Permit record · Illinois
What Chicago paid for a solar panels
Not an estimate. We read 3,655 permits filed with Chicago and took the value written on each one.
Half of these jobs landed between $12,770 and $26,476. One in ten came in under $7,695; one in ten ran past $36,000.
The same job, other cities
| City | Median | Typical range | Permits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $19,535 | $12,770 – $26,476 | 3,655 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $51,300 | $15,271 – $84,000 | 181 |
| New York, NY | $39,647 | $28,009 – $55,179 | 16,961 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $33,471 | $16,800 – $48,310 | 88 |
| Marin County, CA | $32,222 | $20,119 – $48,190 | 767 |
| Corona, CA | $32,000 | $20,763 – $46,635 | 586 |
| New Orleans, LA | $27,983 | $18,200 – $46,332 | 1,341 |
| Sacramento, CA | $26,189 | $20,000 – $36,692 | 718 |
| San Francisco, CA | $25,950 | $14,000 – $42,251 | 406 |
| Kansas City, MO | $24,785 | $15,000 – $35,925 | 202 |
| Montgomery County, MD | $24,000 | $16,000 – $34,510 | 3,315 |
| Detroit, MI | $18,692 | $9,488 – $29,407 | 204 |
| Anaheim, CA | $13,392 | $9,000 – $20,000 | 378 |
| Everett, WA | $10,206 | $7,265 – $23,246 | 92 |
Across the cities we cover, the same job runs from $10,206 in Everett to $51,300 in Los Angeles — a 5.0× spread. See all cities →
Other projects in Chicago
| Project | Median | Permits |
|---|---|---|
| Garage | $25,000 | 2,461 |
| Roof Replacement | $22,940 | 1,962 |
| Interior Remodel | $100,000 | 1,239 |
| Home Addition | $150,000 | 1,168 |
| Kitchen Remodel | $25,000 | 1,046 |
| Deck or Patio | $28,000 | 991 |
| Electrical Panel Upgrade | $5,000 | 624 |
| Bathroom Remodel | $24,000 | 590 |
| HVAC Replacement | $20,000 | 488 |
| Water Heater | $6,048 | 309 |
| Siding or Stucco | $19,150 | 58 |
| Window Replacement | $20,000 | 57 |
| ADU / Guest House | $94,100 | 53 |
| Foundation Repair | $52,850 | 47 |
| Swimming Pool | $100,000 | 31 |
Source
Source: City of Chicago Department of Buildings — Building Permits. Permits issued in the last 24 months, classified by the work described on the permit. The figure is the declared value of the work — what the applicant reported to the city. It excludes work done without a permit and can sit below a final invoice. Read the full methodology. Data refreshed 2026-09-24.