Kitchen cabinets cost in Rochester, NY
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (25 linear ft)
- $4,250 – $14,100
- Per linear ft
- $151 – $506
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $9,150
- Rank of 300 metros
- #92
- 1 = most expensive
Rochester homeowners pay roughly $4,250 to $14,100 to replace kitchen cabinets at 25 linear ft, or $151 to $506 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Rochester is almost level. Carpenters earn a median of $28.60 an hour in the Rochester area, 2% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 25 linear ft in Rochester, NY, standard level
$7,200 to $11,200
About $258 to $400 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,250 | $4,250 |
| Labor | $3,200 | $5,750 |
| Permits and fees | $780 | $1,150 |
| Total | $7,200 | $11,200 |
Cost breakdown for 25 linear ft in Rochester, NY
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,750 | $5,000 | 41% |
| Labor | $1,300 | $4,500 | $7,700 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $490 | $970 | $1,450 | 11% |
| Total | $4,250 | $9,200 | $14,100 | 100% |
Why Rochester prices look the way they do
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, Rochester wages are 1.02 times the national level. Labor makes up about 49% of the midpoint estimate (48% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Rochester metro is 99.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 25 linear ft comes to $3,750, compared with $3,750 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (97.0) and land at $490 to $1,450.
What nearby projects cost in Rochester
Because every project leans on different trades, Rochester's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, shower pan runs +7% and storm door −1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $18,700 – $31,700 | +1% |
| Storm door | 1 door | $350 – $940 | −1% |
| Front door | 1 door | $500 – $2,500 | −1% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,900 – $24,300 | +4% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,050 – $2,950 | +7% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $310 – $1,550 | +4% |
Rochester: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Rochester wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$4,250 to $8,200
Stock cabinets, same layout
Standard
$7,200 to $11,200
Semi-custom with upgraded finishes
Premium
$10,200 to $14,100
Custom cabinetry, new layout
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small galley (15 linear ft) | $2,750 – $5,250 | $4,650 – $7,150 | $6,550 – $9,050 |
| 10x10 kitchen (20 linear ft) | $3,500 – $6,750 | $5,950 – $9,150 | $8,350 – $11,600 |
| average kitchen (25 linear ft) | $4,250 – $8,200 | $7,200 – $11,200 | $10,200 – $14,100 |
| large kitchen (40 linear ft) | $6,500 – $12,600 | $11,100 – $17,200 | $15,600 – $21,700 |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Rochester is 1.02 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 80%) the local median is $28.60 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.10 and $35.00 an hour. BLS counts 2,350 of them working in the area, 47.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $37.17 an hour, 22% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $27.91 and $46.49 an hour. About 2,540 work in the metro. That is 51.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $35.38 an hour, which is 15% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $26.75 and $43.18 an hour. BLS counts 1,460 of them working in the area, 29.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($35.00 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $770. At the 25th percentile ($24.10) it shrinks by about $540. The total moves by 8.4% or 5.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 494,280 jobs in the Rochester area. That makes it the 52nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.32% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $24.10 | $28.60 | $35.00 | $29.12 | 0.98 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $27.91 | $37.17 | $46.49 | $30.38 | 1.22 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $26.75 | $35.38 | $43.18 | $30.67 | 1.15 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.02 | |||||
Why two Rochester 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.
Is Rochester cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (25 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Buffalo is the priciest of the group at $9,400. Erie is the cheapest at $8,900.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, NYthis page | $4,250 – $14,100 | $9,200 | |
| Buffalo, NY60 miles | $4,300 – $14,500 | $9,400 | +2% |
| Syracuse, NY70 miles | $4,300 – $14,300 | $9,300 | +1% |
| Binghamton, NY105 miles | $4,300 – $14,500 | $9,400 | +2% |
| Utica, NY120 miles | $4,200 – $13,900 | $9,050 | −2% |
| Erie, PA150 miles | $4,150 – $13,600 | $8,900 | −3% |
| New York (statewide) | $4,700 – $16,000 | $10,400 | +13% |
| United States | $4,250 – $14,000 | $9,150 | −1% |
Across 300 US metros, Rochester comes in at #92 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $12,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $7,050 (midpoints, 25 linear ft). Statewide, Rochester is 11% below the New York figure.
Other New York metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 9,492,000 jobs | $4,850 – $16,400 | $10,600 | +16% |
| Buffalo, NY | 534,550 jobs | $4,300 – $14,500 | $9,400 | +2% |
| Albany, NY | 449,410 jobs | $4,300 – $14,300 | $9,300 | +1% |
| Syracuse, NY | 300,130 jobs | $4,300 – $14,300 | $9,300 | +1% |
| Poughkeepsie, NY | 268,970 jobs | $4,600 – $15,000 | $9,850 | +7% |
| Utica, NY | 118,390 jobs | $4,200 – $13,900 | $9,050 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Rochester's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Rochester against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | 498,100 jobs | $3,950 – $12,800 | $8,350 | −9% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $4,450 – $14,700 | $9,550 | +4% |
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $3,950 – $12,600 | $8,250 | −10% |
| Tulsa, OK | 458,730 jobs | $3,800 – $12,100 | $7,950 | −13% |
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Kitchen cabinets in Rochester: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace kitchen cabinets in Rochester?
For 25 linear ft, expect $4,250 to $14,100 in the Rochester area. A standard-spec job lands at $7,200 to $11,200. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for kitchen cabinets in Rochester?
About $151 to $506 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $490 to $1,450 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $500.
+Is kitchen cabinets cheaper in Rochester or Buffalo?
Buffalo is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 25 linear ft there is $9,400, which is 2% more than Rochester ($9,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Rochester?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $4,500 out of $9,200. Materials are 41% and permits 11%. Nationally, labor is 48%.
+What would average kitchen (25 linear ft) cost in Rochester?
$4,250 to $14,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen cabinets need a permit in Rochester?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $490 to $1,450 for fees in the Rochester area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Rochester expensive for kitchen cabinets compared with the rest of New York?
Rochester is 11% below the New York statewide estimate ($10,400 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in New York; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Rochester?
The BLS median is $28.60 an hour in the Rochester area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.10 to $35.00.
+What do basic and premium kitchen cabinets work cost in Rochester?
For 25 linear ft, basic work runs $4,250 to $8,200 and premium work $10,200 to $14,100. Basic means: stock cabinets, same layout. Premium means: custom cabinetry, new layout.
Kitchen cabinets near Rochester
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.