Kitchen cabinets cost in San Diego, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (25 linear ft)
- $4,750 – $16,100
- Per linear ft
- $168 – $576
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +14%
- US $9,150
- Rank of 300 metros
- #19
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for new kitchen cabinets in the San Diego area: $4,750 to $16,100 for 25 linear ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 14% higher than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $35.19 an hour in the San Diego area, 21% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 25 linear ft in San Diego, CA, standard level
$8,150 to $12,700
About $290 to $454 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,500 | $4,600 |
| Labor | $3,750 | $6,750 |
| Permits and fees | $900 | $1,350 |
| Total | $8,150 | $12,700 |
Cost breakdown for 25 linear ft in San Diego, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $4,050 | $5,400 | 39% |
| Labor | $1,500 | $5,250 | $9,000 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $560 | $1,100 | $1,700 | 11% |
| Total | $4,750 | $10,400 | $16,100 | 100% |
Where the San Diego price comes from
Labor is 50% of the midpoint bill here, against 48% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (80%), electricians (10%), plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In San Diego the blended ratio comes out at 1.20.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. San Diego is at 108.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,750 nationally becomes $4,050 here (midpoint, 25 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 111.9: $560 to $1,700.
Planning more than one job in San Diego?
Jobs that often go together with kitchen cabinets are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same San Diego wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, storm door comes out highest (+12%) and kitchen backsplash lowest (+7%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $20,400 – $34,700 | +10% |
| Storm door | 1 door | $400 – $1,050 | +12% |
| Front door | 1 door | $570 – $2,750 | +11% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,250 – $26,100 | +12% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,000 – $3,050 | +9% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $320 – $1,600 | +7% |
Is San Diego cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than San Diego. Yuma is the lowest at about $8,100 (midpoint, 25 linear ft), 165 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CAthis page | $4,750 – $16,100 | $10,400 | |
| El Centro, CA80 miles | $4,600 – $15,700 | $10,100 | −3% |
| Los Angeles, CA110 miles | $4,750 – $16,200 | $10,500 | +1% |
| Riverside, CA110 miles | $4,500 – $15,300 | $9,900 | −5% |
| Oxnard, CA165 miles | $4,650 – $15,800 | $10,200 | −2% |
| Yuma, AZ165 miles | $3,900 – $12,300 | $8,100 | −22% |
| California (statewide) | $4,750 – $16,200 | $10,500 | +1% |
| United States | $4,250 – $14,000 | $9,150 | −12% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, San Diego ranks #19 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, San Diego is 1% below the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $4,750 – $16,200 | $10,500 | +1% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $5,100 – $18,000 | $11,600 | +11% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $4,500 – $15,300 | $9,900 | −5% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $4,900 – $17,200 | $11,000 | +6% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $4,650 – $15,900 | $10,300 | −1% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $4,450 – $14,700 | $9,550 | −8% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is San Diego against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | 1,609,350 jobs | $4,350 – $14,600 | $9,450 | −9% |
| Tampa, FL | 1,447,120 jobs | $3,950 – $12,700 | $8,350 | −20% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $4,500 – $15,300 | $9,900 | −5% |
| Orlando, FL | 1,411,730 jobs | $3,950 – $12,500 | $8,250 | −21% |
Who does the work: San Diego trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 3 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 San Diego the blend is 1.20.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $35.19 an hour, 21% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.16 and $46.12 an hour. About 8,710 work in the metro. That is 56.6 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 $28.90 and $48.92 an hour. BLS counts 8,060 of them working in the area, 52.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is about average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $34.86 an hour, 14% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $29.52 and $45.42 an hour. About 5,100 work in the metro. That is 33.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $1,300 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $840. That is a swing of roughly 8.1% to 12.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has 1,538,060 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 18th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $28.16 | $35.19 | $46.12 | $29.12 | 1.21 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $28.90 | $36.62 | $48.92 | $30.38 | 1.21 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $29.52 | $34.86 | $45.42 | $30.67 | 1.14 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.20 | |||||
San Diego: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to San Diego. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small galley (15 linear ft) to large kitchen (40 linear ft).
Basic
$4,750 to $9,300
Stock cabinets, same layout
Standard
$8,150 to $12,700
Semi-custom with upgraded finishes
Premium
$11,600 to $16,100
Custom cabinetry, new layout
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small galley (15 linear ft) | $3,100 – $6,000 | $5,250 – $8,150 | $7,400 – $10,300 |
| 10x10 kitchen (20 linear ft) | $3,900 – $7,650 | $6,700 – $10,400 | $9,500 – $13,200 |
| average kitchen (25 linear ft) | $4,750 – $9,300 | $8,150 – $12,700 | $11,600 – $16,100 |
| large kitchen (40 linear ft) | $7,300 – $14,300 | $12,500 – $19,500 | $17,700 – $24,700 |
Why two San Diego quotes can differ
Permit
Kitchen remodeling permits are $500-$1,500 where one is needed, usually when you change layout, plumbing or wiring.
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.
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 $8,150 to $12,700 for San Diego, CA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for San Diego, CA: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. 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 cabinets in San Diego: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace kitchen cabinets in San Diego?
For 25 linear ft, expect $4,750 to $16,100 in the San Diego area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,150 to $12,700. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for kitchen cabinets in San Diego?
About $168 to $576 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $560 to $1,700 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $500.
+Is kitchen cabinets cheaper in San Diego or El Centro?
El Centro is 80 miles away. The midpoint for 25 linear ft there is $10,100, which is 3% less than San Diego ($10,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in San Diego?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $5,250 out of $10,400. Materials are 39% and permits 11%. Nationally, labor is 48%.
+What would average kitchen (25 linear ft) cost in San Diego?
$4,750 to $16,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen cabinets need a permit in San Diego?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $560 to $1,700 for fees in the San Diego area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is San Diego expensive for kitchen cabinets compared with the rest of California?
San Diego is 1% below the California statewide estimate ($10,500 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in San Diego?
The BLS median is $35.19 an hour in the San Diego area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.16 to $46.12.
+What do basic and premium kitchen cabinets work cost in San Diego?
For 25 linear ft, basic work runs $4,750 to $9,300 and premium work $11,600 to $16,100. Basic means: stock cabinets, same layout. Premium means: custom cabinetry, new layout.
Kitchen cabinets near San Diego
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.