Kitchen cabinets cost in Boulder, CO
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (25 linear ft)
- $4,150 – $13,800
- Per linear ft
- $146 – $490
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $9,150
- Rank of 300 metros
- #116
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for new kitchen cabinets in the Boulder area: $4,150 to $13,800 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 lands close to the US figure. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.1).
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Estimated cost for 25 linear ft in Boulder, CO, standard level
$7,050 to $10,900
About $249 to $387 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 48% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,100 | $4,100 |
| Labor | $3,100 | $5,600 |
| Permits and fees | $840 | $1,250 |
| Total | $7,050 | $10,900 |
Cost breakdown for 25 linear ft in Boulder, CO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,400 | $3,600 | $4,800 | 40% |
| Labor | $1,250 | $4,350 | $7,450 | 48% |
| Permits and fees | $530 | $1,050 | $1,600 | 12% |
| Total | $4,150 | $9,000 | $13,800 | 100% |
Why Boulder prices look the way they do
Labor is 48% 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 Boulder the blended ratio comes out at 0.99.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Boulder is at 96.1 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,750 nationally becomes $3,600 here (midpoint, 25 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 105.2: $530 to $1,600.
Related projects, priced for Boulder
Jobs that often go together with kitchen cabinets are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Boulder wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, shower pan comes out highest (+1%) and kitchen remodel lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $18,000 – $30,700 | −3% |
| Storm door | 1 door | $350 – $930 | −2% |
| Front door | 1 door | $500 – $2,450 | −3% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,700 – $23,200 | level |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $950 – $2,800 | +1% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $300 – $1,500 | −1% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Boulder bid
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.
Is Boulder 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 25 linear ft range from $8,700 to $9,450 across Boulder and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, COthis page | $4,150 – $13,800 | $9,000 | |
| Fort Collins, CO40 miles | $4,100 – $13,500 | $8,800 | −2% |
| Denver, CO55 miles | $4,350 – $14,600 | $9,450 | +5% |
| Greeley, CO60 miles | $4,100 – $13,500 | $8,800 | −2% |
| Cheyenne, WY90 miles | $4,050 – $13,400 | $8,700 | −3% |
| Colorado Springs, CO95 miles | $4,100 – $13,400 | $8,750 | −3% |
| Colorado (statewide) | $4,250 – $14,200 | $9,250 | +3% |
| United States | $4,250 – $14,000 | $9,150 | +1% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Boulder ranks #116 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Boulder is 3% below the Colorado figure.
Elsewhere in Colorado
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | 1,609,350 jobs | $4,350 – $14,600 | $9,450 | +5% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 316,060 jobs | $4,100 – $13,400 | $8,750 | −3% |
| Fort Collins, CO | 169,430 jobs | $4,100 – $13,500 | $8,800 | −2% |
| Greeley, CO | 119,540 jobs | $4,100 – $13,500 | $8,800 | −2% |
| Grand Junction, CO | 67,170 jobs | $4,100 – $13,600 | $8,850 | −2% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $4,050 – $13,200 | $8,650 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Boulder against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $3,800 – $12,200 | $8,000 | −11% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $3,950 – $12,600 | $8,300 | −8% |
| Modesto, CA | 195,230 jobs | $4,650 – $15,800 | $10,200 | +14% |
| Pensacola, FL | 190,480 jobs | $3,900 – $12,200 | $8,050 | −11% |
Who does the work: Boulder 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 Boulder the blend is 0.99.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $28.73 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.92 and $35.50 an hour. About 540 work in the metro. That is 28.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $30.83 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $24.37 and $37.48 an hour. BLS counts 420 of them working in the area, 21.8 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 $31.20 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.30 and $38.49 an hour. About 420 work in the metro. That is 21.8 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 $810 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $580. That is a swing of roughly 6.4% to 9.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Boulder has 192,390 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 119th 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% | $23.92 | $28.73 | $35.50 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $24.37 | $30.83 | $37.48 | $30.38 | 1.01 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $28.30 | $31.20 | $38.49 | $30.67 | 1.02 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.99 | |||||
Boulder: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Boulder. 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
$4,150 to $8,050
Stock cabinets, same layout
Standard
$7,050 to $10,900
Semi-custom with upgraded finishes
Premium
$9,950 to $13,800
Custom cabinetry, new layout
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small galley (15 linear ft) | $2,700 – $5,200 | $4,600 – $7,050 | $6,450 – $8,950 |
| 10x10 kitchen (20 linear ft) | $3,450 – $6,600 | $5,800 – $9,000 | $8,200 – $11,400 |
| average kitchen (25 linear ft) | $4,150 – $8,050 | $7,050 – $10,900 | $9,950 – $13,800 |
| large kitchen (40 linear ft) | $6,350 – $12,300 | $10,800 – $16,700 | $15,200 – $21,200 |
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Detailed kitchen cabinets report for Boulder, CO, $9
The report lays out the kitchen cabinets numbers for Boulder, CO 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 cabinets in Boulder: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace kitchen cabinets in Boulder?
For 25 linear ft, expect $4,150 to $13,800 in the Boulder area. A standard-spec job lands at $7,050 to $10,900. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for kitchen cabinets in Boulder?
About $146 to $490 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $530 to $1,600 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $500.
+Is kitchen cabinets cheaper in Boulder or Fort Collins?
Fort Collins is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 25 linear ft there is $8,800, which is 2% less than Boulder ($9,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Boulder?
About 48% at the midpoint, or $4,350 out of $9,000. Materials are 40% and permits 12%. Nationally, labor is 48%.
+What would average kitchen (25 linear ft) cost in Boulder?
$4,150 to $13,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen cabinets need a permit in Boulder?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $530 to $1,600 for fees in the Boulder area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Boulder expensive for kitchen cabinets compared with the rest of Colorado?
Boulder is 3% below the Colorado statewide estimate ($9,250 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Colorado; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Boulder?
The BLS median is $28.73 an hour in the Boulder area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.92 to $35.50.
+What do basic and premium kitchen cabinets work cost in Boulder?
For 25 linear ft, basic work runs $4,150 to $8,050 and premium work $9,950 to $13,800. Basic means: stock cabinets, same layout. Premium means: custom cabinetry, new layout.
Kitchen cabinets near Boulder
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.