Kitchen remodel cost in Iowa City, IA
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
- #265
- 1 = most expensive
A kitchen remodel in Iowa City, IA usually costs $17,100 to $29,200 for 120 sq ft. That works out to about $139 to $232 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $1,850 less. 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 Iowa City, IA, standard level
$20,700 to $25,600
About $167 to $204 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 19% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,000 | $19,600 |
| Labor | $3,950 | $4,850 |
| Permits and fees | $730 | $1,100 |
| Total | $20,700 | $25,600 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Iowa City, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,400 | $17,800 | $22,300 | 77% |
| Labor | $3,300 | $4,400 | $5,500 | 19% |
| Permits and fees | $460 | $920 | $1,350 | 4% |
| Total | $17,100 | $23,100 | $29,200 | 100% |
Why Iowa City prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $23.89 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Iowa City is 0.88 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 19% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Iowa City is at 93.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $19,000 nationally becomes $17,800 here (midpoint, 120 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.5: $460 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 Iowa City. The wage table below marks each row.
Iowa City against nearby metros and the rest of Iowa
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Iowa City. Waterloo comes closest at about $23,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IAthis page | $17,100 – $29,200 | $23,100 | |
| Cedar Rapids, IA40 miles | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | +2% |
| Davenport, IA60 miles | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,100 | +4% |
| Dubuque, IA75 miles | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | +2% |
| Waterloo, IA80 miles | $17,400 – $29,500 | $23,400 | +1% |
| Des Moines, IA110 miles | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | +3% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | +1% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Iowa City ranks #265 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Iowa City is 1% below the Iowa figure.
Elsewhere in Iowa
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | +3% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,100 | +4% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | +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 | +2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Iowa City against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 93,800 jobs | $18,200 – $31,000 | $24,600 | +6% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,100 | +9% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | +10% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $20,000 – $34,000 | $27,000 | +17% |
What local crews earn in Iowa City
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 Iowa City the blend is 0.88.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $23.89 an hour, 18% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.98 and $29.70 an hour. About 360 work in the metro. That is 38.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 15%) the local median is $28.61 an hour, which is 6% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $21.93 and $34.19 an hour. BLS counts 370 of them working in the area, 39.5 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 $29.49 an hour, 4% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.29 and $36.43 an hour. About 190 work in the metro. That is 20.3 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 Iowa City 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 Iowa City 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.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 5% of the weighting: a median of $21.62 an hour, 9% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $18.21 and $26.85 an hour. About 90 work in the metro. That is 9.6 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 $450 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $150. That is a swing of roughly 0.6% to 1.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Iowa City has 93,760 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 214th 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% | $21.98 | $23.89 | $29.70 | $29.12 | 0.82 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $21.93 | $28.61 | $34.19 | $30.38 | 0.94 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $23.29 | $29.49 | $36.43 | $30.67 | 0.96 | 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% | $18.21 | $21.62 | $26.85 | $23.75 | 0.91 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.88 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Iowa City
Jobs that often go together with kitchen remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Iowa City wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, shower pan comes out highest (−5%) and kitchen cabinets lowest (−11%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,850 – $12,400 | −11% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,350 – $21,600 | −7% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,200 – $14,000 | −7% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $34,100 – $69,000 | −10% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $890 – $2,650 | −5% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $280 – $1,400 | −5% |
Cost by quality level and size in Iowa City
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Iowa City. 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 $21,900
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$20,700 to $25,600
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$24,300 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 – $21,900 | $20,700 – $25,600 | $24,300 – $29,200 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $28,200 – $36,000 | $34,100 – $41,900 | $39,900 – $47,700 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $42,100 – $53,600 | $50,800 – $62,200 | $59,400 – $70,800 |
Kitchen remodel: what moves the price in Iowa City
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.
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Kitchen remodel in Iowa City: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Iowa City?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,100 to $29,200 in the Iowa City area. A standard-spec job lands at $20,700 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 Iowa City?
About $139 to $232 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $460 to $1,350 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Iowa City or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,600, which is 2% more than Iowa City ($23,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Iowa City?
About 19% at the midpoint, or $4,400 out of $23,100. Materials are 77% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Iowa City?
$28,200 to $47,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Iowa City?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $460 to $1,350 for fees in the Iowa City area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Iowa City expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Iowa?
Iowa City is 1% below 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 Iowa City?
The BLS median is $23.89 an hour in the Iowa City area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.98 to $29.70.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Iowa City?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,100 to $21,900 and premium work $24,300 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 Iowa City
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.