Kitchen remodel cost in Lexington, KY
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $17,500 – $29,800
- Per sq ft
- $142 – $237
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #170
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a kitchen remodel in the Lexington area: $17,500 to $29,800 for 120 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 5% lower than the US figure. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.2).
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Lexington, KY, standard level
$21,200 to $26,100
About $170 to $208 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 19% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $20,100 |
| Labor | $3,950 | $4,850 |
| Permits and fees | $740 | $1,100 |
| Total | $21,200 | $26,100 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Lexington, KY
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,700 | $18,300 | $22,900 | 77% |
| Labor | $3,300 | $4,400 | $5,500 | 19% |
| Permits and fees | $460 | $930 | $1,400 | 4% |
| Total | $17,500 | $23,600 | $29,800 | 100% |
What is behind the Lexington number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $25.01 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Lexington 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. Lexington is at 96.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $19,000 nationally becomes $18,300 here (midpoint, 120 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.9: $460 to $1,400.
Who does the work: Lexington trade wages
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 Lexington the blend is 0.88.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $25.01 an hour, 14% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.63 and $29.61 an hour. About 1,200 work in the metro. That is 41.8 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 $27.56 an hour, which is 9% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $21.03 and $32.38 an hour. BLS counts 1,500 of them working in the area, 52.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is about average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 15% of the weighting: a median of $29.75 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.55 and $39.11 an hour. About 810 work in the metro. That is 28.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.00 an hour, 14% below the US median of $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $22.34 and $26.32 an hour. About 50 work in the metro. That is 1.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081, weighted 10%) the local median is $23.24 an hour, which is 18% below the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $20.29 and $27.63 an hour. BLS counts 60 of them working in the area, 2.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 5.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 5% of the weighting: a median of $22.95 an hour, 3% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $18.48 and $29.21 an hour. About 240 work in the metro. That is 8.4 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 $350 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $180. That is a swing of roughly 0.8% to 1.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Lexington-Fayette has 286,910 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 90th 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% | $22.63 | $25.01 | $29.61 | $29.12 | 0.86 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $21.03 | $27.56 | $32.38 | $30.38 | 0.91 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $23.55 | $29.75 | $39.11 | $30.67 | 0.97 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $22.34 | $23.00 | $26.32 | $26.77 | 0.86 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $20.29 | $23.24 | $27.63 | $28.33 | 0.82 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $18.48 | $22.95 | $29.21 | $23.75 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.88 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Lexington
Jobs that often go together with kitchen remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Lexington wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, window replacement comes out highest (−7%) and home addition lowest (−10%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,950 – $12,800 | −8% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,350 – $21,600 | −7% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,150 – $14,000 | −7% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $34,300 – $69,500 | −10% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $860 – $2,600 | −7% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,400 | −8% |
Lexington: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Lexington. 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
$17,500 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 – $42,700 | $40,800 – $48,700 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $43,000 – $54,800 | $51,800 – $63,600 | $60,600 – $72,400 |
Is Lexington cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Lexington. Dayton is the lowest at about $23,500 (midpoint, 120 sq ft), 120 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington, KYthis page | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | |
| Cincinnati, OH65 miles | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,700 | level |
| Louisville, KY70 miles | $17,800 – $30,200 | $24,000 | +2% |
| Huntington, WV100 miles | $17,700 – $30,000 | $23,800 | +1% |
| Dayton, OH120 miles | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Bowling Green, KY130 miles | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | level |
| Kentucky (statewide) | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | level |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +6% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Lexington ranks #170 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Lexington is 0% above the Kentucky figure.
Elsewhere in Kentucky
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KY | 685,190 jobs | $17,800 – $30,200 | $24,000 | +2% |
| Bowling Green, KY | 82,160 jobs | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lexington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ME | 288,480 jobs | $18,400 – $31,400 | $24,900 | +5% |
| New Haven, CT | 281,410 jobs | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,200 | +7% |
| Stockton, CA | 289,660 jobs | $19,700 – $33,600 | $26,700 | +13% |
| Reno, NV | 275,680 jobs | $18,200 – $31,100 | $24,700 | +4% |
Why two Lexington quotes can differ
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.
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Kitchen remodel in Lexington: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Lexington?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,500 to $29,800 in the Lexington 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 Lexington?
About $142 to $237 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 Lexington or Cincinnati?
Cincinnati is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,700, which is 0% more than Lexington ($23,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lexington?
About 19% at the midpoint, or $4,400 out of $23,600. Materials are 77% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Lexington?
$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 Lexington?
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 Lexington area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lexington expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Kentucky?
Lexington is 0% above the Kentucky statewide estimate ($23,600 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Kentucky; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Lexington?
The BLS median is $25.01 an hour in the Lexington area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.63 to $29.61.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Lexington?
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 near Lexington
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.