Kitchen remodel cost in Cedar Rapids, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $17,500 – $29,700
- Per sq ft
- $142 – $237
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #178
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a kitchen in Cedar Rapids, plan on $17,500 to $29,700 for 120 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $142 to $237 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 6% lower than the national one. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Cedar Rapids, IA, standard level
$21,200 to $26,100
About $170 to $208 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 21% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,000 | $19,600 |
| Labor | $4,400 | $5,400 |
| Permits and fees | $710 | $1,050 |
| Total | $21,200 | $26,100 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Cedar Rapids, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,400 | $17,800 | $22,300 | 75% |
| Labor | $3,650 | $4,900 | $6,100 | 21% |
| Permits and fees | $440 | $890 | $1,350 | 4% |
| Total | $17,500 | $23,600 | $29,700 | 100% |
What is behind the Cedar Rapids number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $28.33 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Cedar Rapids is 0.98 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 21% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Cedar Rapids metro is 93.7 (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 (89.0) and land at $440 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 Cedar Rapids. The wage table below marks each row.
Cedar Rapids against nearby metros and the rest of Iowa
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 $23,100 to $24,100 across Cedar Rapids and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IAthis page | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | |
| Iowa City, IA40 miles | $17,100 – $29,200 | $23,100 | −2% |
| Dubuque, IA45 miles | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Waterloo, IA55 miles | $17,400 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −1% |
| Davenport, IA75 miles | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,100 | +2% |
| La Crosse, WI115 miles | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,100 | +2% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | −1% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +6% |
Across 300 US metros, Cedar Rapids comes in at #178 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Cedar Rapids is 1% above the Iowa figure.
Other Iowa metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | +1% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,100 | +2% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $17,100 – $29,200 | $23,100 | −2% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $17,400 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −1% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,400 | −1% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Cedar Rapids's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Cedar Rapids against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington, WV | 140,740 jobs | $17,700 – $30,000 | $23,800 | +1% |
| Rockford, IL | 137,650 jobs | $18,600 – $31,600 | $25,100 | +6% |
| Vallejo, CA | 144,130 jobs | $20,000 – $34,100 | $27,100 | +15% |
| Evansville, IN | 135,250 jobs | $18,000 – $30,600 | $24,300 | +3% |
Kitchen remodel: what moves the price in Cedar Rapids
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.
Cost by quality level and size in Cedar Rapids
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Cedar Rapids 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
$17,500 to $22,400
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$21,200 to $26,100
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$24,800 to $29,700
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $14,600 – $18,800 | $17,800 – $21,900 | $20,900 – $25,000 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,500 – $22,400 | $21,200 – $26,100 | $24,800 – $29,700 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $28,900 – $36,800 | $34,800 – $42,700 | $40,700 – $48,700 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $43,100 – $54,800 | $51,800 – $63,600 | $60,600 – $72,400 |
What nearby projects cost in Cedar Rapids
Because every project leans on different trades, Cedar Rapids's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, shower pan runs +4% and kitchen backsplash −5%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,000 – $13,400 | −4% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,600 – $22,900 | −2% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,300 – $14,300 | −5% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $36,500 – $73,800 | −4% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,000 – $2,850 | +4% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $290 – $1,450 | −5% |
Cedar Rapids 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 Cedar Rapids is 0.98 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $28.33 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.11 and $31.75 an hour. BLS counts 530 of them working in the area, 38.1 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 $24.15 an hour, 21% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $19.28 and $30.12 an hour. About 1,690 work in the metro. That is 121.4 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 $40.01 an hour, which is 30% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $24.95 and $41.02 an hour. BLS counts 780 of them working in the area, 56.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Cedar Rapids metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median: $26.13 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.11 and $34.11 an hour.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Cedar Rapids metro, so we used the Iowa statewide median: $24.53 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $21.54 and $29.70 an hour.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 5%) the local median is $22.21 an hour, which is 6% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $19.94 and $28.81 an hour. BLS counts 290 of them working in the area, 20.8 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 ($31.75 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $260. At the 25th percentile ($23.11) it shrinks by about $400. The total moves by 1.1% or 1.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 139,260 jobs in the Cedar Rapids area. That makes it the 160th 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% | $23.11 | $28.33 | $31.75 | $29.12 | 0.97 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $19.28 | $24.15 | $30.12 | $30.38 | 0.79 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $24.95 | $40.01 | $41.02 | $30.67 | 1.30 | metro |
| 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% | $19.94 | $22.21 | $28.81 | $23.75 | 0.94 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.98 | |||||
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Detailed kitchen remodel report for Cedar Rapids, IA, $9
The report lays out the kitchen remodel numbers for Cedar Rapids, IA 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 Cedar Rapids: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Cedar Rapids?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,500 to $29,700 in the Cedar Rapids area. A standard-spec job lands at $21,200 to $26,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Cedar Rapids?
About $142 to $237 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $440 to $1,350 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Cedar Rapids or Iowa City?
Iowa City is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,100, which is 2% less than Cedar Rapids ($23,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Cedar Rapids?
About 21% at the midpoint, or $4,900 out of $23,600. Materials are 75% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Cedar Rapids?
$28,900 to $48,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Cedar Rapids?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $440 to $1,350 for fees in the Cedar Rapids area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Cedar Rapids expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Iowa?
Cedar Rapids is 1% above the Iowa statewide estimate ($23,500 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Cedar Rapids?
The BLS median is $28.33 an hour in the Cedar Rapids area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.11 to $31.75.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Cedar Rapids?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,500 to $22,400 and premium work $24,800 to $29,700. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Cedar Rapids
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.