Kitchen remodel cost in Riverside, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $19,100 – $32,600
- Per sq ft
- $155 – $258
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #45
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a kitchen in Riverside, plan on $19,100 to $32,600 for 120 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $155 to $258 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 3% higher than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $34.08 an hour in the Riverside area, 17% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Riverside, CA, standard level
$23,200 to $28,500
About $186 to $227 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 21% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,400 | $21,200 |
| Labor | $4,950 | $6,050 |
| Permits and fees | $850 | $1,300 |
| Total | $23,200 | $28,500 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Riverside, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $14,500 | $19,300 | $24,100 | 75% |
| Labor | $4,100 | $5,500 | $6,850 | 21% |
| Permits and fees | $530 | $1,050 | $1,600 | 4% |
| Total | $19,100 | $25,800 | $32,600 | 100% |
Where the Riverside price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $34.08 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Riverside is 1.10 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 21% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Riverside metro is 101.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 120 sq ft comes to $19,300, compared with $19,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (106.4) and land at $530 to $1,600.
Riverside 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 Riverside is 1.10 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $34.08 an hour, which is 17% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $26.27 and $43.08 an hour. BLS counts 12,970 of them working in the area, 75.5 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 $35.00 an hour, 15% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $26.00 and $46.89 an hour. About 7,880 work in the metro. That is 45.9 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 $30.73 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $25.57 and $39.06 an hour. BLS counts 4,510 of them working in the area, 26.3 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 $26.37 an hour, which is in line with the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $22.13 and $32.47 an hour. BLS counts 940 of them working in the area, 5.5 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 $29.53 an hour, 4% above the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $22.89 and $36.18 an hour. About 3,640 work in the metro. That is 21.2 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 $23.51 an hour, which is in line with the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $21.40 and $30.01 an hour. BLS counts 3,750 of them working in the area, 21.8 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 ($43.08 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $690. At the 25th percentile ($26.27) it shrinks by about $600. The total moves by 2.7% or 2.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,716,760 jobs in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario area. That makes it the 16th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 1.10% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $26.27 | $34.08 | $43.08 | $29.12 | 1.17 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $26.00 | $35.00 | $46.89 | $30.38 | 1.15 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $25.57 | $30.73 | $39.06 | $30.67 | 1.00 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $22.13 | $26.37 | $32.47 | $26.77 | 0.99 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $22.89 | $29.53 | $36.18 | $28.33 | 1.04 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $21.40 | $23.51 | $30.01 | $23.75 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.10 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Riverside
Because every project leans on different trades, Riverside's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, home addition runs +9% and shower pan +1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,500 – $15,300 | +9% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,850 – $24,100 | +3% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,700 – $15,600 | +4% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $41,300 – $83,700 | +9% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $930 – $2,850 | +1% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $300 – $1,500 | +1% |
Riverside against nearby metros and the rest of California
Same job, same size (120 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. San Diego is the priciest of the group at $27,600. Las Vegas is the cheapest at $24,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside, CAthis page | $19,100 – $32,600 | $25,800 | |
| San Diego, CA110 miles | $20,400 – $34,700 | $27,600 | +7% |
| El Centro, CA115 miles | $19,900 – $33,700 | $26,800 | +4% |
| Los Angeles, CA120 miles | $20,200 – $34,400 | $27,300 | +6% |
| Las Vegas, NV130 miles | $18,100 – $30,800 | $24,500 | −5% |
| Bakersfield, CA155 miles | $19,600 – $33,400 | $26,500 | +3% |
| California (statewide) | $20,100 – $34,300 | $27,200 | +5% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | −3% |
Across 300 US metros, Riverside comes in at #45 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Riverside is 5% 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 | +6% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $21,200 – $36,100 | $28,700 | +11% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $20,400 – $34,700 | $27,600 | +7% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $20,700 – $35,200 | $28,000 | +8% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $19,800 – $33,800 | $26,800 | +4% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $19,400 – $33,100 | $26,300 | +2% |
Cities with a workforce like Riverside's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Riverside against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | −2% |
| Denver, CO | 1,609,350 jobs | $18,900 – $32,100 | $25,500 | −1% |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $20,000 – $34,100 | $27,000 | +5% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $20,400 – $34,700 | $27,600 | +7% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: kitchen remodel pricing in Riverside
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Riverside 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
$19,100 to $24,500
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$23,200 to $28,500
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$27,200 to $32,600
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $16,000 – $20,600 | $19,400 – $24,000 | $22,900 – $27,400 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $19,100 – $24,500 | $23,200 – $28,500 | $27,200 – $32,600 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $31,500 – $40,200 | $38,000 – $46,700 | $44,500 – $53,200 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $47,000 – $59,800 | $56,600 – $69,400 | $66,200 – $79,000 |
Why two Riverside quotes can differ
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.
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 $23,200 to $28,500 for Riverside, CA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Riverside, CA: 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 Riverside: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Riverside?
For 120 sq ft, expect $19,100 to $32,600 in the Riverside area. A standard-spec job lands at $23,200 to $28,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Riverside?
About $155 to $258 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $530 to $1,600 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Riverside or San Diego?
San Diego is 110 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $27,600, which is 7% more than Riverside ($25,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Riverside?
About 21% at the midpoint, or $5,500 out of $25,800. Materials are 75% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Riverside?
$31,500 to $53,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Riverside?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $530 to $1,600 for fees in the Riverside area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Riverside expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of California?
Riverside is 5% 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 Riverside?
The BLS median is $34.08 an hour in the Riverside area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $26.27 to $43.08.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Riverside?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $19,100 to $24,500 and premium work $27,200 to $32,600. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Riverside
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.