Asphalt Shingle Roof Replacement cost: Kearny vs Missoula (2026)
In 2026, asphalt shingle roof replacement is about 16% more expensive in Kearny than in Missoula. Most homeowners pay around $10,400 in Kearny versus $9,000 in Missoula — a gap of roughly $1,400.
Kearny NJ
Typically around $10,400
Missoula MT
Lower costTypically around $9,000
Kearny vs Missoula: full breakdown
| Factor | Kearny | Missoula |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $10,400 | $9,000 |
| Estimated range | $6,800–$14,000 | $5,900–$12,100 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×1.14 | ×0.94 |
| Climate zone | Mixed | Cold |
| Climate factor | ×1 | ×1.05 |
| Local permit | $325 | $250 |
| Labor share | $6,250 | $5,400 |
| Materials/equipment | $4,150 | $3,600 |
Asphalt shingle roof replacement numbers here are 2026 planning ranges, adjusted per city — useful for budgeting, not a substitute for an actual quote.
How much should this gap actually matter?
A 16% spread (roughly $1,400) is significant enough to plan around, but not fixed — off-peak timing and sharper bidding in Kearny typically recover some of it.
Asphalt shingle roof replacement by type: Kearny vs Missoula
We localize each asphalt shingle roof replacement type separately for both metros, applying the same labor, climate and permit adjustments each time, so you're comparing like for like.
| Type | Kearny | Missoula |
|---|---|---|
| 3-tab shingles | $6,800–$11,700 | $5,900–$10,100 |
| Architectural shingles | $8,300–$14,000 | $7,150–$12,100 |
These are 2026 planning figures for asphalt shingle roof replacement, localized to each city — not formal quotes.
Asphalt shingle roof replacement by roof size: Kearny vs Missoula
Roofing is priced per 'square' (100 sq ft of roof). A roof is bigger than the home's footprint because of pitch and overhangs — a 2,000 sq ft home often has a 2,200–2,600 sq ft roof. Asphalt runs about $3–$5 per sq ft installed.
| Size | Kearny | Missoula |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft (10 squares) | $4,650–$8,300 | $4,000–$7,150 |
| 1,500 sq ft (15 squares) | $6,000–$11,150 | $5,200–$9,650 |
| 2,000 sq ft (20 squares) | $6,800–$14,000 | $5,900–$12,100 |
| 2,500 sq ft (25 squares) | $8,850–$16,250 | $7,650–$14,050 |
| 3,000 sq ft (30 squares) | $10,550–$19,700 | $9,150–$17,050 |
| 3,500+ sq ft (35 squares) | $12,300–$23,100 | $10,600–$20,000 |
These are 2026 planning figures for asphalt shingle roof replacement, localized to each city — not formal quotes.
What roofing pros earn in each metro
Labor is about 60% of a asphalt shingle roof replacement bill, so local wages drive most of the gap. These are real metro hourly wages for skilled installers (BLS OEWS), not estimates.
New York-Newark-Jersey City metro · about 23% above the US average installer wage.
No BLS metro wage series for Missoula; we use Montana regional price parity instead.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metro wages for HVAC installers (used as a trade-labor index).
Cheapest time for asphalt shingle roof replacement in either city
Storm season pushes demand — and prices — up through summer, since shingles need warm, dry weather to bond correctly. Roofers with open winter calendars will often deal to fill a spring slot.
Where does a smart roofing budget go in 2026?
Before you compare roofing bids, know that the biggest variables are hidden: whether the crew tears off or lays over, what grade of shingle goes down, and what the decking looks like once it's exposed. Each one can shift the total well past the advertised price.
The do-it-right case
A full tear-off lets the crew replace underlayment, flashing and ventilation while the deck is exposed — the layers that actually keep water out. Covering old shingles with new ones costs less on install day, but the trapped heat shortens shingle life, and many manufacturers won't honor a warranty on an overlay.
The value case
For a typical home, the architectural shingle is the default that makes sense. It outlasts 3-tab by a wide margin at a modest premium, and it spares you the cost of metal or tile that most roofs never need to justify.
The risk case
The surprise that wrecks a roofing budget is rot in the decking, and you rarely see it until the old shingles come off. Fix the price per replacement sheet in the contract before the crew starts, so a low bid can't quietly climb once the deck is open.
Insist on tear-off over overlay, get the deck-repair rate in writing before work starts, and lean toward architectural shingles. Skipping any of the three tends to cost more later than it saves now.
Kearny vs Missoula
Is asphalt shingle roof replacement cheaper in Kearny or Missoula?
Missoula comes out ahead here, at roughly $9,000 for asphalt shingle roof replacement compared with $10,400 in Kearny — a 16% ($1,400) gap as of 2026.
Why does asphalt shingle roof replacement cost more in Kearny than Missoula?
Labor rates explain most of it — 1.14 in Kearny vs 0.94 in Missoula. A mixed climate versus cold, along with differing permit costs, accounts for the rest.
How much is asphalt shingle roof replacement in Kearny, NJ?
Kearny homeowners can expect $6,800 to $14,000 for asphalt shingle roof replacement in 2026, with $10,400 the typical number.
When is the cheapest time to buy asphalt shingle roof replacement — and does it differ by city?
The best window is the same in both Kearny and Missoula: Late spring to early fall (dry, 45–85°F), when demand drops and installers discount to keep crews busy — typically 5–10% off peak pricing. The most expensive time anywhere is an emergency replacement during mid-winter and the post-storm rush.
Should I choose where to live based on asphalt shingle roof replacement cost?
Rarely. The $1,400 difference is real but one-time, and you can often close most of it in Kearny by buying in the off-season and getting tighter, apples-to-apples bids. Ongoing factors — energy prices, climate and home condition — matter more over the life of the system.
Compare asphalt shingle roof replacement in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik