Cost to Drywall Installation in St. Louis, MO (2026)
If you’re budgeting a drywall installation in St. Louis, most projects run $1,055-$5,277, 6% above the $2,200 national average. What moves that number most is usually one thing: Finish Level. On its own it can swing the cost by $0.50-$2/sq ft, so that’s the decision to slow down on before you sweat the smaller stuff.
Easiest place to save: Separate the work: hang the boards yourself and hire only for tape and finish - saves $300-$700 on a typical room.
In the Midwest (where St. Louis sits): Below-average labor rates, competitive market.
$1,055-$5,277 in St. Louis
6% above the national average · 1.06x cost multiplier
In St. Louis, a drywall installation runs $1,055 to $5,277 on average - about 6% 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 St. Louis
| Line Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per sq ft | $2 | $3 | $4 |
| Materials | $470 | $846 | $1,880 |
| Labor | $792 | $1,584 | $3,961 |
| Permits | $0 | $0 | $282 |
| Total | $1,262+5% vs. national avg | $2,430+6% vs. national avg | $6,123+6% vs. national avg |
Budget
New drywall in one room, standard 1/2-inch, basic tape and mud
Mid-Range
Multi-room drywall, includes taping, mudding, and texture coat
Premium
Full basement or addition finish, moisture-resistant board where needed, level 5 finish
Material Options
Material prices below are national averages; availability in St. Louis may shift costs slightly.
| Material | Cost/Unit | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 1/2-Inch Drywall | $0.40-$0.60/sq ft materials | Interior walls and ceilings in living spacesMost common, widely available, cost-effective, works for most walls |
| Moisture-Resistant (Green Board) | $0.60-$0.80/sq ft materials | Bathroom walls (non-wet areas), laundry rooms, basementsHandles humidity better than standard, good for bathrooms |
| Mold-Resistant (Purple Board) | $0.80-$1.00/sq ft materials | Basements, bathrooms, any area with chronic moisture concernsBest moisture and mold resistance without cement board |
| 5/8-Inch Fire-Rated (Type X) | $0.70-$0.90/sq ft materials | Garage walls, between dwelling units, required by local code1-hour fire rating, better sound dampening, required by code in some locations |
| Cement Board | $1.00-$1.80/sq ft materials | Shower surrounds, tub decks, any area that gets wet (not drywall at all here)Waterproof, required behind tile in wet areas |
Other Projects in St. Louis
St. Louis Estimate
Typical Range
$1,055-$5,277
vs. National Average
6% above national
Cost Multiplier
1.06x
Cost Per sq ft
$2-$4
This 1.06x estimate prices St. Louis 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 →