Kitchen remodel cost in Columbus, GA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $17,100 – $29,200
- Per sq ft
- $139 – $232
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −7%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #263
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a kitchen remodel in the Columbus area: $17,100 to $29,200 for 120 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 7% lower than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $21.67 an hour in the Columbus area, 26% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Columbus, GA, standard level
$20,800 to $25,600
About $167 to $204 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 17% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $20,200 |
| Labor | $3,550 | $4,350 |
| Permits and fees | $710 | $1,050 |
| Total | $20,800 | $25,600 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Columbus, GA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,700 | $18,300 | $22,900 | 79% |
| Labor | $2,950 | $3,950 | $4,950 | 17% |
| Permits and fees | $450 | $890 | $1,350 | 4% |
| Total | $17,100 | $23,200 | $29,200 | 100% |
Why Columbus prices look the way they do
Labor is 17% of the midpoint bill here, against 20% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (45%), electricians (15%), plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (15%), tile and stone setters (10%), drywall and ceiling tile installers (10%), painters, construction and maintenance (5%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Columbus the blended ratio comes out at 0.79.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Columbus is at 96.3 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $19,000 nationally becomes $18,300 here (midpoint, 120 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 89.3: $450 to $1,350.
Data note: 20% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Columbus. The wage table below marks each row.
Related projects, priced for Columbus
Jobs that often go together with kitchen remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Columbus wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, window replacement comes out highest (−8%) and home addition lowest (−16%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,800 – $11,800 | −15% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,150 – $20,500 | −12% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,100 – $13,800 | −8% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $31,800 – $64,500 | −16% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $770 – $2,450 | −14% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,400 | −8% |
Columbus: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Columbus. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small kitchen (100 sq ft) to large kitchen (300 sq ft).
Basic
$17,100 to $22,000
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$20,800 to $25,600
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$24,400 to $29,200
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $14,400 – $18,400 | $17,400 – $21,500 | $20,500 – $24,500 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,100 – $22,000 | $20,800 – $25,600 | $24,400 – $29,200 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $28,300 – $36,100 | $34,100 – $41,900 | $39,900 – $47,700 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $42,200 – $53,700 | $50,800 – $62,300 | $59,400 – $70,900 |
Who does the work: Columbus trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 6 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Columbus the blend is 0.79.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $21.67 an hour, 26% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $18.12 and $23.33 an hour. About 140 work in the metro. That is 12.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 15%) the local median is $24.39 an hour, which is 20% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $19.59 and $29.96 an hour. BLS counts 480 of them working in the area, 41.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 15% of the weighting: a median of $22.79 an hour, 26% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $20.58 and $29.28 an hour. About 200 work in the metro. That is 17.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Columbus metro, so we used the Georgia statewide median: $23.00 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $20.94 and $27.57 an hour.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Columbus metro, so we used the Georgia statewide median: $28.01 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $24.62 and $29.83 an hour.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 5% of the weighting: a median of $19.28 an hour, 19% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $17.20 and $21.31 an hour. About 90 work in the metro. That is 7.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $130 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $270. That is a swing of roughly 1.2% to 0.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Columbus has 116,380 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 187th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $18.12 | $21.67 | $23.33 | $29.12 | 0.74 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $19.59 | $24.39 | $29.96 | $30.38 | 0.80 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $20.58 | $22.79 | $29.28 | $30.67 | 0.74 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $20.94 | $23.00 | $27.57 | $26.77 | 0.86 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $24.62 | $28.01 | $29.83 | $28.33 | 0.99 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $17.20 | $19.28 | $21.31 | $23.75 | 0.81 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.79 | |||||
Why two Columbus quotes can differ
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).
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.
Is Columbus cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (120 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Warner Robins is the priciest of the group at $23,600. Dothan is the cheapest at $22,900.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, GAthis page | $17,100 – $29,200 | $23,200 | |
| Auburn, AL40 miles | $17,200 – $29,200 | $23,200 | level |
| Warner Robins, GA65 miles | $17,400 – $29,700 | $23,600 | +2% |
| Albany, GA70 miles | $17,100 – $29,000 | $23,100 | level |
| Macon, GA70 miles | $17,100 – $29,100 | $23,100 | level |
| Dothan, AL90 miles | $17,000 – $28,900 | $22,900 | −1% |
| Georgia (statewide) | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,100 | +4% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Columbus ranks #263 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Columbus is 4% below the Georgia figure.
Elsewhere in Georgia
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $18,200 – $30,900 | $24,500 | +6% |
| Augusta, GA | 231,930 jobs | $17,700 – $30,100 | $23,900 | +3% |
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | +1% |
| Gainesville, GA | 103,870 jobs | $17,300 – $29,500 | $23,400 | +1% |
| Athens, GA | 95,800 jobs | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,300 | +1% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $17,100 – $29,100 | $23,100 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Columbus against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longview, TX | 118,060 jobs | $16,800 – $28,600 | $22,700 | −2% |
| Topeka, KS | 115,750 jobs | $17,300 – $29,500 | $23,400 | +1% |
| Utica, NY | 118,390 jobs | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +8% |
| Tyler, TX | 115,220 jobs | $16,700 – $28,400 | $22,600 | −3% |
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Kitchen remodel in Columbus: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Columbus?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,100 to $29,200 in the Columbus area. A standard-spec job lands at $20,800 to $25,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Columbus?
About $139 to $232 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $450 to $1,350 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Columbus or Auburn?
Auburn is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,200, which is 0% more than Columbus ($23,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Columbus?
About 17% at the midpoint, or $3,950 out of $23,200. Materials are 79% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Columbus?
$28,300 to $47,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Columbus?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $450 to $1,350 for fees in the Columbus area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Columbus expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Georgia?
Columbus is 4% below the Georgia statewide estimate ($24,100 at the midpoint). We cover 10 metros in Georgia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Columbus?
The BLS median is $21.67 an hour in the Columbus area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.12 to $23.33.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Columbus?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,100 to $22,000 and premium work $24,400 to $29,200. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Columbus
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.