Kitchen remodel cost in Cincinnati, OH
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
- #169
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a kitchen in Cincinnati, plan on $17,500 to $29,800 for 120 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $142 to $237 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 5% lower than the national one. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.8).
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Cincinnati, OH, standard level
$21,200 to $26,100
About $170 to $208 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 21% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,000 | $19,600 |
| Labor | $4,400 | $5,350 |
| Permits and fees | $760 | $1,150 |
| Total | $21,200 | $26,100 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Cincinnati, OH
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,400 | $17,800 | $22,300 | 75% |
| Labor | $3,650 | $4,900 | $6,100 | 21% |
| Permits and fees | $480 | $950 | $1,450 | 4% |
| Total | $17,500 | $23,700 | $29,800 | 100% |
Where the Cincinnati 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 $28.90 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Cincinnati is 0.98 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 21% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Cincinnati metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 120 sq ft comes to $17,800, compared with $19,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (95.4) and land at $480 to $1,450.
Kitchen remodel: what moves the price in Cincinnati
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.
Cincinnati against nearby metros and the rest of Ohio
Same job, same size (120 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Indianapolis is the priciest of the group at $24,200. Dayton is the cheapest at $23,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OHthis page | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,700 | |
| Dayton, OH55 miles | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | −1% |
| Lexington, KY65 miles | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | level |
| Louisville, KY90 miles | $17,800 – $30,200 | $24,000 | +1% |
| Indianapolis, IN100 miles | $17,900 – $30,500 | $24,200 | +2% |
| Columbus, OH105 miles | $17,700 – $30,200 | $24,000 | +1% |
| Ohio (statewide) | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,700 | level |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +6% |
Across 300 US metros, Cincinnati comes in at #169 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Cincinnati is 0% below the Ohio figure.
Other Ohio metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | 1,105,580 jobs | $17,700 – $30,200 | $24,000 | +1% |
| Cleveland, OH | 1,031,130 jobs | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | +1% |
| Dayton, OH | 372,660 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | −1% |
| Akron, OH | 319,560 jobs | $17,700 – $30,100 | $23,900 | +1% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | +1% |
| Canton, OH | 163,080 jobs | $17,300 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Cincinnati's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Cincinnati against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis, IN | 1,105,170 jobs | $17,900 – $30,500 | $24,200 | +2% |
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | +1% |
| Columbus, OH | 1,105,580 jobs | $17,700 – $30,200 | $24,000 | +1% |
| Kansas City, MO | 1,096,110 jobs | $17,800 – $30,300 | $24,100 | +2% |
Cincinnati labor market for kitchen remodel
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 6 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Cincinnati is 0.98 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $28.90 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.62 and $35.00 an hour. BLS counts 4,610 of them working in the area, 41.9 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 $30.53 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.70 and $38.23 an hour. About 5,640 work in the metro. That is 51.2 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 $31.33 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $24.18 and $40.74 an hour. BLS counts 3,640 of them working in the area, 33.1 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 $22.42 an hour, which is 16% below the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $19.12 and $27.45 an hour. BLS counts 110 of them working in the area, 1.0 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 $26.67 an hour, 6% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $23.12 and $30.37 an hour. About 290 work in the metro. That is 2.6 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 $24.12 an hour, which is in line with the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $22.50 and $29.00 an hour. BLS counts 890 of them working in the area, 8.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($35.00 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $470. At the 25th percentile ($23.62) it shrinks by about $410. The total moves by 2.0% or 1.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,101,030 jobs in the Cincinnati area. That makes it the 32nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.71% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $23.62 | $28.90 | $35.00 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $23.70 | $30.53 | $38.23 | $30.38 | 1.00 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $24.18 | $31.33 | $40.74 | $30.67 | 1.02 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $19.12 | $22.42 | $27.45 | $26.77 | 0.84 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $23.12 | $26.67 | $30.37 | $28.33 | 0.94 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $22.50 | $24.12 | $29.00 | $23.75 | 1.02 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.98 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Cincinnati
Because every project leans on different trades, Cincinnati's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, home addition runs −3% and kitchen backsplash −10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,050 – $13,600 | −3% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,450 – $22,100 | −5% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,350 – $14,400 | −4% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $37,000 – $75,000 | −3% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $870 – $2,600 | −6% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,350 | −10% |
Cost by quality level and size in Cincinnati
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Cincinnati wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below 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 – $22,000 | $20,900 – $25,100 |
| 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 |
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Kitchen remodel in Cincinnati: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Cincinnati?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,500 to $29,800 in the Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati?
About $142 to $237 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $480 to $1,450 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Cincinnati or Dayton?
Dayton is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,500, which is 1% less than Cincinnati ($23,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Cincinnati?
About 21% at the midpoint, or $4,900 out of $23,700. Materials are 75% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Cincinnati?
$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 Cincinnati?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $480 to $1,450 for fees in the Cincinnati area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Cincinnati expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Ohio?
Cincinnati is 0% below the Ohio statewide estimate ($23,700 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Ohio; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Cincinnati?
The BLS median is $28.90 an hour in the Cincinnati area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.62 to $35.00.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Cincinnati?
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 Cincinnati
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.