Kitchen remodel cost in Rochester, NY
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $18,700 – $31,700
- Per sq ft
- $151 – $252
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #64
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a kitchen remodel in the Rochester area: $18,700 to $31,700 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 lands close to the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $28.60 an hour in the Rochester area, 2% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Rochester, NY, standard level
$22,600 to $27,800
About $182 to $222 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 21% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,100 | $20,900 |
| Labor | $4,750 | $5,800 |
| Permits and fees | $780 | $1,150 |
| Total | $22,600 | $27,800 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Rochester, NY
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $14,200 | $19,000 | $23,700 | 75% |
| Labor | $3,950 | $5,250 | $6,600 | 21% |
| Permits and fees | $490 | $970 | $1,450 | 4% |
| Total | $18,700 | $25,200 | $31,700 | 100% |
Where the Rochester price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $28.60 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Rochester is 1.06 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 21% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Rochester is at 99.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $19,000 nationally becomes $19,000 here (midpoint, 120 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 97.0: $490 to $1,450.
Rochester against nearby metros and the rest of New York
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 120 sq ft range from $25,000 to $25,500 across Rochester and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, NYthis page | $18,700 – $31,700 | $25,200 | |
| Buffalo, NY60 miles | $18,800 – $31,900 | $25,300 | +1% |
| Syracuse, NY70 miles | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,200 | level |
| Binghamton, NY105 miles | $18,900 – $32,100 | $25,500 | +1% |
| Utica, NY120 miles | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | −1% |
| Erie, PA150 miles | $18,600 – $31,600 | $25,100 | level |
| New York (statewide) | $20,200 – $34,500 | $27,400 | +9% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | −1% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Rochester ranks #64 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Rochester is 8% below the New York figure.
Elsewhere in New York
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 9,492,000 jobs | $20,800 – $35,500 | $28,200 | +12% |
| Buffalo, NY | 534,550 jobs | $18,800 – $31,900 | $25,300 | +1% |
| Albany, NY | 449,410 jobs | $18,700 – $31,800 | $25,300 | level |
| Syracuse, NY | 300,130 jobs | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,200 | level |
| Poughkeepsie, NY | 268,970 jobs | $20,200 – $34,400 | $27,300 | +8% |
| Utica, NY | 118,390 jobs | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | −1% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | 498,100 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | −7% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $19,400 – $33,100 | $26,300 | +4% |
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | −7% |
| Tulsa, OK | 458,730 jobs | $16,900 – $28,800 | $22,900 | −9% |
Who does the work: Rochester 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 Rochester the blend is 1.06.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $28.60 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.10 and $35.00 an hour. About 2,350 work in the metro. That is 47.5 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 $37.17 an hour, which is 22% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $27.91 and $46.49 an hour. BLS counts 2,540 of them working in the area, 51.4 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 $35.38 an hour, 15% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $26.75 and $43.18 an hour. About 1,460 work in the metro. That is 29.5 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 $29.67 an hour, 11% above the US median of $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $23.96 and $34.63 an hour. About 110 work in the metro. That is 2.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081, weighted 10%) the local median is $28.80 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $23.81 and $31.12 an hour. BLS counts 200 of them working in the area, 4.0 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 $22.71 an hour, 4% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $22.34 and $29.03 an hour. About 590 work in the metro. That is 11.9 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 $490 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $350. That is a swing of roughly 1.4% to 2.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Rochester has 494,280 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 52nd 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% | $24.10 | $28.60 | $35.00 | $29.12 | 0.98 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $27.91 | $37.17 | $46.49 | $30.38 | 1.22 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $26.75 | $35.38 | $43.18 | $30.67 | 1.15 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $23.96 | $29.67 | $34.63 | $26.77 | 1.11 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $23.81 | $28.80 | $31.12 | $28.33 | 1.02 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $22.34 | $22.71 | $29.03 | $23.75 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.06 | |||||
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.
Pick a size, pick a tier: kitchen remodel pricing 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
$18,700 to $23,900
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$22,600 to $27,800
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$26,500 to $31,700
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $15,600 – $20,100 | $19,000 – $23,400 | $22,300 – $26,700 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $18,700 – $23,900 | $22,600 – $27,800 | $26,500 – $31,700 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $30,800 – $39,200 | $37,100 – $45,600 | $43,500 – $51,900 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $45,900 – $58,400 | $55,300 – $67,800 | $64,700 – $77,200 |
Related projects, priced for 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 (+7%) and window replacement lowest (level); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,250 – $14,100 | +1% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,900 – $24,300 | +4% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,550 – $15,100 | level |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $39,200 – $79,400 | +3% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,050 – $2,950 | +7% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $310 – $1,550 | +4% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Kitchen remodel in Rochester: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Rochester?
For 120 sq ft, expect $18,700 to $31,700 in the Rochester area. A standard-spec job lands at $22,600 to $27,800. 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 $151 to $252 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $490 to $1,450 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Rochester or Buffalo?
Buffalo is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $25,300, which is 1% more than Rochester ($25,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Rochester?
About 21% at the midpoint, or $5,250 out of $25,200. Materials are 75% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Rochester?
$30,800 to $51,900. 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 $490 to $1,450 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 New York?
Rochester is 8% below the New York statewide estimate ($27,400 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in New York; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Rochester?
The BLS median is $28.60 an hour in the Rochester area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.10 to $35.00.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Rochester?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $18,700 to $23,900 and premium work $26,500 to $31,700. 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.