Cost to Whole-House Rewiring in Chicago, IL (2026)
If you’re budgeting a whole-house rewiring in Chicago, most projects run $4,259-$18,255, 22% above the $8,000 national average. What moves that number most is usually one thing: Home Size. On its own it can swing the cost by $2,500 - $25,000, so that’s the decision to slow down on before you sweat the smaller stuff.
Easiest place to save: If your home has an accessible attic and unfinished basement, the electrician can fish most wires without opening walls - saving thousands in drywall repair
In the Midwest (where Chicago sits): Competitive labor markets and many homes with accessible basements make rewiring 5-15% cheaper than average.
$4,259-$18,255 in Chicago
22% above the national average · 1.22x cost multiplier
In Chicago, a whole-house rewiring runs $4,259 to $18,255 on average - about 22% above what homeowners pay nationwide. The Midwest market's labor costs account for most of the gap, with material pricing and local permitting fees adding to the spread. Use the cost table below to compare budget, mid-range, and premium options side by side.
Cost Breakdown in Chicago
| Line Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per sq ft | $4 | $6 | $10 |
| Materials | $1,635 | $3,270 | $5,995 |
| Labor | $3,303 | $5,945 | $9,909 |
| Permits | $327 | $436 | $545 |
| Total | $5,265+22% vs. national avg | $9,869+22% vs. national avg | $16,994+21% vs. national avg |
Budget
Small home (under 1,200 sq ft), accessible wiring paths, basic NM-B copper wiring, standard outlets and switches, code-minimum circuit count
Mid-Range
Average home (1,500-2,000 sq ft), mix of accessible and closed walls, AFCI/GFCI breakers throughout, dedicated circuits for kitchen and laundry, 200-amp panel
Premium
Large home (2,500+ sq ft), complete drywall removal and replacement, structured wiring for data and entertainment, smart panel, whole-home surge protection, subpanels
Material Options
Material prices below are national averages; availability in Chicago may shift costs slightly.
| Material | Cost/Unit | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard NM-B (Romex) Copper Wiring | $0.50 - $1.50 per foot | Interior walls, most residential rewiring projectsIndustry standard, easy for electricians to work with, affordable, meets all residential codes |
| MC (Metal Clad) Cable | $1.50 - $3.00 per foot | Exposed basement runs, jurisdictions requiring metal-clad wiring, commercial-style installationsBuilt-in metal armor for protection, required in some jurisdictions (Chicago, NYC), good for exposed runs |
| THWN Wire in Conduit | $2.00 - $4.00 per foot (wire + conduit) | Outdoor runs, garage wiring, unfinished basement exposed wiring, industrial aestheticsWires can be replaced without opening walls, maximum protection, required for outdoor and garage applications |
| 14 AWG Wire (15-amp circuits) | $0.30 - $0.60 per foot | Bedroom and living room lighting circuits, general-purpose outlet circuitsLighter, easier to pull, less expensive, adequate for lighting and general-purpose outlets |
| 12 AWG Wire (20-amp circuits) | $0.50 - $0.90 per foot | Kitchen small-appliance circuits, bathroom circuits, garage circuits, home office circuitsHandles 20-amp loads, required for kitchen and bathroom circuits, more future-proof |
Other Projects in Chicago
Chicago Estimate
Typical Range
$4,259-$18,255
vs. National Average
22% above national
Cost Multiplier
1.22x
Cost Per sq ft
$4-$10
This 1.22x estimate prices Chicago labor from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) and applies a lighter regional adjustment to materials and permits, which vary less by metro than labor does. Actual bids vary by contractor, project scope, and timing.
See national average costs →