Kitchen remodel cost in Columbia, MO
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 – $236
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #181
- 1 = most expensive
A kitchen remodel in Columbia, MO usually costs $17,500 to $29,700 for 120 sq ft. That works out to about $142 to $236 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $1,400 less. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 94.2).
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Columbia, MO, standard level
$21,100 to $26,000
About $170 to $208 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 20% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,100 | $19,700 |
| Labor | $4,300 | $5,250 |
| Permits and fees | $720 | $1,050 |
| Total | $21,100 | $26,000 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Columbia, MO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,400 | $17,900 | $22,400 | 76% |
| Labor | $3,600 | $4,800 | $6,000 | 20% |
| Permits and fees | $450 | $890 | $1,350 | 4% |
| Total | $17,500 | $23,600 | $29,700 | 100% |
Why Columbia 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 $27.00 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Columbia is 0.96 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 20% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Columbia is at 94.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $19,000 nationally becomes $17,900 here (midpoint, 120 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 89.4: $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 Columbia. The wage table below marks each row.
Planning more than one job in Columbia?
Jobs that often go together with kitchen remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Columbia wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, kitchen backsplash comes out highest (level) and kitchen cabinets lowest (−7%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,950 – $13,000 | −7% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,500 – $22,400 | −4% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,200 – $14,000 | −7% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $35,900 – $72,600 | −6% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $920 – $2,700 | −3% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $300 – $1,500 | level |
Kitchen remodel: what moves the price in Columbia
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.
What local crews earn in Columbia
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 Columbia the blend is 0.96.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $27.00 an hour, 7% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.95 and $33.85 an hour. About 510 work in the metro. That is 47.4 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 $29.57 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.08 and $36.74 an hour. BLS counts 290 of them working in the area, 26.9 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 $27.89 an hour, 9% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.45 and $34.45 an hour. About 310 work in the metro. That is 28.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Columbia metro, so we used the Missouri statewide median: $29.13 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $20.86 and $35.61 an hour.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Columbia metro, so we used the Missouri statewide median: $30.09 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $25.36 and $38.74 an hour.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 5% of the weighting: a median of $22.24 an hour, 6% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $18.10 and $27.66 an hour. About 160 work in the metro. That is 14.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $530 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $390. That is a swing of roughly 1.6% to 2.2% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Columbia has 107,680 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 194th 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% | $21.95 | $27.00 | $33.85 | $29.12 | 0.93 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $23.08 | $29.57 | $36.74 | $30.38 | 0.97 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $22.45 | $27.89 | $34.45 | $30.67 | 0.91 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $20.86 | $29.13 | $35.61 | $26.77 | 1.09 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $25.36 | $30.09 | $38.74 | $28.33 | 1.06 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $18.10 | $22.24 | $27.66 | $23.75 | 0.94 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.96 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Columbia
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Columbia. 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
$21,100 to $26,000
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 | $17,700 – $21,900 | $20,800 – $25,000 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,500 – $22,400 | $21,100 – $26,000 | $24,800 – $29,700 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $28,800 – $36,800 | $34,800 – $42,700 | $40,700 – $48,600 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $43,000 – $54,700 | $51,800 – $63,500 | $60,600 – $72,300 |
How Columbia compares
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Columbia. Springfield is the lowest at about $23,200 (midpoint, 120 sq ft), 115 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, MOthis page | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | |
| Jefferson City, MO35 miles | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | level |
| Kansas City, MO100 miles | $17,800 – $30,300 | $24,100 | +2% |
| Springfield, MO115 miles | $17,200 – $29,200 | $23,200 | −2% |
| St. Louis, MO120 miles | $19,100 – $32,500 | $25,800 | +9% |
| Springfield, IL165 miles | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,200 | +7% |
| Missouri (statewide) | $18,100 – $30,700 | $24,400 | +3% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +6% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Columbia ranks #181 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Columbia is 3% below the Missouri figure.
Elsewhere in Missouri
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO | 1,341,320 jobs | $19,100 – $32,500 | $25,800 | +9% |
| Kansas City, MO | 1,096,110 jobs | $17,800 – $30,300 | $24,100 | +2% |
| Springfield, MO | 223,030 jobs | $17,200 – $29,200 | $23,200 | −2% |
| Joplin, MO | 87,190 jobs | $17,400 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −1% |
| Jefferson City, MO | 80,220 jobs | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Columbia against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bend, OR | 108,240 jobs | $19,900 – $33,800 | $26,800 | +14% |
| Hagerstown, MD | 107,170 jobs | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | +1% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $17,400 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −1% |
| Champaign, IL | 105,500 jobs | $18,600 – $31,600 | $25,100 | +6% |
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Kitchen remodel in Columbia: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Columbia?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,500 to $29,700 in the Columbia area. A standard-spec job lands at $21,100 to $26,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Columbia?
About $142 to $236 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 Columbia or Jefferson City?
Jefferson City is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,600, which is 0% more than Columbia ($23,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Columbia?
About 20% at the midpoint, or $4,800 out of $23,600. Materials are 76% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Columbia?
$28,800 to $48,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Columbia?
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 Columbia area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Columbia expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Missouri?
Columbia is 3% below the Missouri statewide estimate ($24,400 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Missouri; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Columbia?
The BLS median is $27.00 an hour in the Columbia area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.95 to $33.85.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Columbia?
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 Columbia
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.