Tile Flooring Installation cost: Ames vs Davenport (2026)
Budget-wise, tile flooring installation in Ames ($7,200) runs 1% less than in Davenport ($7,250), a roughly $50 spread.
Ames IA
Lower costTypically around $7,200
Davenport IA
Typically around $7,250
Ames vs Davenport: full breakdown
| Factor | Ames | Davenport |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 cost | $7,200 | $7,250 |
| Estimated range | $3,250–$11,150 | $3,250–$11,200 |
| Labor index (vs US) | ×0.93 | ×0.93 |
| Climate zone | Cold | Cold |
| Climate factor | ×1 | ×1 |
| Local permit | None | None |
| Labor share | $4,300 | $4,350 |
| Materials/equipment | $2,900 | $2,900 |
These are 2026 planning figures for tile flooring installation, localized to each city — not formal quotes.
How much should this gap actually matter?
That 1% gap is small — for tile flooring installation it's usually less than the spread between two local contractors' quotes, so the metro matters far less than who you hire and when you buy.
Tile flooring installation by type: Ames vs Davenport
Each tile flooring installation option, priced separately for both metros — the same local labor, climate and permit adjustments applied per city, so you can compare like for like.
| Type | Ames | Davenport |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | $3,250–$7,400 | $3,250–$7,450 |
| Porcelain | $4,200–$9,300 | $4,200–$9,350 |
| Natural stone (travertine / slate) | $5,550–$13,000 | $5,600–$13,100 |
| Marble | $7,400–$16,700 | $7,450–$16,800 |
All figures are 2026 localized planning estimates for tile flooring installation — get an actual quote before you commit.
Tile flooring installation by floor area: Ames vs Davenport
Tile is priced around $7–$25/sq ft for a complete installed job — labor-heavy because of mortar, leveling, grouting, and cuts. Intricate patterns and large rooms with many cuts push the per-square-foot cost up.
| Size | Ames | Davenport |
|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft (bathroom) | $750–$2,300 | $750–$2,350 |
| 200 sq ft (small room) | $1,400–$4,200 | $1,400–$4,200 |
| 500 sq ft (large room) | $3,250–$8,350 | $3,250–$8,400 |
| 1,000+ sq ft (main floor) | $6,500–$14,850 | $6,550–$14,950 |
Tile flooring installation numbers here are 2026 planning ranges, adjusted per city — useful for budgeting, not a substitute for an actual quote.
Cheapest time for tile flooring installation in either city
Demand for flooring falls off right after the holidays, and stores mark down stock to move it — the same stretch when installers have the least competing work.
How should you budget a flooring project?
Material choice and the subfloor underneath drive the real cost. Our editors on the trade-offs.
The hidden-cost case
What blows up a flooring budget is rarely the flooring — it's the plywood or slab beneath it. Get leveling, old-floor removal and haul-away written into the bid, because a quote that skips them grows the moment the crew pulls up the first row.
The material-value case
Laminate and luxury vinyl deliver a hardwood look for a fraction of the price and handle moisture better — the value pick for busy homes and tight budgets.
The longevity case
Hardwood carries a higher sticker, but a solid plank sands and refinishes several times across its life and it lifts what the house sells for. For owners planning to stay, spreading that cost over decades makes the premium reasonable.
Two questions settle a flooring budget: how long you'll live with the floor, and how much abuse the room hands it. Answer those to choose the material, then fund subfloor prep before anything else — a skipped subfloor is where a bargain floor becomes a second install.
Ames vs Davenport
Is tile flooring installation cheaper in Ames or Davenport?
Ames comes out ahead here, at roughly $7,200 for tile flooring installation compared with $7,250 in Davenport — a 1% ($50) gap as of 2026.
Why does tile flooring installation cost more in Davenport than Ames?
Labor rates explain most of it — 0.93 in Davenport vs 0.93 in Ames. A cold climate versus cold accounts for the rest.
How much is tile flooring installation in Ames, IA?
In Ames, tile flooring installation typically runs $3,250–$11,150 in 2026, with most homeowners paying around $7,200.
When is the cheapest time to buy tile flooring installation — and does it differ by city?
Timing doesn't change by city here — Winter and the post-holiday January window is the cheapest window in both Ames and Davenport, saving roughly 5–10%. Avoid late spring and summer in either location, when emergency replacements push prices up.
Should I choose where to live based on tile flooring installation cost?
Not really — the $50 gap is one-time, and smart timing and tighter quotes in Davenport can shrink it. Factors that compound over time, like energy prices and home condition, deserve more weight than a single upfront difference.
Compare tile flooring installation in other cities
Updated June 2026 · By Serhat Özçelik