Techniques are disclosed for cost modeling in a data flow model. In one embodiment, a data flow model is provided that includes multiple data flow objects, each data flow object including one or more data units. Each data flow object represents a respective information asset. Quality and cost components are assigned to each data unit of a first data flow object. A cost property is determined for each data unit of the first data flow object, based on the assigned components. An object cost property is also determined for the first data flow object. The determined cost properties may be used to identify information assets that are more cost-effective to upgrade, relative to other information assets.