5,005 (This Old House) | Waterproofing, niches, benches, drain slope |
| Kitchen backsplash | $15–$40 per sq ft; about $1,000 for 35 sq ft (Angi) | Small area, outlets, edges, minimum charges |
A backsplash looks cheap in total but is the most expensive surface per square foot. HomeAdvisor puts backsplash labor at $25 to $32 per sq ft, compared with $4 to $14 for floors. Every outlet, window edge and cabinet end needs a cut, and many installers have a minimum charge for small jobs.
Showers cost more because the tile is only the top layer. Behind it sits cement or foam backer board, a waterproof membrane and a sloped pan. This Old House puts shower tile labor at an average of $17.30 per sq ft, and Bob Vila estimates waterproofing alone at $450 to $750. If you're rebuilding the whole shower, our shower replacement cost guide covers the plumbing side.
Labor vs. materials
Tile is one of the more labor-heavy finishes in a house. Angi and This Old House put labor at $3 to $15 per sq ft, and installers who bill by the hour charge $30 to $120 (Angi, HomeAdvisor). Fixr prices labor by tile size: $7 to $9 per sq ft for 8–14 inch tile, $10 to $12 for large format and $12 to $14 for glass and mosaic.
In Fixr's 200 sq ft porcelain example, labor is $1,400 to $1,600 of a $3,500 average, about 40% to 46%. This Old House's shower figures put labor at $692 to $2,596 of a $1,335 to $5,005 job, a little over half. We use a labor share of 50% for state adjustments. Cheap ceramic on a simple floor sits below that. Mosaics and showers sit above it, because the materials are a small part of hours of detailed work.
Setting materials are modest. This Old House puts thinset and grout at about $1.37 per sq ft, and Bob Vila puts grout, sealants, adhesives and spacers at up to $6 per sq ft combined.
What drives tile installation cost up or down
- Tile size. Small tiles mean more grout lines and more cuts. Large-format tile cuts setting time per square foot, but Fixr still prices its labor higher ($10–$12) because heavy tiles need a very flat substrate and two people to set.
- Layout pattern. Fixr says any pattern other than a straight set adds 10% to 20%. This Old House prices herringbone or diagonal shower labor at $14.50–$16.50 per sq ft, versus $7–$15 for subway tile. Patterns also waste more tile: Fixr recommends buying 10% extra, plus another 10% to 20% for complex layouts.
- Removing the old floor. Tearing out existing tile runs $2 to $7 per sq ft (HomeGuide), or $1 to $5 per sq ft (Fixr). Tile set in a thick mortar bed sits at the top of that range.
- Backer board and underlayment. Tile over a wood subfloor needs cement backer board or an uncoupling membrane. HomeAdvisor and Bob Vila put backer board at $5 to $8 per sq ft, though Bob Vila notes it's usually included in the installer's labor price.
- Subfloor and leveling. This Old House says subfloor damage adds about $2 per sq ft. Angi's leveling range is $2 to $30 per sq ft, and resurfacing a concrete slab adds $3 to $10 (HomeAdvisor). A full subfloor replacement averages $1,500 to $1,650 (Fixr).
- Natural stone sealing. HomeGuide notes that stone usually needs sealing at install and again over time. Fixr includes the first sealing in its installation price, which is partly why stone costs more to install.
- Heated floors. Electric radiant heat under tile adds $7 to $17 per sq ft (HomeGuide), plus a dedicated circuit.
Tile installation cost by state
Tile setters' rates track local wages, so the same bathroom floor can cost noticeably more in a high-cost metro than in a rural county. The table starts from our national range, compiled from the sources above, and adjusts only the labor portion (50%) using the Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities for each state.
| State | Typical range | Average | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $950–$4,300 | $2,300 | -5.0% |
| Alaska | $1,000–$4,550 | $2,400 | +0.9% |
| Arizona | $1,000–$4,500 | $2,400 | +0.6% |
| Arkansas | $930–$4,200 | $2,250 | -6.8% |
| California | $1,050–$4,800 | $2,550 | +6.3% |
| Colorado | $1,000–$4,550 | $2,400 | +0.7% |
| Connecticut | $1,000–$4,600 | $2,450 | +1.8% |
| Delaware | $1,000–$4,500 | $2,400 | -0.4% |
| District of Columbia | $1,050–$4,750 | $2,550 | +5.4% |
| Florida | $1,000–$4,600 | $2,450 | +1.8% |
| Georgia | $980–$4,450 | $2,350 | -1.6% |
| Hawaii | $1,050–$4,700 | $2,500 | +4.3% |
| Idaho | $960–$4,300 | $2,300 | -4.3% |
| Illinois | $990–$4,500 | $2,400 | -0.5% |
| Indiana | $960–$4,300 | $2,300 | -3.9% |
| Iowa | $940–$4,250 | $2,250 | -5.6% |
| Kansas | $950–$4,300 | $2,300 | -5.0% |
| Kentucky | $950–$4,300 | $2,300 | -4.7% |
| Louisiana | $940–$4,250 | $2,250 | -5.8% |
| Maine | $990–$4,450 | $2,350 | -1.4% |
| Maryland | $1,000–$4,600 | $2,450 | +2.0% |
| Massachusetts | $1,050–$4,700 | $2,500 | +4.1% |
| Michigan | $970–$4,350 | $2,350 | -2.9% |
| Minnesota | $990–$4,450 | $2,400 | -0.8% |
| Mississippi | $940–$4,200 | $2,250 | -6.3% |
| Missouri | $960–$4,300 | $2,300 | -4.1% |
| Montana | $950–$4,300 | $2,300 | -4.9% |
| Nebraska | $950–$4,300 | $2,300 | -4.8% |
| Nevada | $980–$4,450 | $2,350 | -1.5% |
| New Hampshire | $1,050–$4,600 | $2,450 | +2.6% |
| New Jersey | $1,050–$4,700 | $2,500 | +4.4% |
| New Mexico | $950–$4,300 | $2,300 | -4.8% |
| New York | $1,050–$4,650 | $2,500 | +3.8% |
| North Carolina | $970–$4,350 | $2,350 | -3.0% |
| North Dakota | $940–$4,250 | $2,250 | -5.7% |
| Ohio | $960–$4,300 | $2,300 | -4.1% |
| Oklahoma | $940–$4,250 | $2,250 | -5.8% |
| Oregon | $1,000–$4,600 | $2,450 | +2.3% |
| Pennsylvania | $990–$4,450 | $2,350 | -1.2% |
| Rhode Island | $1,000–$4,550 | $2,400 | +0.7% |
| South Carolina | $970–$4,350 | $2,300 | -3.4% |
| South Dakota | $940–$4,250 | $2,250 | -6.0% |
| Tennessee | $960–$4,350 | $2,300 | -3.7% |
| Texas | $990–$4,450 | $2,350 | -1.4% |
| Utah | $980–$4,400 | $2,350 | -2.5% |
| Vermont | $980–$4,400 | $2,350 | -1.7% |
| Virginia | $1,000–$4,500 | $2,400 | +0.4% |
| Washington | $1,050–$4,700 | $2,500 | +4.3% |
| West Virginia | $950–$4,250 | $2,300 | -5.1% |
| Wisconsin | $970–$4,350 | $2,300 | -3.4% |
| Wyoming | $950–$4,300 | $2,300 | -4.6% |
Use the state figure as a starting point. Prices inside a large state can vary as much as prices between states.
DIY vs. hiring a pro
Tile is learnable, but it's unforgiving. This Old House estimates that a seasoned pro takes about 10 hours to tile a standard room, while a novice needs about 16. Mistakes such as lippage between tiles, hollow spots or a floor that wasn't flat enough show up as cracked tiles and loose grout, and fixing them means tearing out and starting over.
A small backsplash or a laundry room floor is a reasonable first project. Bob Vila suggests a backsplash for beginners, and you can save $2 to $7 per sq ft by removing old flooring yourself (Bob Vila, HomeGuide).
Showers are a different matter. A leak behind shower tile can rot the framing and subfloor before you see it. Hire an experienced installer for any wet area, and use a licensed plumber if the drain or valve moves. HomeGuide notes that tile alone usually doesn't need a permit, but plumbing and electrical changes typically do.
If your home was built before 1978 and the job disturbs painted walls or trim, contractors must follow the EPA's lead-safe Renovation, Repair and Painting rules. Older vinyl flooring or adhesive under the tile may contain asbestos, so have suspect material tested before demolition.
How to save money on tile installation
- Choose porcelain or ceramic in a standard size. Angi puts ceramic at $0.50–$7 per sq ft for the tile itself, versus $5–$35 for natural stone.
- Keep the layout simple. A straight or offset layout avoids the 10%–20% pattern premium (Fixr). Save herringbone for a small feature area, such as a shower niche or entry.
- Use accent tile sparingly. Put mosaic or glass on a niche or a backsplash band instead of a whole wall.
- Do the demolition yourself if the old floor comes up easily and contains no asbestos.
- Bundle small jobs. A backsplash, laundry floor and powder room booked together spread the installer's minimum charge.
- Get at least three itemized quotes with the same tile, square footage and layout, so you're comparing like with like.
How to compare tile installation quotes
A fair quote should spell out:
- Square footage, tile size and layout, and how much overage is included (usually 10% to 20%).
- Demolition, haul-away and disposal of the old floor or wall tile.
- Substrate prep: backer board or membrane, leveling compound, and subfloor repair, priced per square foot.
- For showers: the waterproofing system, pan or curb, niche and bench, and whether the plumber is included.
- Grout type (cement or epoxy) and sealing for stone or cement grout.
- Trim pieces, transitions and baseboard removal or reinstall.
- A workmanship warranty in writing.
Red flags: a price per square foot with no mention of prep; no plan for waterproofing in a shower; a promise to tile over cracked or bouncy floors; or a quote far below the others that leaves out removal and backer board.
Hidden costs people forget
- Subfloor surprises found only after the old floor comes up. Ask for a written per-square-foot price for repairs before work starts.
- Toilet and vanity removal and reset for bathroom floors.
- Baseboards and door trim that need removing, trimming or replacing, and doors that need cutting to clear a thicker floor.
- Transition strips where tile meets carpet, wood or vinyl.
- Extra tile for future repairs. Discontinued tile is hard to match.
- Ongoing sealing for natural stone and cement grout.
Tile often comes up as part of a bigger project. Our bathroom remodel cost guide and kitchen remodel cost guide show how tile fits into a full renovation budget. If you're still choosing a floor, compare prices with vinyl plank flooring installation and hardwood floor installation.
Bottom line
A professionally installed ceramic or porcelain floor usually costs $9 to $18 per square foot, or about $1,000 to $4,500 for a typical room, with $2,400 as a realistic national midpoint. Showers and backsplashes cost more per square foot, and natural stone, mosaics and herringbone layouts can double the price. Budget separately for removal and subfloor prep, which often decide whether a job lands at the low or high end. Get three itemized quotes that list the substrate, waterproofing and layout before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
How much does tile installation cost per square foot?
For a standard ceramic or porcelain floor, expect about $9 to $18 per sq ft installed. Fixr puts the range at $8–$14 and Angi at $15–$20. Natural stone, mosaics, glass, showers and backsplashes cost more per square foot, often $20 to $40 or higher.
What is the labor cost to install tile per square foot?
Labor alone typically runs $3 to $15 per sq ft for floors (Angi, This Old House), or $30 to $120 an hour. Fixr breaks it down by tile: $7–$9 for 8–14 inch tile, $10–$12 for large format and $12–$14 for glass and mosaic. Backsplash labor is higher, around $25–$32 per sq ft according to HomeAdvisor, because of the small tiles and cuts.
How much does it cost to tile a bathroom floor?
A typical 40–50 sq ft bathroom floor costs about $450 to $800 installed, based on Fixr ($450–$700 for about 50 sq ft) and Angi ($600–$800 for a 40 sq ft full bath). Larger primary bathrooms, heated floors, stone tile or a damaged subfloor push the price up. This Old House puts most bathroom floor jobs at $1,100–$3,000.
How much does shower tile installation cost?
This Old House puts a standard shower tile job at about $3,504 on average, with most between $1,335 and $5,005. HomeAdvisor estimates around $2,000 for a 90 sq ft surround including backer board and grout. Herringbone or diagonal layouts, niches, benches and stone tile add to that.
How much does it cost to remove old tile?
Tile removal usually costs $2 to $7 per sq ft (HomeGuide), with Fixr at $1–$5 and Angi at about $5 including minor subfloor repair. Backsplash removal runs about $3–$6 per sq ft (Angi). Tile set in a thick mortar bed or glued to concrete is at the high end.
Is porcelain tile more expensive to install than ceramic?
Usually a little. Porcelain tile costs about $3–$10 per sq ft versus $0.50–$7 for ceramic (Angi), and its density makes it slower to cut. Fixr's 200 sq ft examples are $800–$4,500 for ceramic and $2,000–$4,400 for porcelain installed. Porcelain absorbs less water, so it's the safer pick for floors, showers and entryways.
Do you need a permit to tile a floor?
Usually not. HomeGuide notes that tilework alone rarely needs a permit unless it's part of a larger remodel or involves moving plumbing or electrical. A shower rebuild with a new drain or valve often does, so ask your installer or local building department.
Sources
We compared these sources to build the QuoteRuler range. State figures adjust the labor portion (50% of the total) using the BEA Regional Price Parities.
- How Much Does Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Installation Cost? — HomeAdvisor (Angi Inc.). Used for: No update date shown on the page. Floor average $1,763, most $861–$2,685; total $13.50–$63 per sq ft indoors; tile $0.50–$15; other materials $6–$9; removal about $2 per sq ft; prep $1–$5; labor $4–$32 overall, floors $4–$14, retiling $4–$10, backsplash and countertop $25–$32; hourly $30–$120; backer board $5–$8 per sq ft; subfloor repair $40–$65, new subfloor $10–$20, concrete resurfacing $3–$10; 30 sq ft backsplash avg $1,500 ($1,000–$1,900); shower surround about $2,000 for about 90 sq ft; 200 sq ft floor avg $3,000–$4,000..
- How Much Does It Cost to Install Tile Floor? [2025 Data] — Angi. Used for: 2025 data (same parent company as HomeAdvisor, so counted with it as one dataset). Average $1,900, normal range $800–$3,000, full range $400–$6,000; installed $15–$20 per sq ft; labor $3–$15 per sq ft or $30–$120 per hour; tile ceramic $0.50–$7, porcelain $3–$10, natural stone $5–$35, marble $5–$25, slate $10–$16, travertine $3–$17; room totals (full bath 40 sq ft $600–$800, medium kitchen 160 sq ft $2,400–$3,200); removal about $5 per sq ft; leveling $2–$30 per sq ft..
- How Much Does a Kitchen Backsplash Cost? [2026 Data] — Angi. Used for: Backsplash average $1,000 (35 sq ft), range $480–$1,500; $15–$40 per sq ft installed; labor $5–$20 per sq ft or $50–$100 per hour (about $100 per hour for herringbone); installed ceramic $12–$32, porcelain $14–$28, glass $18–$42, natural stone $20–$68, marble $30–$150; removal $3–$6 per sq ft..
- How Much Does It Cost to Install Tile Floor? — Fixr. Used for: Updated January 31, 2025. National average $3,500 (200 sq ft of 12 in. porcelain), typical $1,000–$5,000, low $500, high $11,520; installed $8–$14 per sq ft; labor $7–$9 (8–14 in.), $10–$12 (large format), $12–$14 (glass and mosaic); 200 sq ft labor $1,400–$1,600 (about 40%–46% of the average); patterns add 10%–20%; buy 10% extra plus 10%–20% for complex patterns; removal $1–$5 per sq ft; subfloor replacement $1,500–$1,650 average; 200 sq ft totals ceramic $800–$4,500, porcelain $2,000–$4,400, marble $3,000–$5,000; bathroom (about 50 sq ft) most pay $450–$700; kitchen (about 150 sq ft) most pay $1,350–$3,000..
- How Much Does It Cost To Install Tile Flooring? (2026 Guide) — This Old House. Used for: Updated June 8, 2026. Standard 150 sq ft room $2,422–$2,984; bathroom tile about $2,000 average; bathroom floor $1,100–$3,000; kitchen floor $1,050–$2,100; installed per sq ft: ceramic $11–$39, porcelain $13–$48, travertine $9–$32, limestone $18–$65, granite $15–$30, mosaic $13–$57, glass $20–$100; labor $3–$15 per sq ft (kitchen $7–$14); subfloor damage adds about $2 per sq ft; pro takes about 10 hours for a standard room. A 'Key Takeaways' figure of $276–$359 per sq ft conflicts with the rest of the page and was not used..
- Shower Tile Installation Cost — This Old House. Used for: Updated December 12, 2025. Shower tile average $3,504, range $1,335–$5,005; professional labor $692–$2,596, average $17.30 per sq ft; about $63 per hour; subway $7–$15 per sq ft labor, herringbone or diagonal $14.50–$16.50, premium up to about $33; setting materials about $1.37 per sq ft; old tile removal $1–$4 per sq ft; leveling $0.25–$1 per sq ft..
- Tile Installation Cost — HomeGuide. Used for: No update date shown. Installed $10–$50 per sq ft; labor $8–$20, materials $2–$30; 200 sq ft $2,000–$10,000 (average $6,000, max $17,500); sizes 50 sq ft $500–$2,500 to 350 sq ft $3,500–$17,500; ceramic $12–$40, porcelain $15–$50, natural stone $10–$50, glass $20–$100 installed; tile removal $2–$7 per sq ft; radiant floor heat $7–$17 per sq ft; backsplash $10–$50 and shower retile $7–$25 per sq ft; herringbone, basketweave and mosaic patterns cost more; permits usually not needed for tile alone. HomeGuide's ranges run higher than the others, so we used them as an upper bound..
- How Much Does Tile Installation Cost? — Bob Vila. Used for: Last updated September 19, 2023 (older; used only for items other sources don't price). Grout, sealants, adhesives and spacers up to $6 per sq ft combined; waterproofing $450–$750; backer board $5–$8 per sq ft, usually included in labor; slate installation runs two to three times material cost..
- Regional Price Parities by State, 2023 — U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Used for: state cost adjustments.