Carpet Cleaning Cost USA 2026
By Our research team · Last verified · 11 min read · Methodology
Carpet cleaning costs in the US
What most homeowners pay for carpet job, labor, travel and normal pre-treatment included. Pick your city for local prices.
How we get this data- Typical
- $200
- Low end
- $90
- High end
- $475
Professional carpet cleaning in the US costs $125–$300 for three rooms and a hallway in 2026, and most homeowners pay about $200. Priced room by room, steam cleaning is $40–$90 a room once you book three or more. One room on its own costs $100–$175 because of the minimum charge, and the biggest, dirtiest jobs reach $475.
$125–$300 to clean three rooms and a hallway in the US, with $200 typical. Steam cleaning runs $40–$90 a room for three or more rooms, a 5-room house $200–$450, and a three-seat sofa $100–$275. Pick your city ↓
- US carpet cleaning: $125–$300 for 3 rooms and a hallway, $200 typical
- Steam cleaning $40–$90 a room for 3+ rooms; one room alone $100–$175
- Whole 5-room house $200–$450; full staircase $40–$80
- Pet urine $20–$75 a room; three-seat sofa $100–$275
- Pick a city below for local prices across 195 US metros
Prices below come from national cost guides, franchise and local price lists, Thumbtack's city data and BLS wage data across 195 US metros, re-verified in November 2026. They include labor, travel and normal pre-treatment unless a row says otherwise. Pick your city for local pricing.
Three rooms and a hallway run $125–$300 across the US, with $200 typical. Per room, steam cleaning runs $40–$90 once you book three or more, and low-moisture (dry) cleaning $60–$150. Most companies count a room as up to about 200–300 sq ft and charge stairs, halls and pet treatment on top. A single room usually hits the $100–$175 minimum.
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 73+ American pricing sources · See methodology
Carpet cleaning cost by city
Typical carpet cleaning ranges, re-verified November 2026 across 73+ sources. Largest cities first.
Among the biggest metros, Seattle is the priciest at $250 and Phoenix the least at $180.
Half of the 195 metros we price sit between $180 and $200.
| City | Typical range |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $140–$330 per job |
| Los Angeles, CA | $140–$330 per job |
| Chicago, IL | $130–$320 per job |
| Dallas, TX | $120–$280 per job |
| Houston, TX | $110–$270 per job |
| Washington, DC | $140–$330 per job |
| Atlanta, GA | $130–$300 per job |
| Philadelphia, PA | $130–$300 per job |
| Miami, FL | $120–$280 per job |
| Phoenix, AZ | $110–$270 per job |
| Boston, MA | $140–$330 per job |
| San Francisco, CA | $140–$330 per job |
| Riverside, CA | $130–$310 per job |
| Detroit, MI | $130–$310 per job |
| Seattle, WA | $150–$370 per job |
| Minneapolis, MN | $130–$320 per job |
| San Diego, CA | $130–$310 per job |
| Tampa, FL | $120–$290 per job |
| Orange County, CA | $130–$310 per job |
| Denver, CO | $130–$320 per job |
| Oakland, CA | $140–$330 per job |
| Charlotte, NC | $120–$280 per job |
| Baltimore, MD | $120–$300 per job |
| St. Louis, MO | $120–$300 per job |
| Orlando, FL | $120–$290 per job |
| Brooklyn, NY | $130–$320 per job |
| San Antonio, TX | $120–$280 per job |
| Fort Worth, TX | $110–$280 per job |
| Austin, TX | $130–$310 per job |
| Portland, OR | $140–$330 per job |
| Sacramento, CA | $130–$320 per job |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $130–$320 per job |
| Las Vegas, NV | $130–$310 per job |
| Cincinnati, OH | $120–$300 per job |
| Kansas City, MO | $120–$290 per job |
| Columbus, OH | $110–$270 per job |
| Newark, NJ | $140–$330 per job |
| Nashville, TN | $130–$310 per job |
| Indianapolis, IN | $130–$300 per job |
| Cleveland, OH | $120–$300 per job |
| San Jose, CA | $140–$330 per job |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | $110–$270 per job |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $120–$280 per job |
| Jacksonville, FL | $120–$280 per job |
| Providence, RI | $120–$300 per job |
| Milwaukee, WI | $120–$300 per job |
| Raleigh, NC | $130–$310 per job |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $110–$270 per job |
| West Palm Beach, FL | $110–$270 per job |
| New Orleans, LA | $110–$270 per job |
| Memphis, TN | $120–$280 per job |
| Richmond, VA | $120–$290 per job |
| Louisville, KY | $120–$290 per job |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $130–$310 per job |
| Hartford, CT | $120–$290 per job |
| Birmingham, AL | $110–$270 per job |
| Buffalo, NY | $120–$290 per job |
| Rochester, NY | $120–$290 per job |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $120–$290 per job |
| Tucson, AZ | $120–$290 per job |
| Honolulu, HI | $120–$300 per job |
| Tulsa, OK | $110–$260 per job |
| Fresno, CA | $120–$300 per job |
| Omaha, NE | $120–$290 per job |
| St. Petersburg, FL | $120–$280 per job |
| Worcester, MA | $130–$300 per job |
| Bridgeport, CT | $120–$300 per job |
| Greenville, SC | $110–$260 per job |
| Tacoma, WA | $150–$360 per job |
| Albuquerque, NM | $120–$280 per job |
| Bakersfield, CA | $130–$310 per job |
| Albany, NY | $120–$300 per job |
| Knoxville, TN | $110–$270 per job |
| McAllen, TX | $110–$260 per job |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $100–$250 per job |
| El Paso, TX | $110–$260 per job |
| Sarasota, FL | $110–$280 per job |
| New Haven, CT | $120–$290 per job |
| Columbia, SC | $110–$260 per job |
| Oxnard, CA | $130–$300 per job |
| Charleston, SC | $120–$280 per job |
| Dayton, OH | $120–$280 per job |
| Boise, ID | $120–$280 per job |
| Fort Myers, FL | $110–$280 per job |
| Stockton, CA | $120–$300 per job |
| Greensboro, NC | $110–$270 per job |
| Lakeland, FL | $110–$270 per job |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $120–$290 per job |
| Little Rock, AR | $100–$250 per job |
| Des Moines, IA | $110–$270 per job |
| Wilmington, DE | $120–$280 per job |
| Akron, OH | $120–$280 per job |
| Daytona Beach, FL | $110–$270 per job |
| Provo, UT | $110–$260 per job |
| Springfield, MA | $120–$290 per job |
| Ogden, UT | $110–$260 per job |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $110–$270 per job |
| Madison, WI | $120–$290 per job |
| Syracuse, NY | $120–$290 per job |
| Durham, NC | $120–$290 per job |
| Wichita, KS | $110–$270 per job |
| Toledo, OH | $110–$270 per job |
| Augusta, GA | $110–$270 per job |
| Palm Bay, FL | $110–$270 per job |
| Jackson, MS | $100–$240 per job |
| Harrisburg, PA | $120–$280 per job |
| Spokane, WA | $120–$300 per job |
| Chattanooga, TN | $110–$270 per job |
| Fayetteville, AR | $100–$250 per job |
| Scranton, PA | $120–$280 per job |
| Portland, ME | $120–$300 per job |
| Modesto, CA | $130–$300 per job |
| Lansing, MI | $120–$280 per job |
| Youngstown, OH | $110–$270 per job |
| Fayetteville, NC | $110–$270 per job |
| Lexington, KY | $110–$280 per job |
| Huntsville, AL | $110–$250 per job |
| Pensacola, FL | $110–$270 per job |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $110–$260 per job |
| Mesa, AZ | $110–$260 per job |
| Reno, NV | $120–$280 per job |
| Springfield, MO | $110–$280 per job |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $120–$290 per job |
| Asheville, NC | $120–$280 per job |
| Killeen, TX | $110–$260 per job |
| Visalia, CA | $120–$290 per job |
| Lafayette, LA | $100–$240 per job |
| Long Beach, CA | $130–$310 per job |
| Santa Barbara, CA | $120–$290 per job |
| Salinas, CA | $130–$310 per job |
| Mobile, AL | $110–$250 per job |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $110–$260 per job |
| Manchester, NH | $120–$290 per job |
| Salem, OR | $120–$290 per job |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $120–$280 per job |
| Brownsville, TX | $110–$260 per job |
| Gulfport, MS | $100–$240 per job |
| Appleton, WI | $120–$280 per job |
| Savannah, GA | $110–$270 per job |
| Anchorage, AK | $120–$300 per job |
| Beaumont, TX | $110–$260 per job |
| Flint, MI | $110–$270 per job |
| Peoria, IL | $120–$280 per job |
| Canton, OH | $110–$270 per job |
| Arlington, TX | $110–$280 per job |
| Shreveport, LA | $100–$240 per job |
| Tallahassee, FL | $110–$270 per job |
| Montgomery, AL | $110–$250 per job |
| Trenton, NJ | $120–$290 per job |
| Eugene, OR | $120–$280 per job |
| Davenport, IA | $120–$280 per job |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $120–$290 per job |
| Fort Collins, CO | $120–$290 per job |
| Gainesville, FL | $110–$280 per job |
| Lincoln, NE | $120–$280 per job |
| Rockford, IL | $120–$280 per job |
| Lubbock, TX | $110–$260 per job |
| Columbus, GA | $110–$270 per job |
| Boulder, CO | $130–$310 per job |
| Green Bay, WI | $120–$280 per job |
| Evansville, IN | $120–$280 per job |
| South Bend, IN | $120–$280 per job |
| Roanoke, VA | $110–$270 per job |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $110–$270 per job |
| Wilmington, NC | $110–$270 per job |
| Stamford, CT | $120–$300 per job |
| Waco, TX | $110–$260 per job |
| Jersey City, NJ | $140–$330 per job |
| Duluth, MN | $120–$280 per job |
| Laredo, TX | $110–$260 per job |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $120–$280 per job |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $110–$250 per job |
| Amarillo, TX | $110–$270 per job |
| Erie, PA | $110–$270 per job |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $120–$290 per job |
| Fargo, ND | $120–$280 per job |
| Charleston, WV | $110–$250 per job |
| Norfolk, VA | $120–$280 per job |
| Macon, GA | $110–$270 per job |
| Champaign, IL | $120–$290 per job |
| Burlington, VT | $130–$300 per job |
| Topeka, KS | $110–$270 per job |
| Rochester, MN | $130–$310 per job |
| Athens, GA | $110–$270 per job |
| Las Cruces, NM | $110–$280 per job |
| Columbia, MO | $110–$280 per job |
| St. George, UT | $110–$260 per job |
| Hilo, HI | $120–$290 per job |
| Billings, MT | $120–$290 per job |
| Greenville, NC | $110–$270 per job |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $100–$240 per job |
| Santa Fe, NM | $120–$280 per job |
| Missoula, MT | $120–$290 per job |
| Cheyenne, WY | $120–$280 per job |
| Fairbanks, AK | $130–$310 per job |
Each city page has local rates by area, real-world carpet cleaning costs and a city-specific FAQ. Prices shown are the low end of the typical range, per job.
Alabama
- Birminghamfrom $110
- Huntsvillefrom $110
- Mobilefrom $110
- Montgomeryfrom $110
- Tuscaloosafrom $110
Arkansas
- Little Rockfrom $100
- Fayettevillefrom $100
California
- Los Angelesfrom $140
- San Franciscofrom $140
- Riversidefrom $130
- San Diegofrom $130
- Orange Countyfrom $130
- Oaklandfrom $140
- Sacramentofrom $130
- San Josefrom $140
- Fresnofrom $120
- Bakersfieldfrom $130
- Oxnardfrom $130
- Stocktonfrom $120
- Modestofrom $130
- Santa Rosafrom $120
- Visaliafrom $120
- Long Beachfrom $130
- Santa Barbarafrom $120
- Salinasfrom $130
Colorado
- Denverfrom $130
- Colorado Springsfrom $120
- Fort Collinsfrom $120
- Boulderfrom $130
Connecticut
- Hartfordfrom $120
- Bridgeportfrom $120
- New Havenfrom $120
- Stamfordfrom $120
Delaware
- Wilmingtonfrom $120
District of Columbia
- Washingtonfrom $140
Florida
- Miamifrom $120
- Tampafrom $120
- Orlandofrom $120
- Fort Lauderdalefrom $110
- Jacksonvillefrom $120
- West Palm Beachfrom $110
- St. Petersburgfrom $120
- Sarasotafrom $110
- Fort Myersfrom $110
- Lakelandfrom $110
- Daytona Beachfrom $110
- Palm Bayfrom $110
- Pensacolafrom $110
- Tallahasseefrom $110
- Gainesvillefrom $110
Georgia
Idaho
- Boisefrom $120
Indiana
- Indianapolisfrom $130
- Fort Waynefrom $120
- Evansvillefrom $120
- South Bendfrom $120
Iowa
- Des Moinesfrom $110
- Davenportfrom $120
- Cedar Rapidsfrom $120
Kentucky
- Louisvillefrom $120
- Lexingtonfrom $110
Louisiana
- New Orleansfrom $110
- Baton Rougefrom $100
- Lafayettefrom $100
- Shreveportfrom $100
Maine
- Portlandfrom $120
Maryland
- Baltimorefrom $120
Massachusetts
- Bostonfrom $140
- Worcesterfrom $130
- Springfieldfrom $120
Michigan
- Detroitfrom $130
- Grand Rapidsfrom $120
- Lansingfrom $120
- Flintfrom $110
- Ann Arborfrom $120
Minnesota
- Minneapolisfrom $130
- Duluthfrom $120
- Rochesterfrom $130
Mississippi
- Jacksonfrom $100
- Gulfportfrom $100
- Hattiesburgfrom $100
Missouri
- St. Louisfrom $120
- Kansas Cityfrom $120
- Springfieldfrom $110
- Columbiafrom $110
New Hampshire
- Manchesterfrom $120
New Jersey
- Newarkfrom $140
- Trentonfrom $120
- Jersey Cityfrom $140
- Atlantic Cityfrom $120
New Mexico
- Albuquerquefrom $120
- Las Crucesfrom $110
- Santa Fefrom $120
New York
North Carolina
- Charlottefrom $120
- Raleighfrom $130
- Greensborofrom $110
- Winston-Salemfrom $110
- Durhamfrom $120
- Fayettevillefrom $110
- Ashevillefrom $120
- Wilmingtonfrom $110
- Greenvillefrom $110
North Dakota
- Fargofrom $120
Ohio
- Cincinnatifrom $120
- Columbusfrom $110
- Clevelandfrom $120
- Daytonfrom $120
- Akronfrom $120
- Toledofrom $110
- Youngstownfrom $110
- Cantonfrom $110
Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Cityfrom $110
- Tulsafrom $110
Pennsylvania
- Philadelphiafrom $130
- Pittsburghfrom $130
- Harrisburgfrom $120
- Scrantonfrom $120
- Eriefrom $110
Rhode Island
- Providencefrom $120
South Carolina
- Greenvillefrom $110
- Columbiafrom $110
- Charlestonfrom $120
- Myrtle Beachfrom $110
South Dakota
- Sioux Fallsfrom $110
Tennessee
- Nashvillefrom $130
- Memphisfrom $120
- Knoxvillefrom $110
- Chattanoogafrom $110
Texas
- Dallasfrom $120
- Houstonfrom $110
- San Antoniofrom $120
- Fort Worthfrom $110
- Austinfrom $130
- McAllenfrom $110
- El Pasofrom $110
- Killeenfrom $110
- Corpus Christifrom $110
- Brownsvillefrom $110
- Beaumontfrom $110
- Arlingtonfrom $110
- Lubbockfrom $110
- Wacofrom $110
- Laredofrom $110
- Amarillofrom $110
Utah
- Salt Lake Cityfrom $130
- Provofrom $110
- Ogdenfrom $110
- St. Georgefrom $110
Vermont
- Burlingtonfrom $130
Virginia
- Virginia Beachfrom $120
- Richmondfrom $120
- Roanokefrom $110
- Norfolkfrom $120
West Virginia
- Charlestonfrom $110
Wyoming
- Cheyennefrom $120
Carpet cleaning prices, 2026
| Job | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet cleaning, 3 rooms plus a hallway (hot water extraction)per job | $125 | $200 | $300 |
| One room only (most companies' minimum charge)per job | $100 | $130 | $175 |
| Hot water extraction (steam), per room, 3 or more roomsper room | $40 | $55 | $90 |
| Low-moisture (dry) cleaning, per room, 3 or more roomsper room | $60 | $95 | $150 |
| Priced by area instead of by roomper sq ft | $0.20 | $0.30 | $0.50 |
| Whole home, 5 rooms plus a hallway (typical 3-bedroom house)per job | $200 | $280 | $450 |
| Large home, 7–8 roomsper job | $300 | $420 | $700 |
| Extra hallway, landing or walk-in closeteach | $15 | $25 | $40 |
| Carpeted stairs, per stepper step | $2 | $4 | $7 |
| Full staircase with a landingper staircase | $40 | $55 | $80 |
| Spot stain treatmentper stain | $25 | $45 | $100 |
| Pet urine and odor treatment (enzyme), per roomper room | $20 | $40 | $75 |
| Deep pet urine extraction (urine soaked into the pad)per area | $75 | $150 | $275 |
| Deodorizerper room | $15 | $20 | $40 |
| Carpet protector (Scotchgard-type)per room | $10 | $25 | $50 |
| Moving heavy furnitureper room | $10 | $25 | $75 |
| Move-out carpet cleaning, 2-bedroom apartmentper job | $175 | $275 | $475 |
| Sofa, 3 seats (upholstery cleaning)per piece | $100 | $160 | $275 |
| Armchair or reclinerper piece | $40 | $65 | $100 |
| Sectional sofa, about 5 seatsper piece | $150 | $250 | $450 |
| Area rug, synthetic, about 8 × 10 ft, cleaned in your homeper rug | $80 | $120 | $200 |
| Wool or Oriental rug, washed at the cleaner's plantper sq ft | $3 | $5 | $8 |
| Wet carpet: water extraction and dryingper job | $450 | $1,225 | $2,000 |
| Do-it-yourself machine rental, 24 hours, plus solutionper day | $40 | $60 | $125 |
Prices verified November 2026 · Cross-referenced against 73+ American pricing sources · See methodology
National average prices. Select a city above for location-specific pricing.
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Carpet cleaning jobs compared: rooms, homes, pets and upholstery
These are whole-job or per-item prices, labor included.
| Job type | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| One room only (minimum charge) | $100–$175 per job | A single spill or one high-traffic room |
| 3 rooms plus a hallway (steam) | $125–$300 per job | The most common job; a typical apartment or the main rooms of a house |
| Whole home, 5 rooms plus a hallway | $200–$450 per job | A yearly clean of a typical 3-bedroom house |
| Move-out clean, 2-bedroom apartment | $175–$475 per job | Renters who need a receipt for the landlord |
| Low-moisture (dry) cleaning | $60–$150 per room | Rooms you need back fast; some wool carpet |
| Pet urine deep extraction | $75–$275 per area | Urine that has soaked into the pad |
| Upholstery: three-seat sofa | $100–$275 per piece | Sofas whose tag says W (water) or S (solvent) cleaning |
| Wool or Oriental rug at the plant | $3–$8 per sq ft | Wool, silk and hand-knotted rugs |
For most homes, a yearly steam clean of the rooms you use most is the right job. Add pet treatment only where you need it, and bundle the sofa or rugs into the same visit to avoid a second minimum charge.
Common carpet cleaning jobs and what they cost (2026)
Most calls are a few rooms and a hallway: $125–$300. A single room costs $100–$175, and a whole 5-room house $200–$450.
| Block or rate | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| One room, steam cleaned (under 1 hr) | $100 | $130 | $175 |
| 3 rooms plus a hallway (1–2 hrs) | $125 | $200 | $300 |
| 5 rooms plus a hallway (2–3 hrs) | $200 | $280 | $450 |
| Large home, 7–8 rooms (2–4 hrs) | $300 | $420 | $700 |
| Full staircase with a landing | $40 | $55 | $80 |
| Move-out clean, 2-bedroom apartment | $175 | $275 | $475 |
| Three-seat sofa (30–60 min) | $100 | $160 | $275 |
| Sectional sofa | $150 | $250 | $450 |
| 8 × 10 synthetic rug in your home | $80 | $120 | $200 |
| Wet carpet: water extraction and drying | $450 | $1,225 | $2,000 |
Times are typical hours on site, at about 20–30 minutes a room. Carpet then needs about 6 to 10 hours to dry after hot water extraction. What moves a quote most: how many rooms, how a room is counted, stairs, pets and the method.
Steam vs dry cleaning vs a rental machine: which do you need?
The right method depends on how dirty the carpet is and how fast you need the room back.
| Factor | Hot water extraction (steam) | Low-moisture (dry) | Rental machine (DIY) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $40–$90 a room | $60–$150 a room | $40–$125 a day with solution |
| How deep it cleans | Deepest; flushes dirt from the base of the fibers | Good for surface and light soil | Less heat and suction than a pro machine |
| Drying time | About 6–10 hours | Faster, often the same day | Often longer; easy to over-wet |
| Carpet warranty | What Mohawk and Shaw ask for | May not count; check your warranty | Does not count as a professional clean |
| Best for | Yearly deep cleans, pets, allergies | Rooms you need back fast; some wool | Small areas between pro cleans |
Book a professional hot water extraction every 12 to 18 months, keep the receipt for your warranty, and use low-moisture cleaning or a rental machine for touch-ups in between.
Upkeep: what carpet costs to keep clean each year
Mohawk's warranty asks for a professional clean at least every 18 months, and Shaw advises one every 12 to 18 months. Homes with pets or small kids often need more.
| Item | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| One professional clean a year (3 rooms plus a hallway) | $125 | $200 | $300 |
| Two cleans a year (pets or small kids) | $250 | $400 | $600 |
| Protector after each clean (3 rooms) | $30 | $75 | $150 |
| Sofa cleaned once a year | $100 | $160 | $275 |
| One rental-machine day between pro cleans | $40 | $60 | $125 |
| Spot and pet cleaner sprays (yearly) | $20 | $35 | $55 |
For a typical home, $200 a year keeps the carpet clean and the warranty valid. That's small next to replacing carpet, which runs thousands of dollars for a few rooms.
What affects carpet cleaning costs
Number and size of rooms
Most companies count a room as up to about 200–300 sq ft. One room costs $100–$175; three rooms and a hallway $125–$300; five rooms $200–$450.
Cleaning method
Steam (hot water extraction) runs $40–$90 a room and is what carpet makers ask for. Low-moisture (dry) cleaning runs $60–$150 a room and dries faster.
Pets and stains
Enzyme treatment for pet urine runs $20–$75 a room, deep extraction $75–$275 an area, and spot stains $25–$100 each.
Stairs and extras
Stairs run $2–$7 a step, extra halls $15–$40 each, protector $10–$50 and furniture moving $10–$75 a room.
Carpet type
Nylon and other synthetic carpets usually cost the least to clean. Wool, cotton and other natural fibers often cost about 30% more.
Your city
Local pay and the size of the metro move the price. A typical three-room job runs about $250 in Seattle and $220 in Denver, against $180 in Houston and $180 in Phoenix.
How to save on carpet cleaning
- Book enough rooms to clear the minimum.One room costs $100–$175; three rooms and a hallway only $125–$300.
- Move small furniture yourself.Clearing chairs and small tables first can save $10–$75 a room.
- Ask how big a room is.A low per-room price that only covers 150 sq ft can cost more than a higher one that covers 300.
- Watch for bait specials.Very low per-room prices often come with high charges for stairs, pre-treatment or protector. Get the full price in writing first.
- Bundle the sofa and rugs.A sofa costs $100–$275 either way, but adding it to a carpet visit avoids a second trip and minimum charge.
- Clean on a schedule.A professional clean every 12 to 18 months meets Mohawk's warranty rule and Shaw's advice.
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Carpet cleaning cost in the USA by home size
One room costs about $100–$175, three rooms and a hallway $125–$300, a 5-room house $200–$450, and a large 7–8 room home $300–$700.
Worked example: a 3-bedroom house with a living room, a family room, a hallway and one carpeted staircase with a landing. Five rooms and a hall ($280 typical) plus the stairs ($55) come to about $335. Protector in every room adds $125.
Set-up, travel and the minimum cost the same for any job, so one room costs $130 and five rooms only $280. Each extra room adds only about $40 once you pass three.
What a carpet cleaning quote should include
A real carpet cleaning quote answers all of these. If it answers fewer than six, ask before the crew starts.
- How they count a room, and the size limit
- The method (hot water extraction or low-moisture) and the machine (truck-mounted or portable)
- Pre-treatment of traffic lanes and normal spots
- Prices for stairs, halls, closets and moving furniture
- Prices for pet urine treatment, deodorizer and protector, room by room
- Any minimum charge, service fee or trip fee
- Upholstery and rug prices if you want them done
- Expected drying time, and whether they leave fans
- The re-clean guarantee and a written receipt for your warranty
Carpet cleaning cost: FAQ
How much does carpet cleaning cost?
$125–$300 for three rooms and a hallway in 2026, with $200 typical. A single room costs $100–$175; the biggest, dirtiest jobs can reach $475.
How much does carpet cleaning cost per room?
$40–$90 a room for steam cleaning when you book three or more rooms. Most companies count a room as up to about 200–300 sq ft.
How much does carpet cleaning cost per square foot?
$0.20–$0.50 a square foot when a company prices by area.
How much does it cost to clean a whole house?
About $200–$450 for five rooms and a hallway, a typical 3-bedroom house, and $300–$700 for a large 7–8 room home. Stairs add $40–$80.
How much does pet urine removal cost?
$20–$75 a room for an enzyme treatment, or $75–$275 an area when urine has soaked into the pad.
How much does it cost to clean a sofa?
$100–$275 for a three-seat sofa, $40–$100 for an armchair and $150–$450 for a sectional.
Is steam or dry carpet cleaning better?
Steam (hot water extraction) cleans deeper and is what carpet makers ask for, at $40–$90 a room. Low-moisture (dry) cleaning, $60–$150 a room, dries faster.
How often should carpet be cleaned?
Every 12 to 18 months for most homes. Shaw advises that schedule, and Mohawk's warranty asks for a professional clean at least every 18 months. Homes with pets or small kids often clean every 6 to 12 months.
Can my landlord charge me for carpet cleaning when I move out?
It depends on your state's deposit law and your lease, so read both. In California, a landlord can't make you pay, or take money from your deposit, for professional carpet cleaning unless it's reasonably needed to return the unit to its move-in condition, not counting ordinary wear and tear. A move-out clean of a 2-bedroom apartment runs $175–$475.
What's the average carpet cleaning cost in 2026?
Across the cost guides and price lists we checked, the typical three-room job is $200. Cleaning workers' median pay rose 2.5% in a year (BLS, May 2024 to May 2025).
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