Kitchen remodel cost in Rochester, MN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $18,400 – $31,200
- Per sq ft
- $149 – $249
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #91
- 1 = most expensive
A kitchen remodel in Rochester, MN usually costs $18,400 to $31,200 for 120 sq ft. That works out to about $149 to $249 per sq ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Building materials run about 5% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 95.4).
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 Rochester, MN, standard level
$22,200 to $27,400
About $179 to $219 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 23% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,300 | $20,000 |
| Labor | $5,150 | $6,300 |
| Permits and fees | $730 | $1,100 |
| Total | $22,200 | $27,400 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Rochester, MN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,600 | $18,200 | $22,700 | 73% |
| Labor | $4,300 | $5,750 | $7,200 | 23% |
| Permits and fees | $450 | $910 | $1,350 | 4% |
| Total | $18,400 | $24,800 | $31,200 | 100% |
What is behind the Rochester number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 6 trades: carpenters at 45%, electricians at 15%, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 15%, tile and stone setters at 10%, drywall and ceiling tile installers at 10%, painters, construction and maintenance at 5%. Weighted together, Rochester wages are 1.15 times the national level. Labor makes up about 23% of the midpoint estimate (20% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Rochester is at 95.4 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $19,000 nationally becomes $18,200 here (midpoint, 120 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 90.8: $450 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 Rochester. The wage table below marks each row.
What local crews earn in Rochester
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 Rochester the blend is 1.15.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $30.58 an hour, 5% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.59 and $38.84 an hour. About 460 work in the metro. That is 37.4 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 $38.29 an hour, which is 26% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $28.61 and $48.76 an hour. BLS counts 510 of them working in the area, 41.5 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 $40.81 an hour, 33% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $30.66 and $50.40 an hour. About 490 work in the metro. That is 39.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Rochester metro, so we used the Minnesota statewide median: $33.92 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $29.69 and $34.50 an hour.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Rochester metro, so we used the Minnesota statewide median: $29.46 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $27.86 and $37.31 an hour.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 5% of the weighting: a median of $28.95 an hour, 22% above the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $21.91 and $36.34 an hour. About 220 work in the metro. That is 17.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $640 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $540. That is a swing of roughly 2.2% to 2.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Rochester has 122,980 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 176th 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% | $23.59 | $30.58 | $38.84 | $29.12 | 1.05 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $28.61 | $38.29 | $48.76 | $30.38 | 1.26 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $30.66 | $40.81 | $50.40 | $30.67 | 1.33 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $29.69 | $33.92 | $34.50 | $26.77 | 1.27 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $27.86 | $29.46 | $37.31 | $28.33 | 1.04 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $21.91 | $28.95 | $36.34 | $23.75 | 1.22 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.15 | |||||
Kitchen remodel: what moves the price in Rochester
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 Rochester
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Rochester. 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
$18,400 to $23,500
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$22,200 to $27,400
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$26,100 to $31,200
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $15,400 – $19,700 | $18,600 – $23,000 | $21,900 – $26,300 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $18,400 – $23,500 | $22,200 – $27,400 | $26,100 – $31,200 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $30,300 – $38,600 | $36,600 – $44,900 | $42,800 – $51,100 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $45,300 – $57,600 | $54,500 – $66,800 | $63,700 – $76,000 |
Planning more than one job in Rochester?
Jobs that often go together with kitchen remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Rochester wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, shower pan comes out highest (+14%) and window replacement lowest (level); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,200 – $14,400 | +2% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,100 – $25,400 | +9% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,550 – $14,900 | level |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $40,600 – $82,200 | +7% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,150 – $3,100 | +14% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $330 – $1,600 | +8% |
How Rochester compares
Same job, same size (120 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Minneapolis is the priciest of the group at $27,000. Waterloo is the cheapest at $23,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MNthis page | $18,400 – $31,200 | $24,800 | |
| La Crosse, WI65 miles | $17,900 – $30,400 | $24,100 | −3% |
| Eau Claire, WI85 miles | $17,900 – $30,500 | $24,200 | −2% |
| Minneapolis, MN90 miles | $20,000 – $34,100 | $27,000 | +9% |
| Waterloo, IA100 miles | $17,400 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −5% |
| Dubuque, IA125 miles | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | −5% |
| Minnesota (statewide) | $19,200 – $32,700 | $26,000 | +5% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +1% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Rochester ranks #91 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Rochester is 5% below the Minnesota figure.
Elsewhere in Minnesota
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $20,000 – $34,100 | $27,000 | +9% |
| Duluth, MN | 124,710 jobs | $18,200 – $31,000 | $24,600 | −1% |
| St. Cloud, MN | 103,920 jobs | $18,300 – $31,100 | $24,700 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Rochester against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo, TX | 123,930 jobs | $16,900 – $28,800 | $22,900 | −8% |
| Midland, TX | 122,180 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | −5% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $18,000 – $30,600 | $24,300 | −2% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 122,020 jobs | $19,900 – $33,900 | $26,900 | +9% |
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 $22,200 to $27,400 for Rochester, MN is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Rochester, MN: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. 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 Rochester: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Rochester?
For 120 sq ft, expect $18,400 to $31,200 in the Rochester area. A standard-spec job lands at $22,200 to $27,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Rochester?
About $149 to $249 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $450 to $1,350 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Rochester or La Crosse?
La Crosse is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $24,100, which is 3% less than Rochester ($24,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Rochester?
About 23% at the midpoint, or $5,750 out of $24,800. Materials are 73% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Rochester?
$30,300 to $51,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Rochester?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $450 to $1,350 for fees in the Rochester area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Rochester expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Minnesota?
Rochester is 5% below the Minnesota statewide estimate ($26,000 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in Minnesota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Rochester?
The BLS median is $30.58 an hour in the Rochester area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.59 to $38.84.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Rochester?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $18,400 to $23,500 and premium work $26,100 to $31,200. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Rochester
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.