How Much Does Hardwood Floor Installation Cost?
Updated for 2026 — national average costs with state-by-state breakdowns
What Does Hardwood Floor Installation Include?
Hardwood flooring installation includes the wood planks, underlayment, installation labor, and finishing. Prices shown are per square foot including materials and labor.
The national average cost for hardwood floor installation is $10 per sq ft (installed). Most homeowners pay between $6 and $18, though costs can vary significantly based on your location, the scope of work, and other factors outlined below.
What Affects the Price?
Wood Type
Oak: $6-$12/sq ft. Maple: $7-$13/sq ft. Walnut: $10-$18/sq ft. Brazilian cherry: $12-$22/sq ft
Solid vs Engineered
Solid: $8-$18/sq ft. Engineered: $6-$14/sq ft
Key Cost Factors
- ✓Wood species
- ✓Solid vs engineered
- ✓Plank width
- ✓Room preparation
- ✓Stain and finish
- ✓Subfloor condition
💡 Tips to Save Money
- 1.Engineered hardwood costs less and works in more situations than solid
- 2.Choose domestic species (oak, maple) over exotic for significant savings
- 3.Buy material during holiday sales
- 4.Have all rooms done at once for volume discounts
📈 Hardwood Floor Installation Cost Trends (2022–2026)
Prices have increased +11.1% over the last 5 years
| Year | National Avg | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $9 | — |
| 2023 | $9 | +0.0% |
| 2024 | $10 | +11.1% |
| 2025 | $10 | +0.0% |
| 2026 | $10 | +0.0% |
Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.
Hardwood Floor Installation Cost by State
Costs vary significantly by state due to labor rates, cost of living, and local market conditions. Click any state for a detailed breakdown.
| State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $5 | $8 | $15 |
| Alaska | $8 | $13 | $23 |
| Arizona | $6 | $10 | $17 |
| Arkansas | $5 | $8 | $14 |
| California | $8 | $14 | $24 |
| Colorado | $6 | $11 | $19 |
| Connecticut | $7 | $12 | $22 |
| Delaware | $6 | $11 | $19 |
| District of Columbia | $8 | $13 | $23 |
| Florida | $6 | $10 | $18 |
| Georgia | $5 | $9 | $16 |
| Hawaii | $9 | $14 | $26 |
| Idaho | $6 | $9 | $17 |
| Illinois | $6 | $11 | $19 |
| Indiana | $5 | $9 | $16 |
| Iowa | $5 | $9 | $15 |
| Kansas | $5 | $9 | $15 |
| Kentucky | $5 | $8 | $15 |
| Louisiana | $5 | $9 | $16 |
| Maine | $6 | $10 | $18 |
| Maryland | $7 | $12 | $21 |
| Massachusetts | $8 | $13 | $23 |
| Michigan | $6 | $9 | $17 |
| Minnesota | $6 | $10 | $18 |
| Mississippi | $5 | $8 | $14 |
| Missouri | $5 | $9 | $16 |
| Montana | $6 | $10 | $17 |
| Nebraska | $5 | $9 | $16 |
| Nevada | $6 | $10 | $18 |
| New Hampshire | $7 | $11 | $20 |
| New Jersey | $8 | $13 | $23 |
| New Mexico | $5 | $9 | $16 |
| New York | $8 | $13 | $24 |
| North Carolina | $5 | $9 | $16 |
| North Dakota | $5 | $9 | $16 |
| Ohio | $5 | $9 | $16 |
| Oklahoma | $5 | $8 | $15 |
| Oregon | $7 | $11 | $20 |
| Pennsylvania | $6 | $10 | $18 |
| Rhode Island | $7 | $12 | $21 |
| South Carolina | $5 | $9 | $16 |
| South Dakota | $5 | $9 | $15 |
| Tennessee | $5 | $9 | $15 |
| Texas | $6 | $9 | $17 |
| Utah | $6 | $10 | $17 |
| Vermont | $6 | $11 | $19 |
| Virginia | $6 | $11 | $19 |
| Washington | $7 | $12 | $21 |
| West Virginia | $5 | $8 | $14 |
| Wisconsin | $6 | $9 | $17 |
| Wyoming | $6 | $9 | $17 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does hardwood flooring last?
Solid hardwood can last 75-100 years with refinishing every 7-10 years. Engineered lasts 20-50 years.
🏙️ Hardwood Floor Installation Cost by City
Compare hardwood floor installation costs in the most popular US cities:
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