Kitchen remodel cost in California
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (120 sq ft)
- $20,100 – $34,300
- Per sq ft
- $163 – $272
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +9%
- US $25,000
- Metros covered
- 23
Across California, a kitchen remodel costs about $20,100 to $34,300 for 120 sq ft. Statewide, that midpoint is 9% above the US figure of $25,000. Carpenters earn a median $36.50 an hour in California (US: $29.12).
Inside California, the metros we cover range from $25,800 (Riverside) to $28,700 (San Francisco) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in California (statewide), standard level
$24,400 to $30,100
About $196 to $239 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 22% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,200 | $22,200 |
| Labor | $5,350 | $6,550 |
| Permits and fees | $890 | $1,350 |
| Total | $24,400 | $30,100 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in California
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,100 | $20,200 | $25,200 | 74% |
| Labor | $4,450 | $5,950 | $7,450 | 22% |
| Permits and fees | $550 | $1,100 | $1,650 | 4% |
| Total | $20,100 | $27,200 | $34,300 | 100% |
How California compares with nearby states
California ranks 6 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for kitchen remodel, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $29,500 and the cheapest Arkansas at $22,500, both for 120 sq ft at the midpoint. California sits at $27,200. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 210 miles away | $18,100 – $30,900 | $24,500 | −10% |
| Arizona | 430 miles away | $17,700 – $30,100 | $23,900 | −12% |
| Utah | 490 miles away | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | −12% |
| Idaho | 600 miles away | $17,400 – $29,700 | $23,600 | −13% |
| Oregon | 690 miles away | $20,100 – $34,100 | $27,100 | level |
California labor market for kitchen remodel
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 6 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 1.19 for California.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $36.50 an hour, which is 25% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.72 and $46.07 an hour. BLS counts 100,750 of them working in the state, 55.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 15% of the weighting: a median of $36.62 an hour, 21% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $28.50 and $49.52 an hour. About 73,310 work in the state. That is 40.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 15%) the local median is $35.01 an hour, which is 14% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $28.36 and $48.17 an hour. BLS counts 47,660 of them working in the state, 26.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 10%) the local median is $28.31 an hour, which is 6% above the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $22.86 and $35.61 an hour. BLS counts 8,250 of them working in the state, 4.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $31.67 an hour, 12% above the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $26.83 and $40.95 an hour. About 27,280 work in the state. That is 15.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 5%) the local median is $28.38 an hour, which is 19% above the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $22.85 and $35.11 an hour. BLS counts 38,430 of them working in the state, 21.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for carpenters ($46.07 an hour) would add about $740 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($28.72) would take off about $600. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 18,213,700 jobs across California (May 2025), which is 11.7% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $28.72 | $36.50 | $46.07 | $29.12 | 1.25 | state |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $28.50 | $36.62 | $49.52 | $30.38 | 1.21 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $28.36 | $35.01 | $48.17 | $30.67 | 1.14 | state |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $22.86 | $28.31 | $35.61 | $26.77 | 1.06 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $26.83 | $31.67 | $40.95 | $28.33 | 1.12 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $22.85 | $28.38 | $35.11 | $23.75 | 1.19 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.19 | |||||
Quality levels and sizes in California
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide California wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$20,100 to $25,800
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$24,400 to $30,100
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$28,600 to $34,300
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $16,900 – $21,700 | $20,500 – $25,300 | $24,100 – $28,900 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $20,100 – $25,800 | $24,400 – $30,100 | $28,600 – $34,300 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $33,200 – $42,400 | $40,100 – $49,200 | $46,900 – $56,100 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $49,500 – $63,000 | $59,700 – $73,200 | $69,800 – $83,300 |
Related projects, priced for California
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide California wages and prices. Against national midpoints, home addition comes out highest (+15%) and kitchen backsplash lowest (+7%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,750 – $16,200 | +15% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,200 – $25,900 | +11% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,950 – $16,400 | +9% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $43,800 – $88,800 | +15% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,000 – $3,050 | +9% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $320 – $1,600 | +7% |
California metro-by-metro prices
3 of the 23 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $27,200, and the top-to-bottom gap is 11%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (120 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $21,200 – $36,100 | $28,700 | +5% |
| San Jose, CA | $20,700 – $35,200 | $28,000 | +3% |
| San Diego, CA | $20,400 – $34,700 | $27,600 | +1% |
| Napa, CA | $20,200 – $34,500 | $27,300 | level |
| Los Angeles, CA | $20,200 – $34,400 | $27,300 | level |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $20,200 – $34,400 | $27,300 | level |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $20,100 – $34,200 | $27,200 | level |
| Vallejo, CA | $20,000 – $34,100 | $27,100 | −1% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $19,900 – $33,900 | $26,900 | −1% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $19,800 – $33,800 | $26,800 | −1% |
| Sacramento, CA | $19,800 – $33,800 | $26,800 | −2% |
| El Centro, CA | $19,900 – $33,700 | $26,800 | −2% |
| Salinas, CA | $19,800 – $33,700 | $26,700 | −2% |
| Merced, CA | $19,800 – $33,600 | $26,700 | −2% |
| Modesto, CA | $19,700 – $33,600 | $26,700 | −2% |
| Stockton, CA | $19,700 – $33,600 | $26,700 | −2% |
| Oxnard, CA | $19,700 – $33,600 | $26,600 | −2% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $19,600 – $33,400 | $26,500 | −3% |
| Redding, CA | $19,600 – $33,300 | $26,400 | −3% |
| Chico, CA | $19,500 – $33,200 | $26,400 | −3% |
| Fresno, CA | $19,400 – $33,100 | $26,300 | −4% |
| Visalia, CA | $19,300 – $32,900 | $26,100 | −4% |
| Riverside, CA | $19,100 – $32,600 | $25,800 | −5% |
Kitchen remodel: what moves the price in California
Scope
A full kitchen update is $15,000-$50,000, a large remodel $50,000-$70,000+, and a partial refresh $60-$150 per square foot (HomeGuide).
Cabinets
In a 10x10 kitchen, cabinets alone are $3,000-$11,000 for stock or semi-custom and up to $26,500 for fully custom.
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.
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Kitchen remodel in California: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in California?
$20,100 to $34,300 for 120 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside California can sit above or below that.
+Which city in California is cheapest for kitchen remodel?
Riverside at about $25,800 (midpoint, 120 sq ft). The priciest is San Francisco at $28,700.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in California than the US average?
It is 9% more expensive: $27,200 against $25,000 for 120 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in California?
About 22% ($5,950). Materials are 74%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.19x the national wage level.
+What do carpenters earn in California?
The BLS statewide median is $36.50 an hour, against $29.12 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.72 to $46.07.
+Where does California rank for kitchen remodel costs?
6th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $27,200 for 120 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in California?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $20,100 to $25,800 and premium work $28,600 to $34,300. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel by city in California
- San Francisco, CA$28,700 midpoint
- San Jose, CA$28,000 midpoint
- San Diego, CA$27,600 midpoint
- Napa, CA$27,300 midpoint
- Los Angeles, CA$27,300 midpoint
- Santa Rosa, CA$27,300 midpoint
- Santa Cruz, CA$27,200 midpoint
- Vallejo, CA$27,100 midpoint
- San Luis Obispo, CA$26,900 midpoint
- Santa Maria, CA$26,800 midpoint
- Sacramento, CA$26,800 midpoint
- El Centro, CA$26,800 midpoint
- Salinas, CA$26,700 midpoint
- Merced, CA$26,700 midpoint
- Modesto, CA$26,700 midpoint
- Stockton, CA$26,700 midpoint
- Oxnard, CA$26,600 midpoint
- Bakersfield, CA$26,500 midpoint
- Redding, CA$26,400 midpoint
- Chico, CA$26,400 midpoint
- Fresno, CA$26,300 midpoint
- Visalia, CA$26,100 midpoint
- Riverside, CA$25,800 midpoint
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.