Cost to Wall Insulation (Blown-In) in Detroit, MI

$850–$4,250 in Detroit

15% below the national average · 0.85x cost multiplier

In Detroit, a wall insulation (blown-in) runs $850 to $4,250 on average — about 15% below 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 Detroit

Line Item	Low	Mid	High
Cost per sq ft	$1	$2	$3
Materials	$340	$765	$1,700
Labor	$680	$1,530	$2,975
Permits	$0	$0	$170
Total	$1,020-15% vs. national avg	$2,295-15% vs. national avg	$4,845-15% vs. national avg

Budget

Blown-in cellulose, 1,000 sq ft of exterior wall, drill-and-fill method, patch holes

Mid-Range

Dense-pack cellulose or fiberglass, 2,000 sq ft, existing home retrofit with patching

Premium

Spray foam or high-performance dense-pack, full exterior envelope, older home

Material Options

Material prices below are national averages; availability in Detroit may shift costs slightly.

Material	Cost/Unit	Pros	Cons	Best For
Blown-In Cellulose (Standard)	$1.00 - $2.00 per sq ft installed	Recycled content, excellent air-sealing properties, R-3.5/inch, fire-treated, widely available	Can settle slightly over time (dense-pack minimizes this), heavier than fiberglass	Most retrofits - the default choice for drill-and-fill wall insulationRecycled content, excellent air-sealing properties, R-3.5/inch, fire-treated, widely available
Blown-In Fiberglass (Standard)	$1.00 - $2.00 per sq ft installed	Does not settle, moisture-resistant, R-2.2-2.7/inch, lighter than cellulose	Slightly lower R-value per inch than cellulose, less effective air sealing	Humid climates where moisture management is a concernDoes not settle, moisture-resistant, R-2.2-2.7/inch, lighter than cellulose
Dense-Pack Cellulose	$1.50 - $2.50 per sq ft installed	Higher density (3.5 lbs/cubic ft) virtually eliminates settling, better air sealing than standard blown-in	Requires specialized equipment and experienced installer, slightly more expensive	Exterior walls where settling would reduce performance, high-performance retrofitsHigher density (3.5 lbs/cubic ft) virtually eliminates settling, better air sealing than standard blown-in
Open-Cell Spray Foam (R-3.7/inch)	$2.00 - $3.50 per sq ft installed	Excellent air sealing, fills irregular cavities completely, soft and flexible	Requires removal of existing drywall for application (open-wall install), expensive retrofit	New construction or gut renovations where walls are already openExcellent air sealing, fills irregular cavities completely, soft and flexible
Closed-Cell Spray Foam (R-6.5/inch)	$3.00 - $5.00 per sq ft installed	Highest R-value per inch, acts as vapor barrier, rigid structural improvement	Very expensive, not practical for closed-wall retrofit, off-gassing during install	New construction, below-grade walls, extremely cold climates needing maximum R-valueHighest R-value per inch, acts as vapor barrier, rigid structural improvement

Other Projects in Detroit

Roof Replacement (Asphalt Shingles)

Furnace Replacement

Full Bathroom Remodel

Back to national average for Wall Insulation (Blown-In)

Detroit Estimate

Typical Range

$850–$4,250

vs. National Average

15% below national

Cost Multiplier

0.85x

Cost Per sq ft

$1–$3

Estimates apply Detroit's 0.85x regional cost multiplier to national averages. Actual bids vary by contractor, project scope, and timing.

See national average costs →