Kitchen cabinets cost in San Francisco, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (25 linear ft)
- $5,100 – $18,000
- Per linear ft
- $181 – $651
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +27%
- US $9,150
- Rank of 300 metros
- #2
- 1 = most expensive
New kitchen cabinets in San Francisco, CA usually costs $5,100 to $18,000 for 25 linear ft. That works out to about $181 to $651 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $2,450 more. Carpenters earn a median of $42.89 an hour in the San Francisco area, 47% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 25 linear ft in San Francisco, CA, standard level
$8,950 to $14,100
About $322 to $510 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,550 | $4,600 |
| Labor | $4,500 | $8,150 |
| Permits and fees | $920 | $1,400 |
| Total | $8,950 | $14,100 |
Cost breakdown for 25 linear ft in San Francisco, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $4,050 | $5,400 | 35% |
| Labor | $1,800 | $6,350 | $10,900 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $580 | $1,150 | $1,750 | 10% |
| Total | $5,100 | $11,600 | $18,000 | 100% |
What is behind the San Francisco number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $42.89 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for San Francisco is 1.45 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 55% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. San Francisco is at 108.5 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 115.6: $580 to $1,750.
What local crews earn in San Francisco
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 Francisco the blend is 1.45.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $42.89 an hour, 47% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $30.45 and $48.26 an hour. About 14,010 work in the metro. That is 59.0 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 $44.63 an hour, which is 47% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $33.70 and $62.63 an hour. BLS counts 9,060 of them working in the area, 38.2 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 $37.44 an hour, 22% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $30.12 and $58.54 an hour. About 5,660 work in the metro. That is 23.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $650 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,500. That is a swing of roughly 12.9% to 5.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has 2,373,920 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 12th 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% | $30.45 | $42.89 | $48.26 | $29.12 | 1.47 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $33.70 | $44.63 | $62.63 | $30.38 | 1.47 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $30.12 | $37.44 | $58.54 | $30.67 | 1.22 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.45 | |||||
San Francisco against nearby metros and the rest of California
Same job, same size (25 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. San Francisco is the priciest of the group. Stockton is the cheapest at $9,950.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CAthis page | $5,100 – $18,000 | $11,600 | |
| Vallejo, CA40 miles | $4,750 – $16,200 | $10,500 | −9% |
| Napa, CA50 miles | $4,800 – $16,600 | $10,700 | −7% |
| Santa Cruz, CA55 miles | $4,750 – $16,300 | $10,500 | −9% |
| Stockton, CA55 miles | $4,550 – $15,300 | $9,950 | −14% |
| Santa Rosa, CA65 miles | $4,800 – $16,500 | $10,700 | −8% |
| California (statewide) | $4,750 – $16,200 | $10,500 | −9% |
| United States | $4,250 – $14,000 | $9,150 | −21% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, San Francisco ranks #2 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, San Francisco is 10% above 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 | −9% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $4,500 – $15,300 | $9,900 | −14% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $4,750 – $16,100 | $10,400 | −10% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $4,900 – $17,200 | $11,000 | −4% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $4,650 – $15,900 | $10,300 | −11% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $4,450 – $14,700 | $9,550 | −17% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is San Francisco against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 2,375,760 jobs | $4,150 – $13,800 | $8,950 | −23% |
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $4,800 – $16,800 | $10,800 | −7% |
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $4,600 – $16,100 | $10,400 | −10% |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $4,700 – $16,200 | $10,500 | −10% |
What nearby projects cost in San Francisco
Jobs that often go together with kitchen cabinets are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same San Francisco wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, storm door comes out highest (+23%) and kitchen backsplash lowest (+13%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $21,200 – $36,100 | +15% |
| Storm door | 1 door | $440 – $1,150 | +23% |
| Front door | 1 door | $650 – $2,900 | +18% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,650 – $28,000 | +20% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,100 – $3,200 | +15% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $340 – $1,700 | +13% |
Kitchen cabinets: what moves the price in San Francisco
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.
Cost by quality level and size in San Francisco
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to San Francisco. 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
$5,100 to $10,300
Stock cabinets, same layout
Standard
$8,950 to $14,100
Semi-custom with upgraded finishes
Premium
$12,800 to $18,000
Custom cabinetry, new layout
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small galley (15 linear ft) | $3,300 – $6,550 | $5,750 – $9,050 | $8,200 – $11,500 |
| 10x10 kitchen (20 linear ft) | $4,200 – $8,400 | $7,350 – $11,600 | $10,500 – $14,800 |
| average kitchen (25 linear ft) | $5,100 – $10,300 | $8,950 – $14,100 | $12,800 – $18,000 |
| large kitchen (40 linear ft) | $7,800 – $15,800 | $13,800 – $21,800 | $19,800 – $27,800 |
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Detailed kitchen cabinets report for San Francisco, CA, $9
Multi-page report for San Francisco, 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 Francisco: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace kitchen cabinets in San Francisco?
For 25 linear ft, expect $5,100 to $18,000 in the San Francisco area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,950 to $14,100. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for kitchen cabinets in San Francisco?
About $181 to $651 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $580 to $1,750 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $500.
+Is kitchen cabinets cheaper in San Francisco or Vallejo?
Vallejo is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 25 linear ft there is $10,500, which is 9% less than San Francisco ($11,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in San Francisco?
About 55% at the midpoint, or $6,350 out of $11,600. Materials are 35% and permits 10%. Nationally, labor is 48%.
+What would average kitchen (25 linear ft) cost in San Francisco?
$5,100 to $18,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen cabinets need a permit in San Francisco?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $580 to $1,750 for fees in the San Francisco area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is San Francisco expensive for kitchen cabinets compared with the rest of California?
San Francisco is 10% above 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 Francisco?
The BLS median is $42.89 an hour in the San Francisco area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $30.45 to $48.26.
+What do basic and premium kitchen cabinets work cost in San Francisco?
For 25 linear ft, basic work runs $5,100 to $10,300 and premium work $12,800 to $18,000. Basic means: stock cabinets, same layout. Premium means: custom cabinetry, new layout.
Kitchen cabinets near San Francisco
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.