Bathrooms are small, but they pack plumbing, electrics, waterproofing and finishes into a few square meters. That density is why a modest bathroom can cost as much per square foot as a much larger living space.
What the permit filings show
Based on 5,972 residential building-permit filings. The median bathroom renovation valuation runs from $10,000 in Los Angeles to $50,000 in Seattle, about 5.0× the cheapest city. Within a city the spread matters too: the middle half of Chicago filings spans 254% of its median, versus 71% in Austin.
CityTypical range (P25–P75)MedianFilings
Los Angeles$7,000 – $20,202$10,0001,475
Austin$10,000 – $20,000$14,000242
Chicago$6,500 – $65,000$23,067427
San Francisco$15,000 – $62,000$30,0003,324
Seattle$20,000 – $122,817$50,000504
Filings are declared valuations from each city's open permit dataset, limited to residential records classified as bathroom renovation work and valued between $1,000 and $2,000,000. A city is listed only when at least 30 filings qualify. Full methodology. Data refreshed September 2026.
Why size matters less than you would expect
Most bathroom cost is fixed: a vanity, toilet and shower or tub must be plumbed and waterproofed whether the room is compact or generous. That means the price difference between a small and a mid-sized bathroom is often smaller than people expect, while the difference between builder-grade and premium finishes can be large.
Tile is the classic swing item. The tile itself is only part of the cost; preparation, waterproofing membranes and the labor for intricate patterns often outweigh the material.
What a permit range does and does not tell you
Bathroom filings range from a simple fixture swap to a full gut renovation, and both are called a "bathroom remodel." The spread between the 25th and 75th percentile reflects that mix, so decide which kind of project you are planning before comparing yourself to the median.
Filings rarely capture hidden repairs found after demolition, such as rotted subfloor or failed waterproofing. Those are exactly the items that turn a planned budget into an overrun.
Questions that protect your budget
Ask what waterproofing system is being used and who is responsible if it fails. Ask whether the price includes removal and disposal of the old fixtures, and whether ventilation is being upgraded. Bathrooms without adequate ventilation are a common source of later mold and finish failures.
Use your quote to test the range
What this project can cover
A bathroom renovation typically covers fixtures, waterproofing, tile, ventilation, finishes, and the labor needed to connect them.
What may sit outside it
The range may not capture hidden water damage, structural repairs, accessibility changes, or work outside the permitted scope.
Checks before you accept a quote
Confirm the waterproofing system and tile preparation are specified.
Check whether the quote includes fixture removal and waste disposal.
Separate fixture allowances from installation labor.