Kitchen remodel cost in San Francisco, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $21,200 – $36,100
- Per sq ft
- $172 – $287
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +15%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #3
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a kitchen in San Francisco, plan on $21,200 to $36,100 for 120 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $172 to $287 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 15% higher than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $42.89 an hour in the San Francisco area, 47% above 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 San Francisco, CA, standard level
$25,700 to $31,700
About $206 to $252 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 24% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,600 | $22,700 |
| Labor | $6,200 | $7,600 |
| Permits and fees | $920 | $1,400 |
| Total | $25,700 | $31,700 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in San Francisco, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,500 | $20,600 | $25,800 | 72% |
| Labor | $5,200 | $6,900 | $8,650 | 24% |
| Permits and fees | $580 | $1,150 | $1,750 | 4% |
| Total | $21,200 | $28,700 | $36,100 | 100% |
Why San Francisco 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 $42.89 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for San Francisco is 1.39 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 24% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the San Francisco metro is 108.5 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 120 sq ft comes to $20,600, compared with $19,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (115.6) and land at $580 to $1,750.
Kitchen remodel: what moves the price in San Francisco
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+.
Is San Francisco cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 120 sq ft range from $26,700 to $28,700 across San Francisco and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CAthis page | $21,200 – $36,100 | $28,700 | |
| Vallejo, CA40 miles | $20,000 – $34,100 | $27,100 | −6% |
| Napa, CA50 miles | $20,200 – $34,500 | $27,300 | −5% |
| Santa Cruz, CA55 miles | $20,100 – $34,200 | $27,200 | −5% |
| Stockton, CA55 miles | $19,700 – $33,600 | $26,700 | −7% |
| Santa Rosa, CA65 miles | $20,200 – $34,400 | $27,300 | −5% |
| California (statewide) | $20,100 – $34,300 | $27,200 | −5% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | −13% |
Across 300 US metros, San Francisco comes in at #3 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, San Francisco is 5% above 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 | −5% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $19,100 – $32,600 | $25,800 | −10% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $20,400 – $34,700 | $27,600 | −4% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $20,700 – $35,200 | $28,000 | −3% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $19,800 – $33,800 | $26,800 | −7% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $19,400 – $33,100 | $26,300 | −8% |
Cities with a workforce like San Francisco's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is San Francisco against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 2,375,760 jobs | $17,700 – $30,200 | $24,000 | −16% |
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $20,500 – $34,900 | $27,700 | −4% |
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $19,600 – $33,400 | $26,500 | −8% |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $20,000 – $34,100 | $27,000 | −6% |
Related projects, priced for San Francisco
Because every project leans on different trades, San Francisco's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, home addition runs +30% and kitchen backsplash +13%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $5,100 – $18,000 | +27% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,650 – $28,000 | +20% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $5,350 – $17,300 | +16% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $49,600 – $100,500 | +30% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,100 – $3,200 | +15% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $340 – $1,700 | +13% |
Cost by quality level and size in San Francisco
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for San Francisco 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
$21,200 to $27,200
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$25,700 to $31,700
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$30,200 to $36,100
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $17,800 – $22,800 | $21,600 – $26,600 | $25,400 – $30,400 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $21,200 – $27,200 | $25,700 – $31,700 | $30,200 – $36,100 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $35,000 – $44,600 | $42,200 – $51,900 | $49,500 – $59,100 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $52,200 – $66,400 | $62,900 – $77,100 | $73,500 – $87,800 |
San Francisco 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 San Francisco is 1.39 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $42.89 an hour, which is 47% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $30.45 and $48.26 an hour. BLS counts 14,010 of them working in the area, 59.0 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 $44.63 an hour, 47% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $33.70 and $62.63 an hour. About 9,060 work in the metro. That is 38.2 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 $37.44 an hour, which is 22% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $30.12 and $58.54 an hour. BLS counts 5,660 of them working in the area, 23.8 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 $30.98 an hour, which is 16% above the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $24.06 and $38.43 an hour. BLS counts 1,020 of them working in the area, 4.3 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 $39.50 an hour, 39% above the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $32.53 and $56.67 an hour. About 2,510 work in the metro. That is 10.6 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 $30.58 an hour, which is 29% above the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $27.13 and $37.68 an hour. BLS counts 5,310 of them working in the area, 22.4 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 ($48.26 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $410. At the 25th percentile ($30.45) it shrinks by about $960. The total moves by 1.4% or 3.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 2,373,920 jobs in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area. That makes it the 12th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 1.53% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $30.45 | $42.89 | $48.26 | $29.12 | 1.47 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $33.70 | $44.63 | $62.63 | $30.38 | 1.47 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $30.12 | $37.44 | $58.54 | $30.67 | 1.22 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $24.06 | $30.98 | $38.43 | $26.77 | 1.16 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $32.53 | $39.50 | $56.67 | $28.33 | 1.39 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $27.13 | $30.58 | $37.68 | $23.75 | 1.29 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.39 | |||||
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 $25,700 to $31,700 for San Francisco, CA is attached.
Detailed kitchen remodel report for San Francisco, CA, $9
The report lays out the kitchen remodel numbers for San Francisco, CA 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 remodel in San Francisco: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in San Francisco?
For 120 sq ft, expect $21,200 to $36,100 in the San Francisco area. A standard-spec job lands at $25,700 to $31,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in San Francisco?
About $172 to $287 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $580 to $1,750 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in San Francisco or Vallejo?
Vallejo is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $27,100, which is 6% less than San Francisco ($28,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in San Francisco?
About 24% at the midpoint, or $6,900 out of $28,700. Materials are 72% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in San Francisco?
$35,000 to $59,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in San Francisco?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $580 to $1,750 for fees in the San Francisco area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is San Francisco expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of California?
San Francisco is 5% above 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 San Francisco?
The BLS median is $42.89 an hour in the San Francisco area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $30.45 to $48.26.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in San Francisco?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $21,200 to $27,200 and premium work $30,200 to $36,100. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near San Francisco
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.