Kitchen remodel cost in Portland, OR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $20,500 – $34,900
- Per sq ft
- $167 – $278
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +11%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #7
- 1 = most expensive
Portland homeowners pay roughly $20,500 to $34,900 to remodel a kitchen at 120 sq ft, or $167 to $278 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Portland is 11% higher. Carpenters earn a median of $35.44 an hour in the Portland area, 22% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Portland, OR, standard level
$24,800 to $30,600
About $200 to $245 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 24% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,000 | $22,000 |
| Labor | $6,000 | $7,350 |
| Permits and fees | $840 | $1,250 |
| Total | $24,800 | $30,600 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Portland, OR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 | 72% |
| Labor | $5,000 | $6,650 | $8,350 | 24% |
| Permits and fees | $530 | $1,050 | $1,600 | 4% |
| Total | $20,500 | $27,700 | $34,900 | 100% |
Why Portland prices look the way they do
Labor is 24% of the midpoint bill here, against 20% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (45%), electricians (15%), plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (15%), tile and stone setters (10%), drywall and ceiling tile installers (10%), painters, construction and maintenance (5%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Portland the blended ratio comes out at 1.34.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Portland metro is 105.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 120 sq ft comes to $20,000, compared with $19,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (105.4) and land at $530 to $1,600.
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Portland is 1.34 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $35.44 an hour, which is 22% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.53 and $49.78 an hour. BLS counts 9,210 of them working in the area, 76.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 15% of the weighting: a median of $50.53 an hour, 66% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $37.95 and $60.26 an hour. About 7,340 work in the metro. That is 60.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 15%) the local median is $48.56 an hour, which is 58% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $34.83 and $61.71 an hour. BLS counts 4,600 of them working in the area, 38.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 10%) the local median is $29.76 an hour, which is 11% above the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $24.43 and $35.94 an hour. BLS counts 390 of them working in the area, 3.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $38.99 an hour, 38% above the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $27.00 and $50.94 an hour. About 1,100 work in the metro. That is 9.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 5%) the local median is $25.62 an hour, which is 8% above the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $22.75 and $30.44 an hour. BLS counts 3,540 of them working in the area, 29.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($49.78 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,100. At the 25th percentile ($28.53) it shrinks by about $530. The total moves by 4.0% or 1.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,208,410 jobs in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro area. That makes it the 25th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.78% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $28.53 | $35.44 | $49.78 | $29.12 | 1.22 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $37.95 | $50.53 | $60.26 | $30.38 | 1.66 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $34.83 | $48.56 | $61.71 | $30.67 | 1.58 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $24.43 | $29.76 | $35.94 | $26.77 | 1.11 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $27.00 | $38.99 | $50.94 | $28.33 | 1.38 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $22.75 | $25.62 | $30.44 | $23.75 | 1.08 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.34 | |||||
Kitchen remodel: what moves the price in Portland
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.
Related projects, priced for Portland
Because every project leans on different trades, Portland's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, home addition runs +23% and kitchen backsplash +8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,800 – $16,600 | +17% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,650 – $27,900 | +20% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $5,050 – $16,500 | +11% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $46,600 – $94,300 | +23% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,200 – $3,350 | +22% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $330 – $1,600 | +8% |
Cost by quality level and size in Portland
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Portland 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
$20,500 to $26,300
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$24,800 to $30,600
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$29,200 to $34,900
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $17,200 – $22,100 | $20,800 – $25,700 | $24,500 – $29,400 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $20,500 – $26,300 | $24,800 – $30,600 | $29,200 – $34,900 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $33,900 – $43,200 | $40,900 – $50,200 | $47,800 – $57,200 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $50,500 – $64,300 | $60,900 – $74,600 | $71,200 – $84,900 |
Is Portland cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 $26,300 to $27,700 across Portland and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ORthis page | $20,500 – $34,900 | $27,700 | |
| Salem, OR50 miles | $19,700 – $33,600 | $26,700 | −4% |
| Olympia, WA95 miles | $20,000 – $34,100 | $27,100 | −2% |
| Yakima, WA100 miles | $19,500 – $33,200 | $26,300 | −5% |
| Eugene, OR115 miles | $19,800 – $33,700 | $26,700 | −4% |
| Bend, OR125 miles | $19,900 – $33,800 | $26,800 | −3% |
| Oregon (statewide) | $20,100 – $34,100 | $27,100 | −2% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | −10% |
Across 300 US metros, Portland comes in at #7 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Portland is 2% above the Oregon figure.
Other Oregon metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem, OR | 188,620 jobs | $19,700 – $33,600 | $26,700 | −4% |
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $19,800 – $33,700 | $26,700 | −4% |
| Bend, OR | 108,240 jobs | $19,900 – $33,800 | $26,800 | −3% |
| Medford, OR | 89,060 jobs | $19,500 – $33,100 | $26,300 | −5% |
Cities with a workforce like Portland's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Portland against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,200 | −16% |
| Las Vegas, NV | 1,136,960 jobs | $18,100 – $30,800 | $24,500 | −12% |
| St. Louis, MO | 1,341,320 jobs | $19,100 – $32,500 | $25,800 | −7% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $20,700 – $35,200 | $28,000 | +1% |
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Kitchen remodel in Portland: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Portland?
For 120 sq ft, expect $20,500 to $34,900 in the Portland area. A standard-spec job lands at $24,800 to $30,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Portland?
About $167 to $278 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $530 to $1,600 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Portland or Salem?
Salem is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $26,700, which is 4% less than Portland ($27,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Portland?
About 24% at the midpoint, or $6,650 out of $27,700. Materials are 72% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Portland?
$33,900 to $57,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Portland?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $530 to $1,600 for fees in the Portland area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Portland expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Oregon?
Portland is 2% above the Oregon statewide estimate ($27,100 at the midpoint). We cover 5 metros in Oregon; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Portland?
The BLS median is $35.44 an hour in the Portland area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.53 to $49.78.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Portland?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $20,500 to $26,300 and premium work $29,200 to $34,900. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Portland
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.