Kitchen cabinets cost in Chicago, IL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (25 linear ft)
- $4,950 – $17,300
- Per linear ft
- $177 – $631
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +22%
- US $9,150
- Rank of 300 metros
- #4
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for new kitchen cabinets in the Chicago area: $4,950 to $17,300 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 22% higher than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $38.68 an hour in the Chicago area, 33% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 25 linear ft in Chicago, IL, standard level
$8,650 to $13,600
About $313 to $494 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,500 | $4,550 |
| Labor | $4,350 | $7,800 |
| Permits and fees | $830 | $1,250 |
| Total | $8,650 | $13,600 |
Cost breakdown for 25 linear ft in Chicago, IL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $4,000 | $5,350 | 36% |
| Labor | $1,750 | $6,050 | $10,400 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $520 | $1,050 | $1,550 | 9% |
| Total | $4,950 | $11,100 | $17,300 | 100% |
What is behind the Chicago number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: carpenters at 80%, electricians at 10%, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 10%. Weighted together, Chicago wages are 1.39 times the national level. Labor makes up about 55% of the midpoint estimate (48% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Chicago is at 107.3 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,750 nationally becomes $4,000 here (midpoint, 25 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 103.6: $520 to $1,550.
Planning more than one job in Chicago?
Jobs that often go together with kitchen cabinets are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Chicago wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, shower pan comes out highest (+30%) and front door lowest (+13%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $21,000 – $35,800 | +14% |
| Storm door | 1 door | $410 – $1,100 | +16% |
| Front door | 1 door | $610 – $2,800 | +13% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,850 – $29,100 | +25% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,300 – $3,550 | +30% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $360 – $1,750 | +18% |
Who does the work: Chicago 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 Chicago the blend is 1.39.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $38.68 an hour, 33% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.26 and $54.79 an hour. About 14,220 work in the metro. That is 31.5 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 $49.21 an hour, which is 62% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $35.77 and $57.05 an hour. BLS counts 17,720 of them working in the area, 39.3 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 $49.70 an hour, 62% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $35.72 and $58.91 an hour. About 12,750 work in the metro. That is 28.2 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 $1,950 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,250. That is a swing of roughly 11.3% to 17.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has 4,513,280 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 3rd 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% | $28.26 | $38.68 | $54.79 | $29.12 | 1.33 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $35.77 | $49.21 | $57.05 | $30.38 | 1.62 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $35.72 | $49.70 | $58.91 | $30.67 | 1.62 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.39 | |||||
Is Chicago cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Chicago. Niles is the lowest at about $8,450 (midpoint, 25 linear ft), 55 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, ILthis page | $4,950 – $17,300 | $11,100 | |
| Niles, MI55 miles | $3,950 – $12,900 | $8,450 | −24% |
| Kenosha, WI55 miles | $4,450 – $14,600 | $9,500 | −14% |
| Racine, WI70 miles | $4,150 – $14,000 | $9,100 | −18% |
| Rockford, IL75 miles | $4,350 – $15,500 | $9,950 | −11% |
| Milwaukee, WI80 miles | $4,200 – $14,400 | $9,300 | −16% |
| Illinois (statewide) | $4,800 – $16,900 | $10,800 | −3% |
| United States | $4,250 – $14,000 | $9,150 | −18% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Chicago ranks #4 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Chicago is 3% above the Illinois figure.
Elsewhere in Illinois
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | 166,020 jobs | $4,350 – $15,500 | $9,900 | −11% |
| Rockford, IL | 137,650 jobs | $4,350 – $15,500 | $9,950 | −11% |
| Champaign, IL | 105,500 jobs | $4,300 – $15,000 | $9,650 | −13% |
| Springfield, IL | 100,810 jobs | $4,450 – $15,800 | $10,100 | −9% |
| Bloomington, IL | 88,110 jobs | $4,350 – $15,400 | $9,900 | −11% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Chicago against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $4,750 – $16,200 | $10,500 | −6% |
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $4,150 – $12,900 | $8,550 | −23% |
| New York, NY | 9,492,000 jobs | $4,850 – $16,400 | $10,600 | −4% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $4,050 – $12,900 | $8,450 | −24% |
Cost by quality level and size in Chicago
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Chicago. 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
$4,950 to $9,900
Stock cabinets, same layout
Standard
$8,650 to $13,600
Semi-custom with upgraded finishes
Premium
$12,400 to $17,300
Custom cabinetry, new layout
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small galley (15 linear ft) | $3,150 – $6,300 | $5,500 – $8,650 | $7,850 – $11,000 |
| 10x10 kitchen (20 linear ft) | $4,050 – $8,100 | $7,100 – $11,100 | $10,100 – $14,200 |
| average kitchen (25 linear ft) | $4,950 – $9,900 | $8,650 – $13,600 | $12,400 – $17,300 |
| large kitchen (40 linear ft) | $7,600 – $15,300 | $13,300 – $21,000 | $19,100 – $26,800 |
Kitchen cabinets: what moves the price in Chicago
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.
Stock, semi-custom or custom
Stock cabinets run $100-$400 per linear foot installed, semi-custom $150-$700, and custom $500-$1,200 (HomeGuide).
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed kitchen cabinets report for Chicago, IL, $9
The report lays out the kitchen cabinets numbers for Chicago, IL 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 Chicago: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace kitchen cabinets in Chicago?
For 25 linear ft, expect $4,950 to $17,300 in the Chicago area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,650 to $13,600. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for kitchen cabinets in Chicago?
About $177 to $631 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $520 to $1,550 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $500.
+Is kitchen cabinets cheaper in Chicago or Niles?
Niles is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 25 linear ft there is $8,450, which is 24% less than Chicago ($11,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chicago?
About 55% at the midpoint, or $6,050 out of $11,100. Materials are 36% and permits 9%. Nationally, labor is 48%.
+What would average kitchen (25 linear ft) cost in Chicago?
$4,950 to $17,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen cabinets need a permit in Chicago?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $520 to $1,550 for fees in the Chicago area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Chicago expensive for kitchen cabinets compared with the rest of Illinois?
Chicago is 3% above the Illinois statewide estimate ($10,800 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Illinois; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Chicago?
The BLS median is $38.68 an hour in the Chicago area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.26 to $54.79.
+What do basic and premium kitchen cabinets work cost in Chicago?
For 25 linear ft, basic work runs $4,950 to $9,900 and premium work $12,400 to $17,300. Basic means: stock cabinets, same layout. Premium means: custom cabinetry, new layout.
Kitchen cabinets near Chicago
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.