Kitchen remodel cost in Allentown, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $18,600 – $31,600
- Per sq ft
- $151 – $251
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #76
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a kitchen in Allentown, plan on $18,600 to $31,600 for 120 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $151 to $251 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint lands close to the national one. Building materials run about 1% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 100.6).
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Allentown, PA, standard level
$22,500 to $27,700
About $181 to $221 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 20% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,200 | $21,000 |
| Labor | $4,500 | $5,500 |
| Permits and fees | $800 | $1,200 |
| Total | $22,500 | $27,700 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Allentown, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $14,300 | $19,100 | $23,900 | 76% |
| Labor | $3,750 | $5,000 | $6,250 | 20% |
| Permits and fees | $500 | $1,000 | $1,500 | 4% |
| Total | $18,600 | $25,100 | $31,600 | 100% |
Where the Allentown price comes from
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, Allentown wages are 1.00 times the national level. Labor makes up about 20% of the midpoint estimate (20% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Allentown metro is 100.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 120 sq ft comes to $19,100, compared with $19,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (100.0) and land at $500 to $1,500.
Allentown against nearby metros and the rest of Pennsylvania
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Allentown. Philadelphia is the lowest at about $24,900 (midpoint, 120 sq ft), 60 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown, PAthis page | $18,600 – $31,600 | $25,100 | |
| Reading, PA40 miles | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,200 | level |
| Scranton, PA45 miles | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,100 | level |
| Trenton, NJ50 miles | $19,100 – $32,500 | $25,800 | +3% |
| Philadelphia, PA60 miles | $18,400 – $31,400 | $24,900 | −1% |
| Lancaster, PA70 miles | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | level |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $18,600 – $31,600 | $25,100 | level |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | level |
Across 300 US metros, Allentown comes in at #76 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Allentown is 0% above the Pennsylvania figure.
Other Pennsylvania metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $18,400 – $31,400 | $24,900 | −1% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $18,800 – $31,900 | $25,400 | +1% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | +1% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,100 | level |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | level |
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Allentown's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Allentown against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson, AZ | 389,630 jobs | $17,400 – $29,700 | $23,600 | −6% |
| Dayton, OH | 372,660 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | −6% |
| Boise, ID | 391,790 jobs | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | −6% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $17,500 – $29,700 | $23,600 | −6% |
Planning more than one job in Allentown?
Because every project leans on different trades, Allentown's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, home addition runs +1% and kitchen backsplash −3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,250 – $14,000 | level |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,700 – $23,300 | level |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,550 – $15,100 | +1% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $38,500 – $78,100 | +1% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $910 – $2,750 | −1% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $290 – $1,450 | −3% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Allentown bid
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.
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+.
Pick a size, pick a tier: kitchen remodel pricing in Allentown
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Allentown 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
$18,600 to $23,800
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$22,500 to $27,700
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$26,400 to $31,600
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $15,600 – $20,000 | $18,900 – $23,300 | $22,200 – $26,600 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $18,600 – $23,800 | $22,500 – $27,700 | $26,400 – $31,600 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $30,600 – $39,100 | $37,000 – $45,400 | $43,300 – $51,700 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $45,700 – $58,200 | $55,100 – $67,500 | $64,400 – $76,900 |
Allentown 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 Allentown is 1.00 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $28.63 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.31 and $32.64 an hour. BLS counts 1,390 of them working in the area, 36.9 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 $31.97 an hour, 5% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $27.38 and $39.66 an hour. About 1,100 work in the metro. That is 29.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 15%) the local median is $31.22 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $24.41 and $39.61 an hour. BLS counts 730 of them working in the area, 19.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For tile and stone setters (47-2044, weighted 10%) the local median is $24.71 an hour, which is 8% below the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $23.80 and $33.48 an hour. BLS counts 80 of them working in the area, 2.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.3), so the local bench is about average.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $29.67 an hour, 5% above the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $23.60 and $36.33 an hour. About 110 work in the metro. That is 2.9 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 $24.46 an hour, which is in line with the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $23.17 and $29.50 an hour. BLS counts 310 of them working in the area, 8.2 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 ($32.64 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $310. At the 25th percentile ($23.31) it shrinks by about $410. The total moves by 1.2% or 1.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 377,180 jobs in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton area. That makes it the 69th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.24% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $23.31 | $28.63 | $32.64 | $29.12 | 0.98 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $27.38 | $31.97 | $39.66 | $30.38 | 1.05 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $24.41 | $31.22 | $39.61 | $30.67 | 1.02 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $23.80 | $24.71 | $33.48 | $26.77 | 0.92 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $23.60 | $29.67 | $36.33 | $28.33 | 1.05 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $23.17 | $24.46 | $29.50 | $23.75 | 1.03 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.00 | |||||
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Kitchen remodel in Allentown: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Allentown?
For 120 sq ft, expect $18,600 to $31,600 in the Allentown area. A standard-spec job lands at $22,500 to $27,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Allentown?
About $151 to $251 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $500 to $1,500 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Allentown or Reading?
Reading is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $25,200, which is 0% more than Allentown ($25,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Allentown?
About 20% at the midpoint, or $5,000 out of $25,100. Materials are 76% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Allentown?
$30,600 to $51,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Allentown?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $500 to $1,500 for fees in the Allentown area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Allentown expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Allentown is 0% above the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($25,100 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Allentown?
The BLS median is $28.63 an hour in the Allentown area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.31 to $32.64.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Allentown?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $18,600 to $23,800 and premium work $26,400 to $31,600. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Allentown
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.