Cost to Wallpaper Installation in New York City, NY (2026)
If you’re budgeting a wallpaper installation in New York City, most projects run $992-$4,959, 24% above the $1,800 national average. What moves that number most is usually one thing: Wallpaper Material. On its own it can swing the cost by $0.50-$15/sq ft difference, so that’s the decision to slow down on before you sweat the smaller stuff.
Easiest place to save: Do a single accent wall instead of full room - one bold wall behind a bed or sofa costs $300-$600 versus $1,500-$3,000 for a full room and has 80% of the visual impact.
In the Northeast (where New York City sits): Higher labor rates in metro areas like NYC and Boston.
$992-$4,959 in New York City
24% above the national average · 1.24x cost multiplier
Homeowners in New York City typically spend $992-$4,959 on a wallpaper installation, about 24% above the national average. Labor rates and contractor availability in the Northeast region drive much of the price difference. Permit requirements and material delivery costs also play a role. See the full tier-by-tier breakdown below before requesting bids.
Cost Breakdown in New York City
| Line Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per sq ft | $2 | $4 | $10 |
| Materials | $363 | $847 | $2,420 |
| Labor | $631 | $1,262 | $3,155 |
| Permits | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $994+24% vs. national avg | $2,109+24% vs. national avg | $5,575+24% vs. national avg |
Budget
Pre-pasted vinyl wallpaper, single accent wall (~200 sq ft), simple pattern
Mid-Range
Mid-grade paper or grasscloth, one room (~400 sq ft), basic prep
Premium
Designer or hand-printed wallpaper, complex pattern matching, full room with professional prep
Material Options
Material prices below are national averages; availability in New York City may shift costs slightly.
| Material | Cost/Unit | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl Wallpaper | $0.50-$3/sq ft materials | Bathrooms, kitchens, rental properties, high-traffic areasDurable, washable, easy to hang, wide selection, affordable |
| Grasscloth / Woven Texture | $3-$8/sq ft materials | Living rooms, dining rooms, low-traffic accent wallsNatural texture, premium look, hides wall imperfections somewhat |
| Peel-and-Stick Removable | $1-$4/sq ft materials | Renters, temporary spaces, low-commitment accentsNo paste, easy to remove and reposition, renter-friendly |
| Designer / Hand-Printed Paper | $10-$50/sq ft materials | Formal dining rooms, powder rooms, statement wallsUnique patterns, heirloom quality, creates a signature room |
| Fabric-Backed Wallpaper | $5-$15/sq ft materials | High-end hospitality look, commercial applicationsExtremely durable, dimensional texture, upholstered look |
Other Projects in New York City
New York City Estimate
Typical Range
$992-$4,959
vs. National Average
24% above national
Cost Multiplier
1.24x
Cost Per sq ft
$2-$10
This 1.24x estimate prices New York City 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 →