Kitchen remodel cost in Rockford, IL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $18,600 – $31,600
- Per sq ft
- $151 – $252
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #74
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a kitchen in Rockford, plan on $18,600 to $31,600 for 120 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $151 to $252 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $34.99 an hour in the Rockford area, 20% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Rockford, IL, standard level
$22,500 to $27,700
About $182 to $222 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 25% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,000 | $19,600 |
| Labor | $5,750 | $7,050 |
| Permits and fees | $740 | $1,100 |
| Total | $22,500 | $27,700 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Rockford, IL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,400 | $17,800 | $22,300 | 71% |
| Labor | $4,800 | $6,400 | $8,000 | 25% |
| Permits and fees | $460 | $920 | $1,400 | 4% |
| Total | $18,600 | $25,100 | $31,600 | 100% |
Where the Rockford 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 $34.99 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Rockford is 1.29 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 25% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Rockford metro is 93.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 120 sq ft comes to $17,800, compared with $19,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (92.2) and land at $460 to $1,400.
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 Rockford. The wage table below marks each row.
Kitchen remodel: what moves the price in Rockford
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.
Counters
New countertops are $50-$150 per square foot installed; HomeGuide gives $1,500-$6,000 for an average kitchen.
Rockford 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 Rockford is 1.29 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $34.99 an hour, which is 20% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $27.33 and $47.16 an hour. BLS counts 810 of them working in the area, 58.8 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 $44.85 an hour, 48% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $35.68 and $51.27 an hour. About 370 work in the metro. That is 26.9 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 $45.31 an hour, which is 48% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $30.80 and $56.91 an hour. BLS counts 440 of them working in the area, 32.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Rockford metro, so we used the Illinois statewide median: $32.29 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.20 and $44.83 an hour.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Rockford metro, so we used the Illinois statewide median: $30.38 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $24.78 and $49.27 an hour.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 5%) the local median is $34.95 an hour, which is 47% above the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $26.10 and $45.67 an hour. BLS counts 130 of them working in the area, 9.4 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 ($47.16 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $940. At the 25th percentile ($27.33) it shrinks by about $590. The total moves by 3.7% or 2.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 137,650 jobs in the Rockford area. That makes it the 161st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.09% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $27.33 | $34.99 | $47.16 | $29.12 | 1.20 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $35.68 | $44.85 | $51.27 | $30.38 | 1.48 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $30.80 | $45.31 | $56.91 | $30.67 | 1.48 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $23.20 | $32.29 | $44.83 | $26.77 | 1.21 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $24.78 | $30.38 | $49.27 | $28.33 | 1.07 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $26.10 | $34.95 | $45.67 | $23.75 | 1.47 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.29 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: kitchen remodel pricing in Rockford
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Rockford 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
$18,600 to $23,800
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$22,500 to $27,700
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$26,400 to $31,600
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $15,600 – $20,000 | $18,900 – $23,300 | $22,200 – $26,600 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $18,600 – $23,800 | $22,500 – $27,700 | $26,400 – $31,600 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $30,700 – $39,200 | $37,100 – $45,500 | $43,400 – $51,800 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $45,900 – $58,300 | $55,200 – $67,700 | $64,600 – $77,000 |
Is Rockford cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Rockford. Racine is the lowest at about $24,300 (midpoint, 120 sq ft), 70 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford, ILthis page | $18,600 – $31,600 | $25,100 | |
| Janesville, WI25 miles | $18,400 – $31,200 | $24,800 | −1% |
| Madison, WI60 miles | $18,100 – $30,900 | $24,500 | −3% |
| Kenosha, WI60 miles | $19,700 – $33,400 | $26,500 | +6% |
| Racine, WI70 miles | $18,000 – $30,600 | $24,300 | −3% |
| Milwaukee, WI70 miles | $18,100 – $30,800 | $24,400 | −3% |
| Illinois (statewide) | $20,300 – $34,600 | $27,500 | +9% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | −1% |
Across 300 US metros, Rockford comes in at #74 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Rockford is 8% below the Illinois figure.
Other Illinois metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | 4,513,280 jobs | $21,000 – $35,800 | $28,400 | +13% |
| Peoria, IL | 166,020 jobs | $18,500 – $31,400 | $24,900 | −1% |
| Champaign, IL | 105,500 jobs | $18,600 – $31,600 | $25,100 | level |
| Springfield, IL | 100,810 jobs | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,200 | level |
| Bloomington, IL | 88,110 jobs | $18,300 – $31,200 | $24,800 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Rockford's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Rockford against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | −6% |
| Evansville, IN | 135,250 jobs | $18,000 – $30,600 | $24,300 | −3% |
| Huntington, WV | 140,740 jobs | $17,700 – $30,000 | $23,800 | −5% |
| Flint, MI | 135,040 jobs | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,100 | −4% |
What nearby projects cost in Rockford
Because every project leans on different trades, Rockford's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, shower pan runs +16% and window replacement −1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,350 – $15,500 | +9% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,350 – $26,500 | +14% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,500 – $14,800 | −1% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $43,600 – $88,200 | +15% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,150 – $3,150 | +16% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $320 – $1,550 | +5% |
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Kitchen remodel in Rockford: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Rockford?
For 120 sq ft, expect $18,600 to $31,600 in the Rockford area. A standard-spec job lands at $22,500 to $27,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Rockford?
About $151 to $252 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $460 to $1,400 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Rockford or Janesville?
Janesville is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $24,800, which is 1% less than Rockford ($25,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Rockford?
About 25% at the midpoint, or $6,400 out of $25,100. Materials are 71% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Rockford?
$30,700 to $51,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Rockford?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $460 to $1,400 for fees in the Rockford area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Rockford expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Illinois?
Rockford is 8% below 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 Rockford?
The BLS median is $34.99 an hour in the Rockford area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.33 to $47.16.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Rockford?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $18,600 to $23,800 and premium work $26,400 to $31,600. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Rockford
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.