Kitchen backsplash cost in Stockton, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (30 sq ft)
- $320 – $1,600
- Per sq ft
- $10.50 – $53
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +6%
- US $900
- Rank of 300 metros
- #51
- 1 = most expensive
A kitchen backsplash in Stockton, CA usually costs $320 to $1,600 for 30 sq ft. That works out to about $10.50 to $53 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $50 more. Building materials run about 5% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 105.2).
Estimate your kitchen backsplash cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 30 sq ft in Stockton, CA, standard level
$700 to $1,200
About $23.50 to $40 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 42% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $390 | $710 |
| Labor | $300 | $500 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $700 | $1,200 |
Cost breakdown for 30 sq ft in Stockton, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $160 | $550 | $950 | 58% |
| Labor | $160 | $400 | $640 | 42% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $320 | $950 | $1,600 | 100% |
Where the Stockton price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: tile and stone setters at 90%, carpenters at 10%. Weighted together, Stockton wages are 1.07 times the national level. Labor makes up about 42% of the midpoint estimate (42% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Stockton is at 105.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $530 nationally becomes $550 here (midpoint, 30 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 105.1: $0 to $0.
Stockton against nearby metros and the rest of California
Same job, same size (30 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. San Francisco is the priciest of the group at $1,000. Modesto is the cheapest at $910.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton, CAthis page | $320 – $1,600 | $950 | |
| Modesto, CA30 miles | $300 – $1,500 | $910 | −5% |
| Vallejo, CA45 miles | $320 – $1,600 | $960 | level |
| San Francisco, CA55 miles | $340 – $1,700 | $1,000 | +7% |
| Merced, CA60 miles | $320 – $1,600 | $960 | level |
| Sacramento, CA60 miles | $310 – $1,550 | $940 | −1% |
| California (statewide) | $320 – $1,600 | $960 | +1% |
| United States | $300 – $1,500 | $900 | −5% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Stockton ranks #51 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Stockton is 1% below the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $320 – $1,600 | $960 | +1% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $340 – $1,700 | $1,000 | +7% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $300 – $1,500 | $910 | −5% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $320 – $1,600 | $970 | +1% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $330 – $1,650 | $980 | +3% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $310 – $1,550 | $940 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Stockton against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $260 – $1,350 | $800 | −16% |
| Portland, ME | 288,480 jobs | $330 – $1,600 | $980 | +3% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $260 – $1,350 | $800 | −16% |
| Lexington, KY | 286,910 jobs | $270 – $1,400 | $830 | −13% |
What local crews earn in Stockton
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Stockton the blend is 1.07.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044), 90% of the weighting: a median of $28.35 an hour, 6% above the US median of $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $22.80 and $31.77 an hour. About 180 work in the metro. That is 6.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Carpenters (47-2031), 10% of the weighting: a median of $33.25 an hour, 14% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $27.66 and $39.57 an hour. About 1,260 work in the metro. That is 43.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (tile and stone setters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $45 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $70. That is a swing of roughly 7.3% to 4.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Stockton-Lodi has 289,660 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 88th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 90% | $22.80 | $28.35 | $31.77 | $26.77 | 1.06 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $27.66 | $33.25 | $39.57 | $29.12 | 1.14 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.07 | |||||
Kitchen backsplash: what moves the price in Stockton
Labor and minimums
Tile labor is $8-$20 per sq ft and many installers charge minimums for small areas.
Old backsplash removal
Removing the old one adds $2-$5 per sq ft.
Part of a remodel
A backsplash often gets bundled into a kitchen remodel and priced with it.
Pick a size, pick a tier: kitchen backsplash pricing in Stockton
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Stockton. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small kitchen (25 sq ft) to full-height (50 sq ft).
Basic
$320 to $830
Basic ceramic subway tile
Standard
$700 to $1,200
Mid-grade tile in a pattern
Premium
$1,100 to $1,600
Slab or natural stone
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (25 sq ft) | $260 – $690 | $580 – $1,000 | $900 – $1,300 |
| average kitchen (30 sq ft) | $320 – $830 | $700 – $1,200 | $1,100 – $1,600 |
| full-height (50 sq ft) | $530 – $1,400 | $1,150 – $2,000 | $1,800 – $2,650 |
What nearby projects cost in Stockton
Jobs that often go together with kitchen backsplash are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Stockton wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, kitchen cabinets comes out highest (+9%) and shower pan lowest (+4%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $19,700 – $33,600 | +7% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,550 – $15,300 | +9% |
| Tile flooring | 200 sq ft | $2,600 – $10,600 | +6% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,050 – $24,900 | +7% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $960 – $2,900 | +4% |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $700 to $1,200 for Stockton, CA is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
The report lays out the kitchen backsplash numbers for Stockton, CA line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Kitchen backsplash in Stockton: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a backsplash in Stockton?
For 30 sq ft, expect $320 to $1,600 in the Stockton area. A standard-spec job lands at $700 to $1,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen backsplash in Stockton?
About $10.50 to $53 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $50.
+Is kitchen backsplash cheaper in Stockton or Modesto?
Modesto is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 30 sq ft there is $910, which is 5% less than Stockton ($950). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Stockton?
About 42% at the midpoint, or $400 out of $950. Materials are 58% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would average kitchen (30 sq ft) cost in Stockton?
$320 to $1,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen backsplash need a permit in Stockton?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $0 for fees in the Stockton area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Stockton expensive for kitchen backsplash compared with the rest of California?
Stockton is 1% below the California statewide estimate ($960 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do tile and stone setters earn in Stockton?
The BLS median is $28.35 an hour in the Stockton area, compared with $26.77 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.80 to $31.77.
+What do basic and premium kitchen backsplash work cost in Stockton?
For 30 sq ft, basic work runs $320 to $830 and premium work $1,100 to $1,600. Basic means: basic ceramic subway tile. Premium means: slab or natural stone.
Kitchen backsplash near Stockton
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: 2026 Backsplash Installation Cost (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
Note on derived figures: Materials = installed price minus HomeGuide's $5-$20 per sq ft labor figure, matched low-to-low and high-to-high.