Kitchen remodel cost in Kentucky
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (120 sq ft)
- $17,500 – $29,800
- Per sq ft
- $142 – $237
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $25,000
- Metros covered
- 3
What does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Kentucky? Plan on $17,500 to $29,800 for 120 sq ft. Wages (0.90x the US blend), materials (price index 96.0) and permit costs (90.2) put the state below the national midpoint by 5%.
Inside Kentucky, the metros we cover range from $23,600 (Bowling Green) to $24,000 (Louisville) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
Estimate your kitchen remodel cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Kentucky (statewide), standard level
$21,200 to $26,100
About $171 to $208 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 19% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,400 | $20,100 |
| Labor | $4,050 | $4,950 |
| Permits and fees | $720 | $1,100 |
| Total | $21,200 | $26,100 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Kentucky
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,700 | $18,300 | $22,800 | 77% |
| Labor | $3,350 | $4,500 | $5,600 | 19% |
| Permits and fees | $450 | $900 | $1,350 | 4% |
| Total | $17,500 | $23,600 | $29,800 | 100% |
Kitchen remodel: what moves the price in Kentucky
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.
Kentucky metro-by-metro prices
1 of the 3 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $23,600, and the top-to-bottom gap is 2%. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KY | $17,800 – $30,200 | $24,000 | +2% |
| Lexington, KY | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | level |
| Bowling Green, KY | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | level |
Kentucky versus the states around it
Kentucky ranks 38 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. Kentucky sits at $23,600. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 140 miles away | $17,900 – $30,500 | $24,200 | +3% |
| Tennessee | 170 miles away | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Ohio | 210 miles away | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,700 | level |
| West Virginia | 220 miles away | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,700 | level |
| Illinois | 280 miles away | $20,300 – $34,600 | $27,500 | +16% |
What carpenters and the other trades earn in Kentucky
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 0.90 for Kentucky.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $25.33 an hour, which is 13% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.09 and $29.45 an hour. BLS counts 8,540 of them working in the state, 42.7 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 $28.71 an hour, 5% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.37 and $37.46 an hour. About 11,030 work in the state. That is 55.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 15%) the local median is $30.84 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $24.04 and $40.79 an hour. BLS counts 6,360 of them working in the state, 31.8 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 $22.78 an hour, which is 15% below the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $20.35 and $24.76 an hour. BLS counts 180 of them working in the state, 0.9 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 $23.24 an hour, 18% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $19.92 and $27.76 an hour. About 490 work in the state. That is 2.4 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 $23.13 an hour, which is in line with the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $19.33 and $28.72 an hour. BLS counts 1,390 of them working in the state, 6.9 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 ($29.45 an hour) would add about $320 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($22.09) would take off about $250. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 2,000,360 jobs across Kentucky (May 2025), which is 1.3% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $22.09 | $25.33 | $29.45 | $29.12 | 0.87 | state |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $22.37 | $28.71 | $37.46 | $30.38 | 0.95 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $24.04 | $30.84 | $40.79 | $30.67 | 1.01 | state |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $20.35 | $22.78 | $24.76 | $26.77 | 0.85 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $19.92 | $23.24 | $27.76 | $28.33 | 0.82 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $19.33 | $23.13 | $28.72 | $23.75 | 0.97 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.90 | |||||
Other Kentucky jobs that often go with kitchen remodel
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide Kentucky wages and prices. Against national midpoints, window replacement comes out highest (−6%) and home addition lowest (−9%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,950 – $12,800 | −8% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,400 – $21,700 | −7% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,200 – $14,100 | −6% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $34,500 – $70,000 | −9% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $870 – $2,600 | −7% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,400 | −8% |
Quality levels and sizes in Kentucky
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide Kentucky wages and prices. The grid 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
$24,900 to $29,800
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $14,700 – $18,800 | $17,800 – $21,900 | $20,900 – $25,000 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,500 – $22,400 | $21,200 – $26,100 | $24,900 – $29,800 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $28,900 – $36,800 | $34,800 – $42,800 | $40,800 – $48,700 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $43,100 – $54,800 | $51,900 – $63,600 | $60,700 – $72,400 |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $21,200 to $26,100 for Kentucky is attached.
Detailed kitchen remodel report for Kentucky, $9
The report lays out the kitchen remodel numbers for Kentucky 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 Kentucky: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Kentucky?
$17,500 to $29,800 for 120 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Kentucky can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Kentucky is cheapest for kitchen remodel?
Bowling Green at about $23,600 (midpoint, 120 sq ft). The priciest is Louisville at $24,000.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Kentucky than the US average?
It is 5% cheaper: $23,600 against $25,000 for 120 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in Kentucky?
About 19% ($4,500). Materials are 77%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 0.90x the national wage level.
+What do carpenters earn in Kentucky?
The BLS statewide median is $25.33 an hour, against $29.12 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.09 to $29.45.
+Where does Kentucky rank for kitchen remodel costs?
38th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $23,600 for 120 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Kentucky?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,500 to $22,400 and premium work $24,900 to $29,800. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel by city in Kentucky
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.