How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost? (The Answer Depends on Your ZIP Code)
- Mar 12, 2026
- Updated May 24, 2026
- 7 min read
The typical kitchen remodel costs $22,000 to $35,000 for a midrange project. But that number is close to useless without knowing your ZIP code. A kitchen renovation in Chicago’s Lincoln Park costs 35-40% more than the same scope of work in Columbus, Ohio. National averages are even worse, since they average Manhattan and rural Mississippi into the same figure.
Here’s what actually drives the cost, what you can expect at different budget levels, and how to think about local ROI before you pick up the phone.
What Makes Kitchen Remodels Cost More or Less
Kitchen size is the obvious one. The Cost vs. Value report benchmarks against a 200 sq ft kitchen. Larger kitchens cost more in materials, but labor setup costs are often the same, so the per-square-foot rate actually drops as kitchens get bigger.
Scope is the bigger deal. “Minor” means cabinet refacing, new countertops, and fixtures. “Midrange” means full cabinet replacement and maybe a modest layout tweak. “Major” means custom everything. The ROI on minor remodels almost always beats major ones. By a lot.
Local labor runs 30-35% of total project cost. Contractors in expensive metros charge 15-25% above their state median. The same tile installation that costs $8/sq ft in Tulsa runs $11-13 in Denver. That’s just supply and demand.
Material choices swing the total more than most people expect. Countertop choice alone can move the budget $5,000-$10,000. Laminate runs $30-50 per linear foot installed, quartz $75-120, marble $100-200 or more. Pick your countertop before you set your budget.
Permits matter too. Structural changes, electrical panel upgrades, or plumbing moves all require permits. Depending on your municipality, that typically adds $300-$800 to the project.
How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost?
Minor remodel: $18,000-$28,000
This is the sweet spot. You’re keeping the existing layout and upgrading the surface: cabinet refacing (new doors and fronts, same boxes), mid-grade countertops, new sink and faucet, updated lighting, and new flooring. Maybe one appliance.
The ROI on a minor remodel is roughly 96% according to the 2024 Cost vs. Value report. That’s the best-performing kitchen investment category. Buyers notice this level of update at appraisal, and it’s the threshold where the kitchen stops being a liability.
Midrange remodel: $28,000-$45,000
Here you’re replacing cabinets entirely, upgrading to quartz or granite, adding a backsplash and under-cabinet lighting, and usually swapping in a full appliance suite. Minor layout tweaks are possible but expensive.
ROI drops to 67-80% depending on your market. Still defensible, but you’re starting to get into territory where over-improving for the neighborhood is a real risk.
Major remodel: $60,000-$130,000+
Custom cabinets, premium appliances, full reconfiguration. This makes sense in high-value markets. In most ZIP codes, spending $100k on a kitchen in a $350k home is a mistake you won’t recover at resale.
Is a Kitchen Remodel Worth It in Your Market?
Depends heavily on where you are.
In high-value markets like the Chicago North Shore, Boston’s suburbs, or coastal California, kitchen upgrades show up directly in appraisals. A $25,000 minor remodel in a market where homes sell at $700k-$900k often comes close to dollar-for-dollar in added value.
In mid-tier markets, ROI tracks the national average. Minor remodels hold up well. Major ones frequently exceed the price ceiling for the neighborhood.
In lower-cost markets with more modest median home values, the percentage returns compress. A $25,000 remodel might add $18,000-$21,000. But a dated kitchen can genuinely slow a sale, so a lot of the value shows up in days-on-market, not top-line price.
See what a kitchen remodel costs in your specific ZIP code →
Before You Sign Anything
Get three bids. Kitchen remodeling is one of the most competitive contractor categories, and a 20% spread between bids is completely normal. Don’t skip this step.
Ask every contractor what’s excluded from the quote. Permits, disposal, electrical panel upgrades, and appliances are routinely left out of the base number. You want to know this before you’re halfway through the project.
Check licensing. Contractor licensing requirements vary by state, but most require registration or licensure for work above certain dollar amounts. Ask for proof before money changes hands.
Don’t over-improve for your market. A $60k kitchen in a $280k home, where neighbors are selling at $300k, doesn’t pay off. Match the remodel to the neighborhood.
And plan your full scope before signing. Locking in a contractor before you’ve decided on appliances leads to change orders, which almost always cost more than deciding upfront.
