A kitchen remodel is the most popular home improvement project in the US — and one of the most variable in cost. A basic refresh costs $15,000. A full gut renovation with custom cabinets costs $80,000–$130,000. The same physical space, completely different budgets.
The difference isn't random. It comes down to cabinet quality, countertop selection, appliance tier, whether you're moving plumbing or electrical, and who you hire. This guide breaks down the real 2026 numbers — by scope, by category, and by state — so you know what to expect before you talk to a single contractor.
Based on 2026 RSMeans data and completed project averages across all 50 states, here's where kitchen remodel costs land nationally:
By scope: - Minor refresh (paint, hardware, fixtures): $5,000–$15,000 - Mid-range remodel (new cabinets, countertops, appliances): $25,000–$55,000 - Major remodel (full gut, custom cabinets, premium finishes): $60,000–$100,000 - Luxury/custom remodel: $100,000–$180,000+
By kitchen size: - Small kitchen (under 70 sq ft): $15,000–$45,000 - Medium kitchen (70–150 sq ft): $25,000–$75,000 - Large kitchen (150–300 sq ft): $45,000–$130,000 - Open-concept / chef's kitchen: $75,000–$180,000+
The national average for a complete mid-range kitchen remodel in a medium-sized kitchen is $38,000–$52,000. Most homeowners land somewhere in this range.
For a $45,000 mid-range kitchen remodel, here's where every dollar goes:
Cabinets — $8,000–$25,000 (30–40% of budget) The single largest cost driver in any kitchen remodel. Stock cabinets (IKEA, Home Depot) run $3,000–$8,000. Semi-custom cabinets run $8,000–$18,000. Full custom cabinets run $18,000–$40,000+. Cabinet quality sets the tone for everything else — don't cut corners here and splurge on countertops.
Countertops — $3,000–$12,000 (8–15%) Laminate: $1,500–$3,500. Butcher block: $2,000–$5,000. Quartz: $4,000–$10,000. Marble: $6,000–$14,000. Granite: $3,500–$9,000. Quartz is the most popular choice in 2026 — durable, low-maintenance, wide color range.
Appliances — $3,000–$15,000 (10–20%) Entry-level stainless suite: $3,000–$5,000. Mid-range (Samsung, LG, Bosch): $5,000–$10,000. Premium (Wolf, Sub-Zero, Miele): $15,000–$40,000+. Appliances are easy to upgrade later — many designers recommend buying mid-range appliances and investing in cabinets and countertops instead.
Labor — $8,000–$20,000 (20–35%) Labor is the second-largest cost category. Demolition, installation, and finishing labor for a full kitchen remodel. This is where location matters most — labor in California and New York runs 40–60% higher than the national average.
Flooring — $2,000–$8,000 (5–10%) Tile: $3,000–$8,000. Hardwood: $4,000–$10,000. LVP (luxury vinyl plank): $2,000–$5,000. LVP is the fastest-growing choice — durable, water-resistant, and far cheaper than hardwood.
Plumbing — $1,500–$6,000 (4–8%) Moving a sink or adding a pot filler requires a licensed plumber. If you're keeping plumbing in the same location, costs are minimal ($500–$1,500 for fixture swaps). Moving a gas line adds $800–$2,500.
Electrical — $1,000–$4,500 (3–6%) New outlets, under-cabinet lighting, pendant lights over an island, and dedicated circuits for appliances. If you're adding an island or moving the range, budget for electrical work.
Backsplash — $800–$3,500 (2–5%) Subway tile: $800–$2,000. Mosaic tile: $1,500–$4,000. Stone slab: $3,000–$6,000. Backsplash is a high-visibility, relatively low-cost opportunity to add character.
Permits — $500–$2,500 Required for structural changes, electrical panel upgrades, plumbing moves, and in some jurisdictions, any remodel over a certain dollar value. Always pull permits — unpermitted work creates problems at resale.
Labor rates are the primary driver of state-to-state variation. Here's how kitchen remodel costs compare across major markets for a mid-range remodel:
Highest cost markets: - California (San Francisco Bay Area): $55,000–$95,000 - New York City metro: $50,000–$90,000 - Hawaii: $60,000–$100,000+ - Massachusetts (Boston): $48,000–$80,000 - Washington (Seattle): $45,000–$75,000
Near national average: - Colorado (Denver): $40,000–$65,000 - Virginia (Northern VA/DC): $42,000–$70,000 - Florida (Miami): $38,000–$65,000 - Arizona (Phoenix): $35,000–$58,000 - Oregon (Portland): $38,000–$62,000
Below average: - Texas (Dallas/Houston): $30,000–$50,000 - Tennessee (Nashville): $28,000–$48,000 - Georgia (Atlanta): $28,000–$46,000 - North Carolina (Charlotte/Raleigh): $27,000–$45,000 - Ohio (Columbus): $25,000–$42,000 - Mississippi/Arkansas: $18,000–$32,000
The same kitchen remodel that costs $45,000 in Texas costs $70,000+ in San Francisco — driven entirely by local labor rates and contractor overhead.
Moving plumbing or gas: This is the single biggest cost multiplier. Keeping your sink and range in the same location saves $3,000–$8,000 vs moving them. Adding a gas line for a range costs $800–$2,500 plus permits.
Structural changes: Opening a wall to create an open-concept kitchen requires structural engineering, a beam, and load-bearing wall work. Budget $5,000–$20,000 for a single wall removal depending on whether it's load-bearing.
Custom cabinets: The jump from semi-custom to fully custom cabinets adds $10,000–$25,000. Semi-custom cabinets from quality manufacturers (KraftMaid, Merillat, Diamond) deliver 90% of the result at 50–60% of the cost.
Appliance upgrades: The difference between mid-range and premium appliances is $10,000–$30,000. Premium appliances look great — but they don't add proportional resale value in most markets.
Unexpected discoveries: Opening walls in older kitchens reveals surprises — outdated electrical (knob-and-tube wiring), galvanized pipes, asbestos in old floor tile, or mold. Budget 15–20% contingency for any remodel in a home built before 1980.
Invest in cabinets, save on appliances. Cabinets define the look and feel of a kitchen more than any other element. Buy the best cabinets you can afford, then choose mid-range appliances. You can always upgrade appliances later — you can't easily swap cabinets.
Keep the layout. Moving the sink, range, or refrigerator adds $3,000–$10,000 to your project for plumbing, gas, and electrical work. If your current layout is functional, keep it. The money saved can go toward better finishes.
Choose quartz over marble. Quartz offers marble-like aesthetics with dramatically better durability and maintenance. At $4,000–$10,000 vs $6,000–$14,000, quartz also saves money. Most kitchen designers recommend quartz for functionality.
Get three bids minimum. Kitchen remodel pricing varies 20–30% between contractors for the same scope. The middle bid is usually the most reliable. Be wary of bids 25%+ below the others — they usually signal missing scope or planned change orders.
Phase the project if needed. Cabinets and countertops are the highest-ROI investment. If budget is tight, start with cabinets and countertops, live with the existing appliances and flooring for a year, then complete the remodel in phase 2.
ROI consideration: Kitchen remodels return 60–80% of cost at resale in most markets. A $45,000 mid-range remodel adds $27,000–$36,000 to home value on average. The primary value is livability, not ROI — budget accordingly.