Romex wire, commonly referring to NM-B nonmetallic-sheathed cable, typically costs about $0.30-$1.50 per foot for common residential sizes, with thicker or three-conductor cable priced higher. The final budget depends on wire gauge, cable length, local retail pricing, delivery, and whether an electrician is installing it.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/2 NM-B cable | $0.30/ft | $0.43/ft | $0.60/ft | Commonly used for qualifying 15-amp circuits |
| 12/2 NM-B cable | $0.45/ft | $0.65/ft | $0.90/ft | Commonly used for qualifying 20-amp circuits |
| 10/2 NM-B cable | $0.85/ft | $1.15/ft | $1.55/ft | Heavier cable for some higher-load circuits |
| Electrician-installed wiring | $6/ft | $10/ft | $18+/ft | Varies with access, route, connections, and project minimums |
Wire-only estimates reflect typical U.S. retail pricing for standard copper NM-B cable; local prices and stock can vary.
What Romex wire costs by gauge and cable size
For common residential projects, shoppers generally pay $0.30-$0.60 per foot for 14/2 cable, $0.45-$0.90 for 12/2, and $0.85-$1.55 for 10/2. The first number identifies conductor gauge; the second indicates the number of insulated conductors, not counting the bare ground wire.
For a straightforward wire-only budget, expect about $45-$90 per 100 feet of 12/2 cable. A 250-foot coil can cost roughly $110-$225, depending on brand, retailer, and market. A 1,000-foot reel often lowers the per-foot rate but can require a larger upfront payment and create leftover material.
Three-conductor options, such as 12/3, commonly run about $0.75-$1.35 per foot; 14/3 may cost about $0.55-$1.00. These cables can serve specific switching or circuit configurations. They are not automatically interchangeable with two-conductor cable: the design, breaker, and code requirements determine the correct type.
Prices assume copper conductors and standard indoor NM-B cable, not specialty wire, conduit, connectors, or electrician labor. Cable sold by the foot may carry a higher unit price than a full coil. Assumptions: standard residential cable, ordinary retail availability, no tax or delivery.
How cable, electrician labor, and permits shape a quote
A wiring estimate may include more than the cable itself. Labor, circuit devices, protective components, access work, and permit charges can exceed the wire material cost, particularly when a route crosses finished walls or ceilings. Ask whether the quote covers a complete, tested circuit or only cable installation.
| Quote item | Typical price range | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| NM-B wire | $0.30-$1.55/ft | Gauge, conductor count, coil size |
| Electrician labor | $50-$125/hour | Market, job minimum, access, complexity |
| Devices and protection | $10-$100+ per location | Receptacle type, switch, GFCI/AFCI needs |
| Permit and inspection | $50-$300+ | Local jurisdiction and project scope |
| Wall opening and patching | $100-$600+ per area | Finish type, number of openings, repair scope |
The labor and access line items usually explain why a small wire purchase can become a much larger installed project. Electricians may apply a minimum service charge of about $100-$250 even when the task takes only a short time. A new circuit, panel work, or extensive concealed routing can require a separate project quote.
Some jurisdictions require a permit for new circuits or substantial electrical work; fees and inspection rules are local. A quote should identify whether permits, device installation, testing, cleanup, and wall repair are included. If a contractor excludes patching or painting, those costs may need a separate trade.
Why gauge, run length, and wall access change the price
Wire gauge is a major material-cost driver. A 10/2 cable can cost roughly twice as much per foot as 14/2, while 12/3 generally costs more than 12/2 because it has an additional insulated conductor. The suitable gauge depends on circuit design and electrical code, not simply on which option is cheapest.
Confirm the required cable size and circuit configuration before buying by the coil. For example, a 150-foot route using 12/2 at $0.65 per foot has a basic cable cost near $98; adding 10% for routing and termination allowance brings the material budget to about $107. The electrician should verify the actual route and design.
Length also changes the total. A 50-foot run of 12/2 at $0.45-$0.90 per foot costs about $23-$45 for cable, while a 250-foot run costs roughly $113-$225 at the same rate. Long distances may call for a different circuit design or conductor size to address voltage drop, depending on load and installation details.
Access can move labor well beyond the wire budget. An open-stud wall is usually simpler than a finished wall, plaster ceiling, masonry surface, or route blocked by insulation and framing. A route with multiple floors, tight crawlspace access, or several wall penetrations may require more hours and restoration work.
Job size matters as well: adding one accessible outlet is different from wiring several rooms or replacing a long concealed run. A panel that needs capacity upgrades, or a circuit requiring AFCI or GFCI protection, may add equipment and labor. Labor estimate formula:
How to keep a Romex wire project within budget
Set the route and scope before requesting quotes. A clear list of circuit locations, approximate distances, wall conditions, and included devices helps electricians price the same work. Avoid buying a large reel based on rough measurements; the savings per foot can disappear if the remaining cable is unusable for the next project.
Choose cable by electrical requirements first, then compare unit prices among equivalent products. A cheaper gauge is not a safe substitute for the specified cable. Ask the electrician to identify the required cable type and approximate footage, then compare full-coil pricing with cut-length pricing.
Where practical, complete non-electrical preparation such as clearing storage from an access area, moving furniture, and identifying finished surfaces that need protection. Do not cut into walls, pull cable, or make electrical connections unless the work is within the homeowner’s ability and allowed by local rules. Mistakes can increase repair and inspection costs.
Get two or three written estimates for substantial work and compare scope, not just totals. Check whether each includes permit fees, devices, testing, wall repair, and disposal. Combining several nearby wiring tasks into one scheduled visit may reduce repeated service minimums, while postponing nonessential upgrades can keep the immediate project smaller.
Do electrician rates differ across U.S. regions?
Wire pricing is affected by retailer competition, freight, and local stock, but labor often creates the larger regional gap. In lower-cost rural markets, an electrician’s rate may be around $50-$85 per hour; many suburban and mid-cost urban markets fall near $70-$110; high-cost cities can reach $100-$150 or more. These are broad planning ranges, not fixed local rates.
For comparable work, labor-heavy installations may be 15%-35% higher in high-cost metropolitan areas than in lower-cost markets. Travel distance, parking, building rules, union labor, and contractor availability can add charges even within the same region. Material prices may also vary 10%-25% between stores or locations, particularly for large coils.
Ask for a local, itemized quote rather than applying a national per-foot installation rate to every job. In an open new-construction wall, cable routing is relatively direct; in an occupied home, protective setup and careful access can make labor the main expense. A quote that is notably below others may exclude permits, repairs, or finish work.
How many hours does residential Romex installation take?
For a short, accessible run in an open wall, cable installation may take about 1-3 labor hours, plus setup and connection time. A new circuit routed through finished areas may take 4-8 hours or longer, particularly when the path is difficult or several devices are involved. The actual schedule depends on crew size and whether panel work or inspection is included.
At $75-$125 per hour, four electrician labor hours represent about $300-$500 before materials, permit fees, and any job minimum. A two-person crew may finish sooner but can have a higher combined hourly charge. Ask whether a quoted “labor hour” means one worker-hour or the elapsed time of a crew.
For a simple accessible job, an installed allowance of $6-$12 per route foot may be plausible, while concealed or complicated work can exceed $18 per foot. Per-foot pricing is most useful when the quote defines the route and included tasks. It is less reliable for a short job subject to a minimum charge or for work that includes panel changes.
Three sample Romex wire budgets for common jobs
These examples separate the cable allowance from the wider project budget. Installed totals are illustrative because device count, access, local labor, and permit rules can change the quote. They assume standard copper NM-B cable and no major panel replacement.
| Project example | Wire estimate | Labor and other work | Illustrative total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50-ft accessible 14/2 run | 50 ft × $0.43 = $22 | 2 hours at $75-$100, plus device: $160-$250 | $180-$275 |
| 120-ft 12/2 new circuit in finished home | 120 ft × $0.65 = $78 | 5-7 hours at $75-$125, device and permit allowance: $475-$1,175 | $550-$1,250 |
| 200-ft 10/2 route with difficult access | 200 ft × $1.15 = $230 | 8-12 hours at $85-$140, plus protection and access work: $800-$1,900 | $1,050-$2,200 |
The examples show why a cable-only calculation is not a complete installed-price estimate. The 10/2 scenario is not a recommendation for a particular appliance or circuit; an electrician must determine the required design. Permit and repair allowances can also differ significantly by city and property condition.
When comparing estimates, request the cable length and gauge, the number of labor hours or fixed labor charge, and a list of included devices. If the route is measured differently by each contractor, ask for a shared scope so that the totals are comparable.
When NM-B cable costs less than MC cable or conduit
NM-B cable is often the lower-cost choice for permitted indoor residential locations where local code allows it. Metal-clad (MC) cable may cost roughly $0.80-$2.00 per foot for common configurations, while conduit installations can run about $3-$10 or more per route foot for materials and fittings alone, before labor. Product specifications and local prices vary.
The lowest material price does not determine which wiring method is allowed or appropriate. NM-B is generally intended for dry indoor locations and is not a universal choice for exposed, wet, or physically vulnerable runs. MC cable or conduit may be required or preferred in particular settings, but installation details and code rules determine the solution.
Conduit can provide a protected raceway and may make conductor replacement practical in some installations, but bends, fittings, supports, and pulling labor add expense. MC cable can also have higher material and handling costs than NM-B. A licensed electrician can price compliant alternatives for the specific route instead of substituting a lower-priced product that does not meet the job requirements.