Basic
$1.47 – $3.42 per sq ft
1/2 in. regular drywall screwed per code, paper tape, all-purpose compound, metal corner bead, Level 4 sanded
How Much Does Install Wallboard Cost in Chicago, Illinois?
Hang, tape, mud and sand 1/2 in. drywall (gypsum wallboard) to a Level 4 paint-ready finish, materials and labor, per square foot of wall/ceiling surface.
Install Wallboard in Chicago, Illinois typically costs $1.72 to $4.03 per sq ft as of 2026. Prices reflect local labor and material rates. Use our calculator below for a detailed, ZIP-code-adjusted estimate.
Install Wallboard in Chicago, Illinois
$1.72 – $4.03
per sq ftPrices in Chicago are 19.0% higher than the national average for install wallboard.
National average: $1.50 – $3.50 per sq ft
What you get at each price level
Standard
$1.72 – $4.03 per sq ft
1/2 in. lightweight drywall in long sheets to cut butt joints, paper tape, paper-faced corner bead, Level 4 sanded
Premium
$2.16 – $5.03 per sq ft
1/2 in. drywall with sag-resistant ceiling board and moisture-resistant board in wet areas, paper-faced bead, Level 4
Cost Breakdown in Chicago
| Component | Category | Price Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | material | $0.73 – $1.68 | sq ft |
| Labor | labor | $0.68 – $1.59 | sq ft |
| Supplies & Other | supplies | $0.19 – $0.45 | sq ft |
| Equipment & Disposal | equipment | $0.13 – $0.31 | sq ft |
Prices adjusted for Chicago local market conditions.
Install Wallboard photo examples
Drywall sheets with joint tape, mud knives and a utility knife
Photo: Timothyjosephwood · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
Find a pro to do thisClose-up of drywall boards joined at a tapered seam with a screw
Photo: Panamitsu · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
Find a pro to do thisTextured drywall ceiling finish in close-up
Photo: Loadmaster (David R. Tribble) This image was made by Loadmaster (David R. Tribble) . Email the author: David R. Tribble Also see my personal gallery at Google Photos · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Find a pro to do this
Cost Factors in Chicago, Illinois
What Affects Pricing
- Materials ($0.68-$1.57 per square foot)
- Labor ($0.52-$1.22 per square foot)
- Supplies & Other ($0.18-$0.42 per square foot)
- Equipment & Disposal ($0.12-$0.29 per square foot)
Local Price Adjustments
Material costs7.0% above avg
Labor costs30.0% above avg
Labor costs in Chicago run proportionally higher than materials, which may favor material-heavy solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- Trusscore: Sheetrock vs drywall 2026 costs, trusscore.com, retrieved Nov 2026
- Estimators.us: Drywall installation cost 2026, estimators.us, retrieved Nov 2026
- Project Cost Range: Drywall installation cost 2026, projectcostrange.com, retrieved Nov 2026
- Primary source data for this cost guide, zarla.com/guides/drywall-pricing
- Construction wages by metro and rural area, used for the labor adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- Regional price parities for goods, used for the materials adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024
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