True Cost Index
Kitchen Remodeling cost by city.
Kitchen Remodeling true cost benchmarks across 15 cities. Cost range, lowest realistic price, margin, and bid fairness inputs by city. Writing about costs? See the citeable kitchen remodel cost data → Part of the 2026 Remodeling Cost Index.
Data verified Jul 2026 · v2026-07-10
How this number is calculated
The kitchen remodeling figure is built from parts, never scraped: published labor hours, this metro’s wages with burden, current material prices, permit data where available, and overhead a working shop actually carries. Cost index version: 2026-07-10. Updated Jul 2026.
Sources: BLS, NKBA, Remodeling Magazine, Craftsman
Reviewed by: Leonard "Chuck" Thompson
Read methodology →Data Sources Used On This Page
- Independent FatBook v3 cost index for Kitchen Remodeling cost index.
- BLS OEWS wage inputs (https://www.bls.gov/oes/) and FRED PPI material inflation (https://fred.stlouisfed.org/) references.
- Craftsman labor-hour references and contractor overhead benchmarks.
- Verified permit/source data from PermitCalculator.com and permits_compiled where available.
Cost-index version: 2026-07-10
Updated: Jul 2026
Sources: BLS, NKBA, Remodeling Magazine, Craftsman
Reviewed by: Leonard "Chuck" Thompson
Estimate Scope
What the kitchen remodeling benchmark includes.
Included in the benchmark
- Kitchen Remodel (Combined) as the headline cost-index scope
- labor-hour assumptions, regional wage inputs, materials, overhead, and permit data where available
- low, average, high, lowest realistic price, margin, and savings benchmarks from the FatBook cost index
Not included automatically
- hidden damage, change orders, emergency service premiums, or unusual site access conditions
- contractor financing approval, warranties, provider recommendations, or guaranteed final quotes
- permit rulings for a specific address unless the city permit panel lists verified local data
| City | Range | Average | Low | High | Floor | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $27,950 | $24,790 | $31,351 | $24,790 | 20% | |
| Austin | $28,406 | $24,850 | $32,236 | $24,850 | 22.2% | |
| Chicago | $33,901 | $30,920 | $37,111 | $30,920 | 15.6% | |
| Dallas | $27,465 | $24,422 | $30,739 | $24,422 | 19.6% | |
| Denver | $30,519 | $27,190 | $34,102 | $27,190 | 19.3% | |
| Houston | $26,857 | $23,808 | $30,138 | $23,808 | 20.1% | |
| Kansas City | $27,779 | $25,207 | $30,551 | $25,207 | 16.4% | |
| Los Angeles | $33,403 | $29,769 | $37,317 | $29,769 | 19.2% | |
| Miami | $26,043 | $23,844 | $28,432 | $23,844 | 15.1% | |
| Minneapolis | $31,963 | $28,963 | $35,195 | $28,963 | 16.6% | |
| New York | $37,014 | $33,086 | $41,248 | $33,086 | 18.8% | |
| Philadelphia | $31,713 | $28,618 | $35,046 | $28,618 | 17.3% | |
| Phoenix | $28,819 | $25,601 | $32,283 | $25,601 | 19.8% | |
| Seattle | $34,869 | $31,270 | $38,747 | $31,270 | 18.3% | |
| Springfield, MO | $25,884 | $23,810 | $28,197 | $23,810 | 14.7% |
DO
Cost index built by David Olson, Creator of the Cost Index & Permit Dataset · Methodology reviewed by Leonard "Chuck" Thompson, LC Thompson Construction Co., Owner (retired) · 2026-07-10