Most Affordable Flooring Options: Rubber, Foam, Vinyl, Carpet & More

Purchasing flooring can be quite the investment, especially if you’re looking to cover a large area. But as you explore the different flooring products available, you will find that some cost less than others. No matter what type of flooring you want to buy, you should be able to find some lower-cost options that can help to save you money.

What Is the Most Affordable Flooring?

Whether you’re looking to install flooring in your home or business, these affordable products can give you some ideas. Since the cost of flooring can vary so widely depending on the material that it’s made of and the product’s design, we’ve broken the pricing down according to flooring type.

Foam Flooring

Interlocking foam mats and tiles are highly popular not only because of their affordability, but also because of the cushion and shock absorption that these products offer. When you shop for foam flooring, you’ll have a choice of many different tile sizes and thicknesses, as well as different colors and finishes.


Add color and comfort anywhere with our Foam Floor Mats 5/8 Premium products. These foam mats for kids are ideal for kids rooms, trade show booths, or indoor spaces that needs a softer surface for work or playing.

General Foam Tiles Average Cost: $1.99 per sq. ft. and below


More specialized foam products cost significantly more. Our Home Wrestling MMA Mats cost about $4.95 per square foot, but includes features like built-in antimicrobials and a non-slip vinyl surface.

Specialized Foam Flooring Average Cost: $4.95 per sq. ft.

Rubber Flooring

Rubber flooring is available in mat, tile, and roll form. Prices depend on the foam, the quality of the rubber used, and the product’s thickness and any other key features.

One of the most affordable products is the Rubber Flooring Roll Geneva ¼ Inch Regrind. That rubber roll costs just $1.63 per square foot, partially due to its thin design.

General Rubber Flooring Average Cost: $1.63 per sq. ft.



At the other end of the spectrum is the Max Playground Rubber Tile Black 2.5 Inch. These tiles are specialty tiles designed for playgrounds and feature ASTM fall height ratings, which means they carry a higher price tag of $12.27 per square foot.

Extra Thick Rubber Tiles Average Cost: $12.27 per sq. ft.

Vinyl Flooring

Our vinyl flooring products encompass vinyl tiles, commercial sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl planks, and vinyl covered mats. These products tend to be highly durable, but they also cost more than many other types of flooring.

The most affordable vinyl product is our Gym Floor Cover 32 oz Vinyl. This cover features a 3-ply vinyl material for durability, and costs about $1.50 per square foot, ideal for covering larger areas.

General Vinyl Floor Cover Average Cost: $1.50 per sq. ft.



Vinyl products like the Portable Dance Floor Seamless Wood Grain Cam Lock ½ Inch can cost significantly more. That commercial-grade portable dance floor costs about $57.92 per square foot and features a vinyl top for durability.

High End Portable Dance Floor Average Cost: $57.92 per sq. ft.

Plastic Flooring Tiles

Plastic flooring tiles are designed for both residential and specialty commercial installations. They can range in price from around $2 to more than $28 per square foot.

One of the most affordable options is the TurboTile Perforated Garage Tile ⅝ Inch. These tiles interlock together and are slip-resistant, and they cost about $3.50 per square foot.

General Plastic Floor Tiles Average Cost: $4.05 per sq. ft.



The specialty Entrance Linear Tile ½ Inch costs significantly more. It’s made from recycled materials and is designed for outdoor use, so it costs $28.35 per square foot.

Specialized Waterproof Outdoor Tile Average Cost: $28.35 per sq. ft.

Artificial Grass Turf

Astro turf and artificial grass products can help you to save money on the cost of maintaining real turf. They’re a practical, popular solution for sports and pet flooring, and prices range from just over $2 to more than $24 per square foot.

Our most economical product is the All Sport Artificial Grass Turf Roll ¼ Inch. The roll delivers a natural reaction and costs $2.17 per square foot.

General Artificial Turf Roll Average Cost: $2.17 per sq. ft.



The Rage Turf dBTile ⅖ Inch is a highly specialized tile that features a rubber backing area. It’s durable and slip resistant and costs $25.52 per square foot.

Specialized Rubber Backed Turf Tile Average Cost: $25.52 per sq. ft.

Carpet Tiles

Carpet tiles feature an easier installation than rolled carpet. They are available in a variety of sizes, thicknesses, and styles, and many are suitable for commercial applications.

The Style Smart Highland Carpet Tile is the most economical tile available. The fibers are made of recycled purified plastic bottles, and the tiles cost $1.04 per square foot.

General Carpet Tiles Average Cost: $1.04 per sq. ft.



The specialty Entrance Linear Tile ½ Inch costs significantly more. It’s made from recycled materials and is designed for outdoor use, so it costs $28.35 per square foot.

Specialized Waterproof Outdoor Tile Average Cost: $28.35 per sq. ft.

Traditional Flooring

Our traditional flooring encompasses popular choices like luxury vinyl planks, luxury vinyl tiles, engineered hardwood, and laminate flooring products. These products feature beautiful finishes and are used in residential and commercial settings.

Prices start at just over $3.00 per square foot in this category. The Magnitude Premium Laminate Flooring Planks costs $3.75 per square foot and features highly realistic wood details for a luxurious appearance.

General Laminate Planks Average Cost: $3.75 per sq. ft.



Our most expensive product is the Florence Green Engineered Hardwood Flooring. This flooring features a distinctive handscraped look and costs $7.34 per square foot.

Engineered Hardwood Plank Flooring Average Cost: $7.34 per sq. ft.

Tips for Choosing the Most Affordable Flooring

While it might be tempting to choose the flooring product that is most affordable, the best and most affordable flooring for your project will depend on multiple factors. It’s important to consider the flooring quality, whether it’s a good fit for your intended use, and whether it has the qualities you need, like waterproof properties or moisture-resistance.


Keep in mind that the flooring’s installation will also affect its overall cost. A product that you can install yourself will save you money over the cost of a professional installation, and if you might need to remove the flooring in the future, then a product that allows for a temporary installation is a product that you can use again to save money.