Kitchen backsplash cost in Louisville, KY
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (30 sq ft)
- $270 – $1,400
- Per sq ft
- $9.10 – $46
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −8%
- US $900
- Rank of 300 metros
- #172
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a backsplash in Louisville, plan on $270 to $1,400 for 30 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $9.10 to $46 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 8% lower than the national one. Tile and stone setters earn a median of $22.85 an hour in the Louisville area, 15% below the US median of $26.77.
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 Louisville, KY, standard level
$610 to $1,050
About $20 to $35 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 39% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $360 | $650 |
| Labor | $250 | $400 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $610 | $1,050 |
Cost breakdown for 30 sq ft in Louisville, KY
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $140 | $510 | $870 | 61% |
| Labor | $130 | $320 | $520 | 39% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $270 | $830 | $1,400 | 100% |
Why Louisville prices look the way they do
Labor is 39% of the midpoint bill here, against 42% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is tile and stone setters (90%), carpenters (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Louisville the blended ratio comes out at 0.86.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Louisville metro is 96.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 30 sq ft comes to $510, compared with $530 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (93.1) and land at $0 to $0.
Louisville labor market for kitchen backsplash
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Louisville is 0.86 times the national level.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 90%) the local median is $22.85 an hour, which is 15% below the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $21.42 and $26.43 an hour. BLS counts 50 of them working in the area, 0.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 10%) the local median is $27.17 an hour, which is 7% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.31 and $31.24 an hour. BLS counts 2,990 of them working in the area, 43.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the tile and stone setters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($26.43 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $45. At the 25th percentile ($21.42) it shrinks by about $20. The total moves by 5.4% or 2.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 685,190 jobs in the Louisville/Jefferson County area. That makes it the 43rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.44% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 90% | $21.42 | $22.85 | $26.43 | $26.77 | 0.85 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $23.31 | $27.17 | $31.24 | $29.12 | 0.93 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.86 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Louisville
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Louisville wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$270 to $720
Basic ceramic subway tile
Standard
$610 to $1,050
Mid-grade tile in a pattern
Premium
$940 to $1,400
Slab or natural stone
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (25 sq ft) | $230 – $600 | $510 – $880 | $780 – $1,150 |
| average kitchen (30 sq ft) | $270 – $720 | $610 – $1,050 | $940 – $1,400 |
| full-height (50 sq ft) | $460 – $1,200 | $1,000 – $1,750 | $1,550 – $2,300 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Louisville bid
Material
A tile backsplash is $10-$50 per sq ft installed. A stone slab backsplash is $35-$200 and granite slabs are $50-$200.
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.
What nearby projects cost in Louisville
Because every project leans on different trades, Louisville's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, shower pan runs −1% and tile flooring −7%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,800 – $30,200 | −4% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,050 – $13,400 | −4% |
| Tile flooring | 200 sq ft | $2,150 – $9,350 | −7% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,550 – $22,500 | −4% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $930 – $2,750 | −1% |
Louisville against nearby metros and the rest of Kentucky
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Louisville. Cincinnati is the lowest at about $810 (midpoint, 30 sq ft), 90 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KYthis page | $270 – $1,400 | $830 | |
| Lexington, KY70 miles | $270 – $1,400 | $830 | level |
| Bloomington, IN90 miles | $270 – $1,400 | $830 | level |
| Cincinnati, OH90 miles | $270 – $1,350 | $810 | −2% |
| Bowling Green, KY90 miles | $270 – $1,400 | $830 | level |
| Evansville, IN105 miles | $300 – $1,500 | $900 | +9% |
| Kentucky (statewide) | $270 – $1,400 | $820 | −1% |
| United States | $300 – $1,500 | $900 | +9% |
Across 300 US metros, Louisville comes in at #172 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $1,150; the cheapest is Little Rock, AR at $750 (midpoints, 30 sq ft). Statewide, Louisville is 1% above the Kentucky figure.
Other Kentucky metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington, KY | 286,910 jobs | $270 – $1,400 | $830 | level |
| Bowling Green, KY | 82,160 jobs | $270 – $1,400 | $830 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Louisville's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Louisville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, RI | 714,120 jobs | $300 – $1,500 | $900 | +8% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 677,680 jobs | $260 – $1,300 | $790 | −4% |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $270 – $1,350 | $810 | −2% |
| Richmond, VA | 660,350 jobs | $280 – $1,400 | $840 | +2% |
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 $610 to $1,050 for Louisville, KY is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the kitchen backsplash numbers for Louisville, KY 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 Louisville: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a backsplash in Louisville?
For 30 sq ft, expect $270 to $1,400 in the Louisville area. A standard-spec job lands at $610 to $1,050. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen backsplash in Louisville?
About $9.10 to $46 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 Louisville or Lexington?
Lexington is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 30 sq ft there is $830, which is 0% less than Louisville ($830). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Louisville?
About 39% at the midpoint, or $320 out of $830. Materials are 61% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would average kitchen (30 sq ft) cost in Louisville?
$270 to $1,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen backsplash need a permit in Louisville?
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 Louisville area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Louisville expensive for kitchen backsplash compared with the rest of Kentucky?
Louisville is 1% above the Kentucky statewide estimate ($820 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Kentucky; see the state page to compare them.
+What do tile and stone setters earn in Louisville?
The BLS median is $22.85 an hour in the Louisville area, compared with $26.77 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.42 to $26.43.
+What do basic and premium kitchen backsplash work cost in Louisville?
For 30 sq ft, basic work runs $270 to $720 and premium work $940 to $1,400. Basic means: basic ceramic subway tile. Premium means: slab or natural stone.
Kitchen backsplash near Louisville
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.