Kitchen backsplash cost in Racine, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (30 sq ft)
- $310 – $1,500
- Per sq ft
- $10.50 – $50.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $900
- Rank of 300 metros
- #89
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a backsplash in Racine, plan on $310 to $1,500 for 30 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $10.50 to $50.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Tile and stone setters earn a median of $30.14 an hour in the Racine area, 13% above the US median of $26.77.
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Estimated cost for 30 sq ft in Racine, WI, standard level
$670 to $1,150
About $22.50 to $38.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $350 | $630 |
| Labor | $320 | $520 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $670 | $1,150 |
Cost breakdown for 30 sq ft in Racine, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $140 | $490 | $840 | 54% |
| Labor | $170 | $420 | $670 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $310 | $910 | $1,500 | 100% |
Why Racine prices look the way they do
Labor is 46% 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 Racine the blended ratio comes out at 1.11. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Racine metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 30 sq ft comes to $490, compared with $530 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (96.0) and land at $0 to $0.
Data note: 90% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Racine. The wage table below marks each row.
Cost by quality level and size in Racine
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Racine 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
$310 to $790
Basic ceramic subway tile
Standard
$670 to $1,150
Mid-grade tile in a pattern
Premium
$1,050 to $1,500
Slab or natural stone
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (25 sq ft) | $260 – $660 | $560 – $960 | $860 – $1,250 |
| average kitchen (30 sq ft) | $310 – $790 | $670 – $1,150 | $1,050 – $1,500 |
| full-height (50 sq ft) | $510 – $1,300 | $1,100 – $1,900 | $1,700 – $2,500 |
Planning more than one job in Racine?
Because every project leans on different trades, Racine's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, shower pan runs +7% and kitchen remodel −3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $18,000 – $30,600 | −3% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,150 – $14,000 | level |
| Tile flooring | 200 sq ft | $2,650 – $9,950 | +2% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,850 – $24,100 | +4% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,050 – $2,950 | +7% |
Racine 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 Racine is 1.11 times the national level.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 90% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Racine metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median: $30.14 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $27.44 and $36.42 an hour.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 10%) the local median is $29.29 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.17 and $40.84 an hour. BLS counts 320 of them working in the area, 42.0 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 ($36.42 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $80. At the 25th percentile ($27.44) it shrinks by about $35. The total moves by 8.7% or 3.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 76,280 jobs in the Racine-Mount Pleasant area. That makes it the 243rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 90% | $27.44 | $30.14 | $36.42 | $26.77 | 1.13 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $24.17 | $29.29 | $40.84 | $29.12 | 1.01 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.11 | |||||
Is Racine cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 30 sq ft range from $910 to $1,050 across Racine and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Racine, WIthis page | $310 – $1,500 | $910 | |
| Milwaukee, WI10 miles | $310 – $1,550 | $920 | +1% |
| Kenosha, WI15 miles | $330 – $1,600 | $970 | +7% |
| Sheboygan, WI65 miles | $310 – $1,500 | $910 | level |
| Janesville, WI65 miles | $310 – $1,550 | $920 | +1% |
| Chicago, IL70 miles | $360 – $1,750 | $1,050 | +17% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $310 – $1,500 | $910 | level |
| United States | $300 – $1,500 | $900 | −1% |
Across 300 US metros, Racine comes in at #89 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $1,150; the cheapest is Little Rock, AR at $750 (midpoints, 30 sq ft). Statewide, Racine is 0% below the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $310 – $1,550 | $920 | +1% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $310 – $1,550 | $930 | +2% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $310 – $1,500 | $900 | −1% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $310 – $1,500 | $910 | level |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $310 – $1,550 | $920 | +2% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $310 – $1,500 | $910 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Racine's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Racine against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napa, CA | 77,860 jobs | $320 – $1,600 | $960 | +5% |
| Warner Robins, GA | 76,050 jobs | $270 – $1,400 | $820 | −9% |
| Chico, CA | 78,220 jobs | $290 – $1,500 | $890 | −2% |
| Kenosha, WI | 75,450 jobs | $330 – $1,600 | $970 | +7% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Racine 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.
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 $670 to $1,150 for Racine, WI is attached.
Detailed kitchen backsplash report for Racine, WI, $9
The report lays out the kitchen backsplash numbers for Racine, WI 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 Racine: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a backsplash in Racine?
For 30 sq ft, expect $310 to $1,500 in the Racine area. A standard-spec job lands at $670 to $1,150. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen backsplash in Racine?
About $10.50 to $50.50 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 Racine or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is 10 miles away. The midpoint for 30 sq ft there is $920, which is 1% more than Racine ($910). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Racine?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $420 out of $910. Materials are 54% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would average kitchen (30 sq ft) cost in Racine?
$310 to $1,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen backsplash need a permit in Racine?
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 Racine area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Racine expensive for kitchen backsplash compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Racine is 0% below the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($910 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do tile and stone setters earn in Racine?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $30.14 an hour, compared with $26.77 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.44 to $36.42.
+What do basic and premium kitchen backsplash work cost in Racine?
For 30 sq ft, basic work runs $310 to $790 and premium work $1,050 to $1,500. Basic means: basic ceramic subway tile. Premium means: slab or natural stone.
Kitchen backsplash near Racine
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.