A walk-in shower usually costs more than replacing a bathtub. Swapping a standard tub in the same spot runs about $1,400 to $4,200, while a new walk-in shower costs about $2,500 to $6,000 for a prefab unit and $8,000 to $15,000 or more for custom tile. Converting a tub to a walk-in shower typically lands between $6,000 and $15,000.
Cost is only part of the decision. Space, safety, who uses the bathroom, and resale value all matter. This guide compares the costs side by side, then walks through the rest. To price your own project, try our walk-in shower cost calculator or bathtub replacement cost calculator.
Cost Comparison: Walk-In Shower vs. Bathtub
Average installation costs in 2027
| Project | Typical installed cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Refinish existing tub | $350 – $700 | Cosmetic only; tub must be in good shape |
| Tub liner or acrylic surround | $1,500 – $4,000 | Installs over the old tub and walls |
| Replace standard tub (same spot) | $1,400 – $4,200 | More with new tile walls |
| New tub-shower combo unit | $2,500 – $6,000 | One-piece or multi-piece acrylic |
| Freestanding soaking tub | $2,500 – $8,000 | Needs space and sometimes floor reinforcement |
| Prefab walk-in shower | $2,500 – $6,000 | Fastest walk-in option |
| Tub-to-shower conversion | $6,000 – $15,000 | Most common shower upgrade |
| Custom tiled walk-in shower | $8,000 – $15,000+ | Curbless designs often $9,000 – $20,000+ |
| Walk-in tub | $5,000 – $25,000 | Includes installation; models vary widely |
The cheapest option is keeping your tub: refinishing or a liner refreshes it for a fraction of the cost of a new shower. If you want a shower, a prefab unit in the existing tub space is the budget route, while tile, glass, and a curbless entry add the most cost.
Material and labor breakdown
On a typical tub-to-shower conversion, labor is often 40% to 60% of the bill. Demolition, plumbing, waterproofing, and tile all take skilled time, and tile work in particular is priced by the square foot.
- Plumbers: about $75 to $150 per hour, more for moving drains or valves.
- Tile setters: about $10 to $25 per square foot for labor, depending on tile size and pattern.
- Electricians: about $65 to $125 per hour for lighting, outlets, or a new fan.
Use our tile calculator to estimate tile quantities and installed cost for shower walls and floors.
Hidden costs to watch for
- Permits: about $100 to $500 when plumbing or electrical work is involved.
- Moving the drain or valve: about $500 to $2,000.
- Subfloor or wall repair: about $300 to $1,000 if water damage turns up during demolition.
- Curbless entry: recessing the floor for a zero-threshold shower can add $1,000 to $3,000.
- Glass doors: from under $300 for a framed slider to more than $3,500 for custom frameless glass. Price yours with our shower door cost calculator.
- Waterproofing: essential for tiled showers and usually part of the tile bid. Skipping it leads to expensive leaks later.
Space, Accessibility, and Lifestyle Fit
The decision between a walk-in shower and bathtub goes beyond cost. Your bathroom’s size, how easy it is to use, and your household’s needs all help decide which option fits.
Which option saves more space?
Walk-in showers generally take up less floor space than bathtubs. A standard tub needs about 60 inches of length and 30 to 32 inches of width, while a walk-in shower can fit in a 36 by 36 inch space. In many hall bathrooms, people keep the same 60-inch alcove and turn it into a roomier shower with a bench or niche.
Accessibility for aging in place
Walk-in showers are a strong choice if you plan to stay in your home as you age. They remove the high tub wall that makes stepping in risky for people with mobility issues, and curbless designs work with wheelchairs and walkers. See our ADA bathroom requirements guide for clearances and fixture heights.
- Benches for sitting while showering
- Grab bars for stability
- Slip-resistant floor tile
- Handheld or adjustable showerheads
If you’d rather soak, a walk-in tub is another option. Our walk-in tub cost calculator compares models and installation costs.
Family needs and daily routines
Bathtubs still make sense for many households. Families with young children usually want a tub for bath time, and pet owners find tubs handy for washing dogs. A tub-shower combo works well for mixed households: parents can bathe young kids while others take quick showers.
Design, Features, and Customization
Current design trends
Larger walk-in showers, large-format tile with fewer grout lines, floating vanities, and warm natural materials are popular right now. See our bathroom remodeling trends guide for more.
Customization options for both
Walk-in showers can include rain and handheld showerheads, built-in benches and niches, linear drains, and doorless or frameless glass designs. Bathtubs come in alcove, drop-in, and freestanding styles, in acrylic, cast iron, or stone resin, with options like air jets and heated surfaces.
Maintenance and cleaning differences
Tiled showers need regular grout cleaning and periodic resealing, and glass doors need frequent wiping to prevent soap scum and hard-water spots. Acrylic tubs, tub-shower units, and solid-surface shower walls have smooth, non-porous surfaces that are easier to keep clean. Freestanding tubs are easy to wipe down but harder to clean behind if placed near a wall.
Resale Value and Long-Term ROI
What buyers are looking for
Many buyers prefer a large walk-in shower in the primary bathroom, but most still expect at least one bathtub somewhere in the house, especially families with young children. Removing the home’s only tub can narrow your pool of buyers.
Effect on home value
Bathroom remodels typically recover a good share of their cost at resale, and a clean, updated bathroom helps a home sell faster. The safest approach is a walk-in shower in the primary bath and a tub in a secondary bath.
Making the right choice for your future
- If you plan to age in place, a low-threshold or curbless walk-in shower is the most practical choice.
- If you have young kids or plan to sell in a few years, keep at least one tub in the house.
- If budget is tight, refinish or reline the tub and save the shower conversion for later.
Conclusion
For most homeowners, replacing or refreshing a bathtub is the cheaper option, while a walk-in shower costs more but saves space and is safer to use as you age. The best setup for many homes is both: a walk-in shower in the primary bathroom and at least one tub elsewhere. Price both options with our bathroom cost calculators before you get quotes.
Frequently asked questions
Is a walk-in shower cheaper than a bathtub?
Not usually. Replacing a standard bathtub in the same spot costs about $1,400 to $4,200, while a new walk-in shower runs about $2,500 to $6,000 for a prefab unit and $8,000 to $15,000 or more for custom tile. Converting a tub to a walk-in shower typically costs $6,000 to $15,000.
How much does it cost to convert a tub to a walk-in shower?
Most tub-to-shower conversions cost $6,000 to $15,000. Prefab shower kits in the existing tub space sit at the low end, while custom tile, glass doors, and moving the drain push the price higher.
Does removing a bathtub hurt resale value?
It can if it’s the only tub in the house. Families with young children often want at least one tub. Replacing the tub in a primary bathroom with a large walk-in shower is usually fine as long as another bathroom has a tub.
Which is better for seniors, a walk-in shower or a walk-in tub?
For most people who can stand safely, a low-threshold or curbless walk-in shower with a bench and grab bars is cheaper and easier to use. Walk-in tubs suit people who want to soak or need to sit while bathing, but they cost more and you wait while the tub fills and drains.
Does a walk-in shower take less space than a tub?
Usually. A standard tub needs about 60 by 30 inches, while a walk-in shower can fit in a 36 by 36 inch space. Many people use the same 60-inch alcove for a larger shower instead.
Estimates are national average costs for 2027 planning and are not quotes. See our disclaimer and affiliate disclosure.
Getting quotes from a national brand? See what a tub replacement or tub-to-shower conversion typically costs from Jacuzzi compared with a local contractor in our Jacuzzi Bath Remodel cost calculator.
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