Laminate vs Carpet Cost in 2026
Carpet is usually cheaper to install. Home Depot publishes carpet at $1.00 to $4.00 per sq ft, pad at $1.01 and basic installation at $0.69: $2.70 to $5.70 per sq ft in all. Laminate runs $3.39 to $7.39 installed, mostly because its labour is $2.00 to $3.00 per sq ft. For a 12x12 bedroom that is $389 to $821 for carpet against $488 to $1,064 for laminate.
Updated 14 October 2026. How we priced this.
Carpet vs Laminate by Room
| Room | Carpet installed | Laminate installed | Laminate, replacing carpet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12x12 bedroom | $389 to $821 | $488 to $1,064 | $769 to $1,345 |
| 14x16 bedroom | $605 to $1,277 | $759 to $1,655 | $1,196 to $2,092 |
| 400 sq ft | $1,080 to $2,280 | $1,356 to $2,956 | $2,136 to $3,736 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $2,700 to $5,700 | $3,389 to $7,389 | $5,339 to $9,339 |
Laminate column: budget to premium planks. Last column adds Home Depot's $1.95 per sq ft average removal.
Which to Choose Where
| Room | Lean towards | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | Either; carpet costs less | Soft and warm underfoot; no water risk for laminate either |
| Living room, hallway | Laminate | Wipes clean, takes furniture and traffic; rugs add softness |
| Kitchen, entry, laundry | Waterproof laminate, not carpet | Spills and grit; check the plank's water warranty terms |
| Basement over concrete | Laminate with moisture film, or carpet with a moisture-barrier pad | Either needs moisture protection over a slab |
| Stairs | Carpet is simpler | Laminate stairs need stair nose and more labour; see laminate stairs cost |
For allergies, laminate is easier to keep clean, but neither floor is a treatment; ask your doctor if it matters for your household.
Common Questions
Is laminate cheaper than carpet?
Not usually. On Home Depot's published prices, carpet with pad and basic installation comes to $2.70 to $5.70 per sq ft, against $3.39 to $7.39 for laminate installed. The cheapest laminate is close to mid-priced carpet; the gap is mostly labour, because Home Depot lists carpet installation at $0.69 per sq ft and laminate at $2.00 to $3.00.
How much does it cost to carpet vs laminate a 12x12 bedroom?
Carpet: $389 to $821 for 144 sq ft on Home Depot's carpet, pad and installation prices. Laminate: $488 to $1,064 from budget to premium planks, installed.
How much does it cost to replace carpet with laminate?
Add removal to the laminate price. Home Depot averages $1.95 per sq ft to remove an old floor, about $281 for a 12x12 room, so a carpeted bedroom changed to laminate comes to about $769 to $1,345.
Which lasts longer, laminate or carpet?
Compare the warranties on the products you are quoted rather than a rule of thumb: the laminate planks we price carry 30-year to lifetime residential warranties. Laminate cannot be refinished; a worn carpet is replaced.