Kitchen remodel cost in Iowa
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (120 sq ft)
- $17,400 – $29,600
- Per sq ft
- $141 – $235
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $25,000
- Metros covered
- 7
What does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Iowa? Plan on $17,400 to $29,600 for 120 sq ft. Wages (0.96x the US blend), materials (price index 93.7) and permit costs (87.8) put the state below the national midpoint by 6%.
Inside Iowa, the metros we cover range from $23,100 (Iowa City) to $24,100 (Davenport) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Iowa (statewide), standard level
$21,000 to $25,900
About $169 to $207 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 20% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,000 | $19,600 |
| Labor | $4,300 | $5,250 |
| Permits and fees | $700 | $1,050 |
| Total | $21,000 | $25,900 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Iowa
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,400 | $17,800 | $22,300 | 76% |
| Labor | $3,600 | $4,750 | $5,950 | 20% |
| Permits and fees | $440 | $880 | $1,300 | 4% |
| Total | $17,400 | $23,500 | $29,600 | 100% |
Iowa labor market for kitchen remodel
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 6 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 0.96 for Iowa.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $27.75 an hour, which is 5% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.91 and $31.69 an hour. BLS counts 5,770 of them working in the state, 37.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Electricians (47-2111), 15% of the weighting: a median of $29.26 an hour, 4% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.31 and $38.45 an hour. About 10,310 work in the state. That is 66.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 15%) the local median is $30.72 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $24.95 and $41.02 an hour. BLS counts 5,730 of them working in the state, 36.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 10%) the local median is $26.13 an hour, which is in line with the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $23.11 and $34.11 an hour. BLS counts 240 of them working in the state, 1.5 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 $24.53 an hour, 13% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $21.54 and $29.70 an hour. About 290 work in the state. That is 1.9 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 $23.90 an hour, which is in line with the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $20.70 and $29.54 an hour. BLS counts 1,770 of them working in the state, 11.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for carpenters ($31.69 an hour) would add about $300 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($22.91) would take off about $370. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 1,559,240 jobs across Iowa (May 2025), which is 1.0% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $22.91 | $27.75 | $31.69 | $29.12 | 0.95 | state |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $22.31 | $29.26 | $38.45 | $30.38 | 0.96 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $24.95 | $30.72 | $41.02 | $30.67 | 1.00 | state |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $23.11 | $26.13 | $34.11 | $26.77 | 0.98 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $21.54 | $24.53 | $29.70 | $28.33 | 0.87 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $20.70 | $23.90 | $29.54 | $23.75 | 1.01 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.96 | |||||
Iowa versus the states around it
Iowa ranks 43 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for kitchen remodel, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $29,500 and the cheapest Arkansas at $22,500, both for 120 sq ft at the midpoint. Iowa sits at $23,500. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | 190 miles away | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,300 | −1% |
| Missouri | 220 miles away | $18,100 – $30,700 | $24,400 | +4% |
| Wisconsin | 230 miles away | $18,000 – $30,700 | $24,300 | +4% |
| Minnesota | 240 miles away | $19,200 – $32,700 | $26,000 | +11% |
| Illinois | 240 miles away | $20,300 – $34,600 | $27,500 | +17% |
Which Iowa city is cheapest for kitchen remodel?
3 of the 7 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $23,500, and the top-to-bottom gap is 4%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (120 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IA | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,100 | +3% |
| Des Moines, IA | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | +2% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | +1% |
| Dubuque, IA | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Waterloo, IA | $17,400 – $29,500 | $23,400 | level |
| Sioux City, IA | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,400 | −1% |
| Iowa City, IA | $17,100 – $29,200 | $23,100 | −1% |
Kitchen remodel: what moves the price in Iowa
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.
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.
Related projects, priced for Iowa
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide Iowa wages and prices. Against national midpoints, shower pan comes out highest (−4%) and kitchen cabinets lowest (−6%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,000 – $13,200 | −6% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,450 – $22,200 | −5% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,300 – $14,300 | −5% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $35,900 – $72,700 | −6% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $910 – $2,650 | −4% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $290 – $1,450 | −5% |
Quality levels and sizes in Iowa
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide Iowa wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$17,400 to $22,300
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$21,000 to $25,900
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$24,700 to $29,600
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $14,600 – $18,700 | $17,700 – $21,800 | $20,700 – $24,900 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,400 – $22,300 | $21,000 – $25,900 | $24,700 – $29,600 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $28,700 – $36,600 | $34,600 – $42,500 | $40,500 – $48,400 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $42,800 – $54,500 | $51,500 – $63,200 | $60,300 – $71,900 |
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Kitchen remodel in Iowa: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Iowa?
$17,400 to $29,600 for 120 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Iowa can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Iowa is cheapest for kitchen remodel?
Iowa City at about $23,100 (midpoint, 120 sq ft). The priciest is Davenport at $24,100.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Iowa than the US average?
It is 6% cheaper: $23,500 against $25,000 for 120 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in Iowa?
About 20% ($4,750). Materials are 76%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 0.96x the national wage level.
+What do carpenters earn in Iowa?
The BLS statewide median is $27.75 an hour, against $29.12 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.91 to $31.69.
+Where does Iowa rank for kitchen remodel costs?
43rd most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $23,500 for 120 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Iowa?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,400 to $22,300 and premium work $24,700 to $29,600. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel by city in Iowa
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.