Kitchen remodel cost in Tuscaloosa, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $17,400 – $29,500
- Per sq ft
- $141 – $235
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #218
- 1 = most expensive
Tuscaloosa homeowners pay roughly $17,400 to $29,500 to remodel a kitchen at 120 sq ft, or $141 to $235 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Tuscaloosa is 6% lower. Carpenters earn a median of $23.49 an hour in the Tuscaloosa area, 19% below the US median of $29.12.
Estimate your kitchen remodel cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Tuscaloosa, AL, standard level
$21,000 to $25,900
About $169 to $207 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 18% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $20,200 |
| Labor | $3,800 | $4,650 |
| Permits and fees | $700 | $1,050 |
| Total | $21,000 | $25,900 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,800 | $18,300 | $22,900 | 78% |
| Labor | $3,150 | $4,250 | $5,300 | 18% |
| Permits and fees | $440 | $880 | $1,300 | 4% |
| Total | $17,400 | $23,400 | $29,500 | 100% |
Why Tuscaloosa prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 6 trades: carpenters at 45%, electricians at 15%, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 15%, tile and stone setters at 10%, drywall and ceiling tile installers at 10%, painters, construction and maintenance at 5%. Weighted together, Tuscaloosa wages are 0.85 times the national level. Labor makes up about 18% of the midpoint estimate (20% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Tuscaloosa metro is 96.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 120 sq ft comes to $18,300, compared with $19,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (87.7) and land at $440 to $1,300.
Data note: 10% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Tuscaloosa. The wage table below marks each row.
Is Tuscaloosa cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Tuscaloosa. Auburn is the lowest at about $23,200 (midpoint, 120 sq ft), 140 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa, ALthis page | $17,400 – $29,500 | $23,400 | |
| Birmingham, AL60 miles | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Montgomery, AL95 miles | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,300 | −1% |
| Decatur, AL105 miles | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | +1% |
| Huntsville, AL130 miles | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Auburn, AL140 miles | $17,200 – $29,200 | $23,200 | −1% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,400 | level |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +7% |
Across 300 US metros, Tuscaloosa comes in at #218 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Tuscaloosa is 0% above the Alabama figure.
Other Alabama metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Montgomery, AL | 165,550 jobs | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,300 | −1% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $17,200 – $29,400 | $23,300 | −1% |
| Auburn, AL | 72,710 jobs | $17,200 – $29,200 | $23,200 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Tuscaloosa's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Tuscaloosa against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laredo, TX | 109,370 jobs | $16,500 – $28,100 | $22,300 | −5% |
| Bend, OR | 108,240 jobs | $19,900 – $33,800 | $26,800 | +14% |
| Charlottesville, VA | 114,780 jobs | $17,800 – $30,300 | $24,000 | +2% |
| Columbia, MO | 107,680 jobs | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | +1% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: kitchen remodel pricing in Tuscaloosa
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Tuscaloosa 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
$17,400 to $22,200
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$21,000 to $25,900
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$24,700 to $29,500
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $14,500 – $18,700 | $17,600 – $21,700 | $20,700 – $24,800 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,400 – $22,200 | $21,000 – $25,900 | $24,700 – $29,500 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $28,600 – $36,500 | $34,500 – $42,400 | $40,500 – $48,300 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $42,700 – $54,400 | $51,500 – $63,100 | $60,200 – $71,800 |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 6 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Tuscaloosa is 0.85 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $23.49 an hour, which is 19% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.52 and $27.84 an hour. BLS counts 260 of them working in the area, 24.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 15% of the weighting: a median of $28.90 an hour, 5% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.58 and $34.50 an hour. About 560 work in the metro. That is 51.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 15%) the local median is $28.62 an hour, which is 7% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.91 and $34.36 an hour. BLS counts 370 of them working in the area, 34.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Tuscaloosa metro, so we used the Alabama statewide median: $21.54 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $17.91 and $22.86 an hour.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $21.69 an hour, 23% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $19.50 and $21.69 an hour. About 40 work in the metro. That is 3.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 5%) the local median is $22.22 an hour, which is 6% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $17.78 and $27.12 an hour. BLS counts 90 of them working in the area, 8.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($27.84 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $330. At the 25th percentile ($20.52) it shrinks by about $230. The total moves by 1.4% or 1.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 108,460 jobs in the Tuscaloosa area. That makes it the 192nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.07% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $20.52 | $23.49 | $27.84 | $29.12 | 0.81 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $22.58 | $28.90 | $34.50 | $30.38 | 0.95 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $22.91 | $28.62 | $34.36 | $30.67 | 0.93 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $17.91 | $21.54 | $22.86 | $26.77 | 0.80 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $19.50 | $21.69 | $21.69 | $28.33 | 0.77 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $17.78 | $22.22 | $27.12 | $23.75 | 0.94 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.85 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Tuscaloosa bid
Counters
New countertops are $50-$150 per square foot installed; HomeGuide gives $1,500-$6,000 for an average kitchen.
Structure
Moving or removing walls can need a structural engineer at $1,900-$3,700+.
Permit
Kitchen remodel permits are $500-$1,500 and are usually based on project value.
What nearby projects cost in Tuscaloosa
Because every project leans on different trades, Tuscaloosa's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, window replacement runs −8% and home addition −13%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,900 – $12,400 | −11% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,250 – $21,100 | −9% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,100 – $13,800 | −8% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $33,100 – $67,100 | −13% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $820 – $2,550 | −10% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,350 | −10% |
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 $21,000 to $25,900 for Tuscaloosa, AL is attached.
Detailed kitchen remodel report for Tuscaloosa, AL, $9
Multi-page report for Tuscaloosa, AL: 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 remodel in Tuscaloosa: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Tuscaloosa?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,400 to $29,500 in the Tuscaloosa area. A standard-spec job lands at $21,000 to $25,900. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Tuscaloosa?
About $141 to $235 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $440 to $1,300 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Tuscaloosa or Birmingham?
Birmingham is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,500, which is 0% more than Tuscaloosa ($23,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Tuscaloosa?
About 18% at the midpoint, or $4,250 out of $23,400. Materials are 78% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Tuscaloosa?
$28,600 to $48,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Tuscaloosa?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $440 to $1,300 for fees in the Tuscaloosa area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Tuscaloosa expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Alabama?
Tuscaloosa is 0% above the Alabama statewide estimate ($23,400 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Alabama; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Tuscaloosa?
The BLS median is $23.49 an hour in the Tuscaloosa area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.52 to $27.84.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Tuscaloosa?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,400 to $22,200 and premium work $24,700 to $29,500. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Tuscaloosa
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 Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
Note on derived figures: Materials = 70% of the low installed price and 85% of the high one, from HomeGuide's statement that professional labor is 15-30% of a kitchen remodeling budget. Cost to Renovate's mid-range kitchen split (45% labor, 50% materials) sits inside that band.