Is a metal roof cheaper than shingles?

No, not up front. A metal roof usually costs two to three times more than an asphalt-shingle roof to install, and asphalt remains the cheapest mainstream roofing by a wide margin.

Metal can be cheaper over the life of the house, because it commonly lasts 40 to 70 years versus 20 to 30 for asphalt, so you may pay for one metal roof instead of two or three shingle roofs. Lower cooling bills and potential insurance credits narrow the gap further in hot, storm-prone climates.

If your priority is the lowest install cost, shingles win; if it is longevity and lifetime cost, metal is the stronger value.