Nylon vs Polyester Carpet: Compared
Updated July 2026 · Pricing data from Floormath's flooring cost model
Nylon Cut-Pile Carpet: The gold standard for living rooms and family rooms. Nylon holds its texture for 10–15 years without crushing. Hypoallergenic, cleans well, handles heavy traffic. Mohawk, Shaw, Stainmaster all make excellent nylon carpet.
Polyester Cut-Pile Carpet: Budget-friendly, soft, huge color selection. Naturally stain-resistant (low moisture absorption). The catch: polyester mats and crushes in high-traffic areas within 3–5 years. Great for bedrooms, poor for living rooms.
Head to head
| Nylon Cut-Pile Carpet | Polyester Cut-Pile Carpet | |
|---|---|---|
| Spec | Nylon fiber · Cut pile · 35–45 oz face weight | Polyester fiber · Cut pile · 25–35 oz face weight |
| Material/sf | $2.49–$6.49 | $0.89–$2.99 |
| 1,000 sf installed | $4,854–$9,724 | $2,869–$5,599 |
| Typical 1,000 sf total | $6,739 | $3,959 |
The bottom line
Polyester Cut-Pile Carpet saves about $2,780 on a 1,000 sq ft job at typical pricing. Whether the upgrade is worth it comes down to traffic: The gold standard for living rooms and family rooms. Nylon holds its texture for 10–15 years without crushing. Hypoallergenic, cleans well, handles heavy traffic. Mohawk, Shaw, Stainmaster all make excellent nylon carpet.
See the exact price gap for your square footage
Run the free calculator →Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper: Nylon Cut-Pile Carpet or Polyester Cut-Pile Carpet?
Polyester Cut-Pile Carpet — by about $2,780 on a typical 1,000 sq ft installed project ($6,739 vs $3,959).
Is the upgrade worth it?
If the space sees heavy traffic, pets, or moisture, the pricier tier usually earns its premium in lifespan; in a low-traffic bedroom, the cheaper tier performs nearly identically.