Updated for 2026
The 2026 Insulation Cost Report
What insulation actually costs this year — by material, by job, by state and by metro — with the DIY savings and rebates that change the math.
$1.85 / sq ft
National average for a blown-in attic to R-49, installed.
45–60%
Typical saving from doing attic blown-in or batts yourself.
1.8×
Gap between the cheapest and priciest state for identical work.
$1,200
Annual federal 25C tax credit cap on insulation and air sealing.
National prices per square foot
Installed, material plus labor. Multiply by your local index on the state pages below.
| Job type | Installed cost / sq ft | 1,500 sq ft attic |
|---|---|---|
| Attic blown-in fiberglass (R-49) | $1.85 | $2,775 |
| Attic blown-in cellulose (R-49) | $1.70 | $2,550 |
| Attic fiberglass batts (R-38) | $1.60 | $2,400 |
| Wall batts, open framing (R-15) | $1.75 | $2,625 |
| Wall dense-pack retrofit (drill & fill) | $2.60 | $3,900 |
| Crawlspace floor or wall insulation | $2.10 | $3,150 |
| Basement rigid foam + framing | $3.10 | $4,650 |
| Open-cell spray foam (3.5") | $1.95 | $2,925 |
| Closed-cell spray foam (2") | $3.60 | $5,400 |
| Old insulation removal & disposal | $1.55 | $2,325 |
Whole-job national ranges
| Typical project | Local price range |
|---|---|
| Attic top-up (1,500 sq ft) | $1,500 – $2,600 |
| Full attic removal + re-insulate | $3,200 – $5,400 |
| Whole-house wall retrofit (2,000 sq ft home) | $4,200 – $7,800 |
| Crawlspace encapsulation + insulation | $3,800 – $9,000 |
| Garage conversion insulation | $900 – $2,200 |
| Whole-home spray foam (new build) | $7,500 – $16,000 |
Cheapest states for insulation
- Mississippi$1.55
- Arkansas$1.57
- Oklahoma$1.59
- West Virginia$1.61
- Alabama$1.63
- Louisiana$1.63
Most expensive states
- Hawaii$2.74
- Alaska$2.63
- New York$2.44
- District of Columbia$2.41
- Massachusetts$2.41
- California$2.37
Priciest metros
What moved prices in 2026
Fiberglass and cellulose material prices have been broadly flat since 2024, while installed prices kept climbing — the increase is almost entirely labor. Crews are still scarce in fast-growing Sun Belt metros, and the federal 25C credit plus utility rebate programs have kept retrofit demand high.
Spray foam remains the widest-swinging line item. Closed-cell installed pricing runs $3.00–$4.50 per square foot at 2 inches depending on rig availability, and small jobs carry minimum charges of $1,500–$2,500 that make a single-room foam job look absurd per square foot.
The best-value job in 2026 is unchanged: air seal the attic plane, then blow cellulose or fiberglass to your zone target. In most homes that is under $2,500 installed and it returns more comfort per dollar than any other envelope upgrade.
Methodology
National baselines are assembled from big-box retail material pricing and contractor quote ranges, then adjusted by a regional labor index built from state and metro construction wage data. Figures are planning estimates, not quotes — always get three local bids.
Insulation gear worth owning
The tools and materials that show up on almost every insulation job.
Owens Corning R-19 Unfaced Fiberglass Insulation 77.5 Sq.ft (15 in x 93 in) 1 Batt
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Owens Corning R-19 Unfaced Fiberglass Insulation 77.5 Sq.ft (15 in x 93 in) 1 Batt
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BEEST FullStop Spray Foam Insulation Kit - 240 Board ft/sq.ft. Fire Rated Spray Insulation Foam for Walls & Attics with Thermal & Soundproofing - Includes 12x Cans, 1 Cleaner, Pro X Gun, Safety Gear
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Multi Purpose XPS Foam Board,2 Pack 15.6x11.7X 2in Polystyrene Craft Foam Sheets,Rigid and Easy to Shape,DIY Modeling Art Projects, Party Decoration, Cosplay Prop Production, Carve,Heat Insulation
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Holikme Weather Stripping Door Seal, Shower Door Seal Strip,1.8" W-33Feet | Flexible Door Seal, Seals Gaps up to 1.2", Helps Reduce Air Leaks & Dust, For Doors & Windows
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BLACK+DECKER Thermal Leak Detector (TLD100)
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