Kitchen cabinets cost in California
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (25 linear ft)
- $4,750 – $16,200
- Per linear ft
- $168 – $583
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +15%
- US $9,150
- Metros covered
- 23
What does it cost to replace kitchen cabinets in California? Plan on $4,750 to $16,200 for 25 linear ft. Wages (1.24x the US blend), materials (price index 106.1) and permit costs (110.7) put the state above the national midpoint by 15%.
Inside California, the metros we cover range from $9,550 (Visalia) to $11,600 (San Francisco) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
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Estimated cost for 25 linear ft in California (statewide), standard level
$8,200 to $12,800
About $293 to $459 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,450 | $4,500 |
| Labor | $3,850 | $6,950 |
| Permits and fees | $890 | $1,350 |
| Total | $8,200 | $12,800 |
Cost breakdown for 25 linear ft in California
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,650 | $4,000 | $5,300 | 38% |
| Labor | $1,550 | $5,400 | $9,300 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $550 | $1,100 | $1,650 | 11% |
| Total | $4,750 | $10,500 | $16,200 | 100% |
Basic, standard or premium: California prices
Bands overlap on purpose, since a good standard job can cost as much as a light premium one. Below are the three bands for the default size, then a grid from small galley (15 linear ft) to large kitchen (40 linear ft).
Basic
$4,750 to $9,350
Stock cabinets, same layout
Standard
$8,200 to $12,800
Semi-custom with upgraded finishes
Premium
$11,600 to $16,200
Custom cabinetry, new layout
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small galley (15 linear ft) | $3,050 – $6,000 | $5,250 – $8,200 | $7,500 – $10,400 |
| 10x10 kitchen (20 linear ft) | $3,900 – $7,700 | $6,750 – $10,500 | $9,550 – $13,300 |
| average kitchen (25 linear ft) | $4,750 – $9,350 | $8,200 – $12,800 | $11,600 – $16,200 |
| large kitchen (40 linear ft) | $7,250 – $14,400 | $12,600 – $19,700 | $17,900 – $25,000 |
Wages behind the California number
California's labor line is priced from 3 trades, each compared with its US median wage. After weighting by each trade's share of the work, the state comes out at 1.24 times the national level.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $36.50 an hour, 25% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.72 and $46.07 an hour. About 100,750 work in the state. That is 55.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $36.62 an hour, which is 21% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $28.50 and $49.52 an hour. BLS counts 73,310 of them working in the state, 40.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $35.01 an hour, 14% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.36 and $48.17 an hour. About 47,660 work in the state. That is 26.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for carpenters ($46.07 an hour) would add about $1,150 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($28.72) would take off about $940. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 18,213,700 jobs across California (May 2025), which is 11.7% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $28.72 | $36.50 | $46.07 | $29.12 | 1.25 | state |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $28.50 | $36.62 | $49.52 | $30.38 | 1.21 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $28.36 | $35.01 | $48.17 | $30.67 | 1.14 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.24 | |||||
Other California jobs that often go with kitchen cabinets
Each project weights the trades differently, so California's wage level does not push every price by the same amount. Compared with the US midpoint, storm door is +13% and kitchen backsplash +7%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $20,100 – $34,300 | +9% |
| Storm door | 1 door | $400 – $1,050 | +13% |
| Front door | 1 door | $580 – $2,750 | +11% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,200 – $25,900 | +11% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,000 – $3,050 | +9% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $320 – $1,600 | +7% |
How California compares with nearby states
California ranks 4 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for kitchen cabinets, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $11,400 and the cheapest Arkansas at $7,800, both for 25 linear ft at the midpoint. California sits at $10,500. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 210 miles away | $4,200 – $14,100 | $9,150 | −13% |
| Arizona | 430 miles away | $4,100 – $13,500 | $8,800 | −16% |
| Utah | 490 miles away | $4,000 – $13,000 | $8,500 | −19% |
| Idaho | 600 miles away | $3,950 – $12,800 | $8,350 | −20% |
| Oregon | 690 miles away | $4,600 – $15,400 | $10,000 | −5% |
Why two California quotes can differ
Stock, semi-custom or custom
Stock cabinets run $100-$400 per linear foot installed, semi-custom $150-$700, and custom $500-$1,200 (HomeGuide).
Layout changes
Keeping the plumbing and wiring where it is saves real money. Moving them brings in plumbers and electricians.
Removal
Taking out the old cabinets is $300-$600, though many installers fold it into their labor price.
Permit
Kitchen remodeling permits are $500-$1,500 where one is needed, usually when you change layout, plumbing or wiring.
Kitchen cabinets cost by metro in California
4 of the 23 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $10,500, and the top-to-bottom gap is 21%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (25 linear ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $5,100 – $18,000 | $11,600 | +10% |
| San Jose, CA | $4,900 – $17,200 | $11,000 | +5% |
| Napa, CA | $4,800 – $16,600 | $10,700 | +2% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $4,800 – $16,500 | $10,700 | +1% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $4,750 – $16,300 | $10,500 | level |
| Los Angeles, CA | $4,750 – $16,200 | $10,500 | level |
| Vallejo, CA | $4,750 – $16,200 | $10,500 | level |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $4,700 – $16,200 | $10,500 | level |
| San Diego, CA | $4,750 – $16,100 | $10,400 | −1% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $4,700 – $15,900 | $10,300 | −2% |
| Sacramento, CA | $4,650 – $15,900 | $10,300 | −2% |
| Modesto, CA | $4,650 – $15,800 | $10,200 | −3% |
| Oxnard, CA | $4,650 – $15,800 | $10,200 | −3% |
| Merced, CA | $4,600 – $15,700 | $10,200 | −3% |
| El Centro, CA | $4,600 – $15,700 | $10,100 | −3% |
| Chico, CA | $4,600 – $15,400 | $10,000 | −5% |
| Redding, CA | $4,600 – $15,400 | $10,000 | −5% |
| Stockton, CA | $4,550 – $15,300 | $9,950 | −5% |
| Salinas, CA | $4,550 – $15,300 | $9,900 | −5% |
| Riverside, CA | $4,500 – $15,300 | $9,900 | −6% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $4,500 – $15,000 | $9,800 | −7% |
| Fresno, CA | $4,450 – $14,700 | $9,550 | −9% |
| Visalia, CA | $4,450 – $14,600 | $9,550 | −9% |
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Kitchen cabinets in California: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace kitchen cabinets in California?
$4,750 to $16,200 for 25 linear ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside California can sit above or below that.
+Which city in California is cheapest for kitchen cabinets?
Visalia at about $9,550 (midpoint, 25 linear ft). The priciest is San Francisco at $11,600.
+Is kitchen cabinets cheaper in California than the US average?
It is 15% more expensive: $10,500 against $9,150 for 25 linear ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in California?
About 52% ($5,400). Materials are 38%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.24x the national wage level.
+What do carpenters earn in California?
The BLS statewide median is $36.50 an hour, against $29.12 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.72 to $46.07.
+Where does California rank for kitchen cabinets costs?
4th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $10,500 for 25 linear ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium kitchen cabinets work cost in California?
For 25 linear ft, basic work runs $4,750 to $9,350 and premium work $11,600 to $16,200. Basic means: stock cabinets, same layout. Premium means: custom cabinetry, new layout.
Kitchen cabinets by city in California
- San Francisco, CA$11,600 midpoint
- San Jose, CA$11,000 midpoint
- Napa, CA$10,700 midpoint
- Santa Rosa, CA$10,700 midpoint
- Santa Cruz, CA$10,500 midpoint
- Los Angeles, CA$10,500 midpoint
- Vallejo, CA$10,500 midpoint
- San Luis Obispo, CA$10,500 midpoint
- San Diego, CA$10,400 midpoint
- Santa Maria, CA$10,300 midpoint
- Sacramento, CA$10,300 midpoint
- Modesto, CA$10,200 midpoint
- Oxnard, CA$10,200 midpoint
- Merced, CA$10,200 midpoint
- El Centro, CA$10,100 midpoint
- Chico, CA$10,000 midpoint
- Redding, CA$10,000 midpoint
- Stockton, CA$9,950 midpoint
- Salinas, CA$9,900 midpoint
- Riverside, CA$9,900 midpoint
- Bakersfield, CA$9,800 midpoint
- Fresno, CA$9,550 midpoint
- Visalia, CA$9,550 midpoint
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: How Much Do Kitchen Cabinets Cost? (2026 Prices) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Cabinet Installation Cost? (New 2026 Prices) (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 labor figure of $50-$300 per linear foot, matched low-to-low and high-to-high. Treat the split as a rough guide: labor swings with the cabinet type.