Kitchen cabinets cost in Charleston, SC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (25 linear ft)
- $3,950 – $12,700
- Per linear ft
- $139 – $447
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $9,150
- Rank of 300 metros
- #191
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for new kitchen cabinets in the Charleston area: $3,950 to $12,700 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 9% lower than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $24.22 an hour in the Charleston area, 17% below the US median of $29.12.
Estimate your kitchen cabinets cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 25 linear ft in Charleston, SC, standard level
$6,600 to $10,100
About $231 to $355 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 45% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,150 | $4,100 |
| Labor | $2,650 | $4,750 |
| Permits and fees | $810 | $1,200 |
| Total | $6,600 | $10,100 |
Cost breakdown for 25 linear ft in Charleston, SC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,400 | $3,600 | $4,800 | 43% |
| Labor | $1,050 | $3,700 | $6,350 | 45% |
| Permits and fees | $500 | $1,000 | $1,500 | 12% |
| Total | $3,950 | $8,350 | $12,700 | 100% |
Why Charleston prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $24.22 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Charleston is 0.85 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 45% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Charleston is at 96.3 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 101.0: $500 to $1,500.
Charleston against nearby metros and the rest of South Carolina
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Charleston. Savannah is the lowest at about $8,000 (midpoint, 25 linear ft), 95 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SCthis page | $3,950 – $12,700 | $8,350 | |
| Hilton Head, SC65 miles | $3,950 – $12,500 | $8,200 | −2% |
| Florence, SC80 miles | $3,900 – $12,300 | $8,100 | −3% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC85 miles | $3,850 – $12,100 | $8,000 | −4% |
| Columbia, SC95 miles | $3,900 – $12,300 | $8,100 | −3% |
| Savannah, GA95 miles | $3,850 – $12,100 | $8,000 | −4% |
| South Carolina (statewide) | $3,950 – $12,600 | $8,250 | −1% |
| United States | $4,250 – $14,000 | $9,150 | +9% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Charleston ranks #191 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Charleston is 1% above the South Carolina figure.
Elsewhere in South Carolina
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $3,900 – $12,500 | $8,200 | −2% |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $3,900 – $12,300 | $8,100 | −3% |
| Spartanburg, SC | 165,150 jobs | $3,950 – $12,700 | $8,300 | level |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $3,850 – $12,100 | $8,000 | −4% |
| Florence, SC | 89,060 jobs | $3,900 – $12,300 | $8,100 | −3% |
| Hilton Head, SC | 81,920 jobs | $3,950 – $12,500 | $8,200 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Charleston against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $3,900 – $12,300 | $8,100 | −3% |
| Boise, ID | 391,790 jobs | $3,950 – $12,700 | $8,350 | level |
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $4,100 – $13,800 | $8,950 | +7% |
| Tucson, AZ | 389,630 jobs | $3,950 – $12,500 | $8,250 | −1% |
Planning more than one job in Charleston?
Jobs that often go together with kitchen cabinets are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Charleston wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, kitchen remodel comes out highest (−6%) and kitchen backsplash lowest (−11%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,400 – $29,700 | −6% |
| Storm door | 1 door | $320 – $880 | −8% |
| Front door | 1 door | $450 – $2,350 | −7% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,250 – $21,000 | −10% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $810 – $2,550 | −10% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $260 – $1,350 | −11% |
Who does the work: Charleston 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 Charleston the blend is 0.85.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $24.22 an hour, 17% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.37 and $29.52 an hour. About 1,240 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 $28.37 an hour, which is 7% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.54 and $31.81 an hour. BLS counts 1,480 of them working in the area, 37.5 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 $27.58 an hour, 10% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.50 and $31.15 an hour. About 960 work in the metro. That is 24.4 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 $640 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $340. That is a swing of roughly 4.1% to 7.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Charleston-North Charleston has 394,170 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 66th 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% | $21.37 | $24.22 | $29.52 | $29.12 | 0.83 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $23.54 | $28.37 | $31.81 | $30.38 | 0.93 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $23.50 | $27.58 | $31.15 | $30.67 | 0.90 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.85 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Charleston
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Charleston. 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
$3,950 to $7,450
Stock cabinets, same layout
Standard
$6,600 to $10,100
Semi-custom with upgraded finishes
Premium
$9,200 to $12,700
Custom cabinetry, new layout
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small galley (15 linear ft) | $2,600 – $4,850 | $4,300 – $6,550 | $5,950 – $8,200 |
| 10x10 kitchen (20 linear ft) | $3,300 – $6,150 | $5,450 – $8,300 | $7,600 – $10,500 |
| average kitchen (25 linear ft) | $3,950 – $7,450 | $6,600 – $10,100 | $9,200 – $12,700 |
| large kitchen (40 linear ft) | $6,050 – $11,400 | $10,100 – $15,400 | $14,100 – $19,400 |
Why two Charleston quotes can differ
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.
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 $6,600 to $10,100 for Charleston, SC is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the kitchen cabinets numbers for Charleston, SC 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 Charleston: your questions
+How much does it cost to replace kitchen cabinets in Charleston?
For 25 linear ft, expect $3,950 to $12,700 in the Charleston area. A standard-spec job lands at $6,600 to $10,100. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for kitchen cabinets in Charleston?
About $139 to $447 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $500 to $1,500 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $500.
+Is kitchen cabinets cheaper in Charleston or Hilton Head?
Hilton Head is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 25 linear ft there is $8,200, which is 2% less than Charleston ($8,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Charleston?
About 45% at the midpoint, or $3,700 out of $8,350. Materials are 43% and permits 12%. Nationally, labor is 48%.
+What would average kitchen (25 linear ft) cost in Charleston?
$3,950 to $12,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen cabinets need a permit in Charleston?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $500 to $1,500 for fees in the Charleston area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Charleston expensive for kitchen cabinets compared with the rest of South Carolina?
Charleston is 1% above the South Carolina statewide estimate ($8,250 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in South Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Charleston?
The BLS median is $24.22 an hour in the Charleston area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.37 to $29.52.
+What do basic and premium kitchen cabinets work cost in Charleston?
For 25 linear ft, basic work runs $3,950 to $7,450 and premium work $9,200 to $12,700. Basic means: stock cabinets, same layout. Premium means: custom cabinetry, new layout.
Kitchen cabinets near Charleston
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.