Kitchen remodel cost in Modesto, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $19,700 – $33,600
- Per sq ft
- $160 – $267
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +7%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #30
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a kitchen in Modesto, plan on $19,700 to $33,600 for 120 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $160 to $267 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 7% higher than the national one. Building materials run about 5% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 105.2).
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Modesto, CA, standard level
$23,900 to $29,500
About $192 to $235 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 21% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,000 | $22,000 |
| Labor | $5,050 | $6,200 |
| Permits and fees | $830 | $1,250 |
| Total | $23,900 | $29,500 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Modesto, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 | 75% |
| Labor | $4,250 | $5,650 | $7,050 | 21% |
| Permits and fees | $520 | $1,050 | $1,550 | 4% |
| Total | $19,700 | $26,700 | $33,600 | 100% |
Why Modesto prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $35.45 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Modesto is 1.13 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 21% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Modesto metro is 105.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 120 sq ft comes to $20,000, compared with $19,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (104.1) and land at $520 to $1,550.
Specs and site conditions that change a Modesto bid
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.
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).
Modesto labor market for kitchen remodel
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 Modesto is 1.13 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $35.45 an hour, which is 22% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.52 and $40.15 an hour. BLS counts 1,430 of them working in the area, 73.2 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 $36.88 an hour, 21% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $28.42 and $48.36 an hour. About 770 work in the metro. That is 39.4 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 $30.42 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $26.76 and $38.00 an hour. BLS counts 470 of them working in the area, 24.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 10%) the local median is $24.50 an hour, which is 8% below the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $21.71 and $33.09 an hour. BLS counts 120 of them working in the area, 6.1 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 $31.62 an hour, 12% above the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $26.04 and $40.07 an hour. About 400 work in the metro. That is 20.5 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 $23.54 an hour, which is in line with the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $22.57 and $28.81 an hour. BLS counts 480 of them working in the area, 24.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($40.15 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $360. At the 25th percentile ($28.52) it shrinks by about $530. The total moves by 1.4% or 2.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 195,230 jobs in the Modesto area. That makes it the 117th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.13% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $28.52 | $35.45 | $40.15 | $29.12 | 1.22 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $28.42 | $36.88 | $48.36 | $30.38 | 1.21 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $26.76 | $30.42 | $38.00 | $30.67 | 0.99 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $21.71 | $24.50 | $33.09 | $26.77 | 0.92 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $26.04 | $31.62 | $40.07 | $28.33 | 1.12 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $22.57 | $23.54 | $28.81 | $23.75 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.13 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Modesto?
Because every project leans on different trades, Modesto's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, home addition runs +14% and shower pan −1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,650 – $15,800 | +12% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,950 – $24,500 | +5% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,850 – $16,100 | +7% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $43,500 – $87,900 | +14% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $900 – $2,800 | −1% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $300 – $1,500 | +1% |
Modesto: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Modesto 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
$19,700 to $25,300
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$23,900 to $29,500
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$28,100 to $33,600
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $16,500 – $21,200 | $20,100 – $24,800 | $23,600 – $28,300 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $19,700 – $25,300 | $23,900 – $29,500 | $28,100 – $33,600 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $32,600 – $41,500 | $39,300 – $48,300 | $46,000 – $55,000 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $48,600 – $61,800 | $58,500 – $71,800 | $68,400 – $81,700 |
Modesto against nearby metros and the rest of California
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Modesto. Stockton is the lowest at about $26,700 (midpoint, 120 sq ft), 30 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto, CAthis page | $19,700 – $33,600 | $26,700 | |
| Stockton, CA30 miles | $19,700 – $33,600 | $26,700 | level |
| Merced, CA30 miles | $19,800 – $33,600 | $26,700 | level |
| San Jose, CA50 miles | $20,700 – $35,200 | $28,000 | +5% |
| Santa Cruz, CA65 miles | $20,100 – $34,200 | $27,200 | +2% |
| Vallejo, CA70 miles | $20,000 – $34,100 | $27,100 | +2% |
| California (statewide) | $20,100 – $34,300 | $27,200 | +2% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | −6% |
Across 300 US metros, Modesto comes in at #30 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Modesto is 2% below the California figure.
Other California metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $20,200 – $34,400 | $27,300 | +2% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $21,200 – $36,100 | $28,700 | +8% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $19,100 – $32,600 | $25,800 | −3% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $20,400 – $34,700 | $27,600 | +3% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $20,700 – $35,200 | $28,000 | +5% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $19,800 – $33,800 | $26,800 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Modesto's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Modesto against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | −12% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $17,000 – $28,900 | $23,000 | −14% |
| Manchester, NH | 199,560 jobs | $18,300 – $31,100 | $24,700 | −7% |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $18,000 – $30,700 | $24,400 | −9% |
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Kitchen remodel in Modesto: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Modesto?
For 120 sq ft, expect $19,700 to $33,600 in the Modesto area. A standard-spec job lands at $23,900 to $29,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Modesto?
About $160 to $267 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $520 to $1,550 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Modesto or Stockton?
Stockton is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $26,700, which is 0% less than Modesto ($26,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Modesto?
About 21% at the midpoint, or $5,650 out of $26,700. Materials are 75% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Modesto?
$32,600 to $55,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Modesto?
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 Modesto area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Modesto expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of California?
Modesto is 2% below the California statewide estimate ($27,200 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Modesto?
The BLS median is $35.45 an hour in the Modesto area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.52 to $40.15.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Modesto?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $19,700 to $25,300 and premium work $28,100 to $33,600. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Modesto
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.