Kitchen remodel cost in Chicago, IL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $21,000 – $35,800
- Per sq ft
- $171 – $285
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +14%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #4
- 1 = most expensive
Chicago homeowners pay roughly $21,000 to $35,800 to remodel a kitchen at 120 sq ft, or $171 to $285 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Chicago is 14% higher. Carpenters earn a median of $38.68 an hour in the Chicago area, 33% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Chicago, IL, standard level
$25,500 to $31,300
About $205 to $251 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 25% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,400 | $22,400 |
| Labor | $6,250 | $7,650 |
| Permits and fees | $830 | $1,250 |
| Total | $25,500 | $31,300 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Chicago, IL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,300 | $20,400 | $25,500 | 72% |
| Labor | $5,200 | $6,950 | $8,700 | 25% |
| Permits and fees | $520 | $1,050 | $1,550 | 4% |
| Total | $21,000 | $28,400 | $35,800 | 100% |
Where the Chicago price comes from
Labor is 25% 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 Chicago the blended ratio comes out at 1.40.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Chicago metro is 107.3 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 120 sq ft comes to $20,400, compared with $19,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (103.6) and land at $520 to $1,550.
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Chicago is 1.40 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $38.68 an hour, which is 33% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.26 and $54.79 an hour. BLS counts 14,220 of them working in the area, 31.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 15% of the weighting: a median of $49.21 an hour, 62% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $35.77 and $57.05 an hour. About 17,720 work in the metro. That is 39.3 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 $49.70 an hour, which is 62% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $35.72 and $58.91 an hour. BLS counts 12,750 of them working in the area, 28.2 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 $35.90 an hour, which is 34% above the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $23.90 and $48.52 an hour. BLS counts 550 of them working in the area, 1.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $33.23 an hour, 17% above the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $26.61 and $53.07 an hour. About 540 work in the metro. That is 1.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 5%) the local median is $29.68 an hour, which is 25% above the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $23.54 and $46.08 an hour. BLS counts 5,480 of them working in the area, 12.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($54.79 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,250. At the 25th percentile ($28.26) it shrinks by about $800. The total moves by 4.4% or 2.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 4,513,280 jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area. That makes it the 3rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 2.90% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $28.26 | $38.68 | $54.79 | $29.12 | 1.33 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $35.77 | $49.21 | $57.05 | $30.38 | 1.62 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $35.72 | $49.70 | $58.91 | $30.67 | 1.62 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $23.90 | $35.90 | $48.52 | $26.77 | 1.34 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $26.61 | $33.23 | $53.07 | $28.33 | 1.17 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $23.54 | $29.68 | $46.08 | $23.75 | 1.25 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.40 | |||||
Chicago: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Chicago 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
$21,000 to $26,900
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$25,500 to $31,300
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$29,900 to $35,800
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $17,600 – $22,600 | $21,300 – $26,300 | $25,100 – $30,100 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $21,000 – $26,900 | $25,500 – $31,300 | $29,900 – $35,800 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $34,700 – $44,300 | $41,900 – $51,400 | $49,000 – $58,600 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $51,800 – $65,900 | $62,400 – $76,500 | $73,000 – $87,100 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Chicago bid
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.
Chicago against nearby metros and the rest of Illinois
Same job, same size (120 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Chicago is the priciest of the group. Niles is the cheapest at $23,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, ILthis page | $21,000 – $35,800 | $28,400 | |
| Niles, MI55 miles | $17,300 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −18% |
| Kenosha, WI55 miles | $19,700 – $33,400 | $26,500 | −7% |
| Racine, WI70 miles | $18,000 – $30,600 | $24,300 | −15% |
| Rockford, IL75 miles | $18,600 – $31,600 | $25,100 | −11% |
| Milwaukee, WI80 miles | $18,100 – $30,800 | $24,400 | −14% |
| Illinois (statewide) | $20,300 – $34,600 | $27,500 | −3% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | −12% |
Across 300 US metros, Chicago comes in at #4 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Chicago is 3% above the Illinois figure.
Other Illinois metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | 166,020 jobs | $18,500 – $31,400 | $24,900 | −12% |
| Rockford, IL | 137,650 jobs | $18,600 – $31,600 | $25,100 | −11% |
| Champaign, IL | 105,500 jobs | $18,600 – $31,600 | $25,100 | −12% |
| Springfield, IL | 100,810 jobs | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,200 | −11% |
| Bloomington, IL | 88,110 jobs | $18,300 – $31,200 | $24,800 | −13% |
Cities with a workforce like Chicago's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Chicago against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $20,200 – $34,400 | $27,300 | −4% |
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $18,400 – $31,400 | $24,900 | −12% |
| New York, NY | 9,492,000 jobs | $20,800 – $35,500 | $28,200 | −1% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $18,100 – $30,800 | $24,400 | −14% |
Planning more than one job in Chicago?
Because every project leans on different trades, Chicago's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, shower pan runs +30% and window replacement +10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,950 – $17,300 | +22% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,850 – $29,100 | +25% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $5,000 – $16,500 | +10% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $49,000 – $99,000 | +29% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,300 – $3,550 | +30% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $360 – $1,750 | +18% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Kitchen remodel in Chicago: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Chicago?
For 120 sq ft, expect $21,000 to $35,800 in the Chicago area. A standard-spec job lands at $25,500 to $31,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Chicago?
About $171 to $285 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 Chicago or Niles?
Niles is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,400, which is 18% less than Chicago ($28,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chicago?
About 25% at the midpoint, or $6,950 out of $28,400. Materials are 72% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Chicago?
$34,700 to $58,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Chicago?
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 Chicago area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Chicago expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Illinois?
Chicago is 3% above the Illinois statewide estimate ($27,500 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Illinois; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Chicago?
The BLS median is $38.68 an hour in the Chicago area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.26 to $54.79.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Chicago?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $21,000 to $26,900 and premium work $29,900 to $35,800. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Chicago
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.