Kitchen remodel cost in Lancaster, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $18,500 – $31,500
- Per sq ft
- $150 – $250
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #80
- 1 = most expensive
A kitchen remodel in Lancaster, PA usually costs $18,500 to $31,500 for 120 sq ft. That works out to about $150 to $250 per sq ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Building materials run about 1% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 100.7).
Estimate your kitchen remodel cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Lancaster, PA, standard level
$22,400 to $27,600
About $180 to $220 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 20% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,200 | $21,100 |
| Labor | $4,400 | $5,400 |
| Permits and fees | $790 | $1,200 |
| Total | $22,400 | $27,600 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Lancaster, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $14,400 | $19,200 | $23,900 | 77% |
| Labor | $3,650 | $4,900 | $6,100 | 20% |
| Permits and fees | $490 | $980 | $1,450 | 4% |
| Total | $18,500 | $25,000 | $31,500 | 100% |
What is behind the Lancaster number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $26.77 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Lancaster is 0.98 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 20% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Lancaster is at 100.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $19,000 nationally becomes $19,200 here (midpoint, 120 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 98.3: $490 to $1,450.
Lancaster against nearby metros and the rest of Pennsylvania
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 $24,900 to $25,400 across Lancaster and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster, PAthis page | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | |
| York, PA25 miles | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | +1% |
| Reading, PA30 miles | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,200 | +1% |
| Harrisburg, PA45 miles | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | +2% |
| Philadelphia, PA50 miles | $18,400 – $31,400 | $24,900 | level |
| Baltimore, MD55 miles | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | +2% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $18,600 – $31,600 | $25,100 | level |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | level |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Lancaster ranks #80 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Lancaster is 0% below the Pennsylvania figure.
Elsewhere in Pennsylvania
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $18,400 – $31,400 | $24,900 | level |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $18,800 – $31,900 | $25,400 | +1% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $18,600 – $31,600 | $25,100 | level |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | +2% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,100 | level |
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | +1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lancaster against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,100 | level |
| Palm Bay, FL | 245,170 jobs | $17,400 – $29,700 | $23,500 | −6% |
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $19,700 – $33,500 | $26,600 | +6% |
| Trenton, NJ | 240,190 jobs | $19,100 – $32,500 | $25,800 | +3% |
Lancaster: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Lancaster. 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
$18,500 to $23,700
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$22,400 to $27,600
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$26,300 to $31,500
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $15,500 – $19,900 | $18,800 – $23,200 | $22,100 – $26,500 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $18,500 – $23,700 | $22,400 – $27,600 | $26,300 – $31,500 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $30,500 – $38,900 | $36,800 – $45,200 | $43,100 – $51,600 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $45,600 – $58,000 | $54,900 – $67,300 | $64,200 – $76,600 |
Related projects, priced for Lancaster
Jobs that often go together with kitchen remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Lancaster wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, kitchen backsplash comes out highest (+7%) and kitchen cabinets lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,150 – $13,500 | −3% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,800 – $23,700 | +2% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,400 – $14,800 | −2% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $37,000 – $75,100 | −3% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $990 – $2,900 | +4% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $330 – $1,600 | +7% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Lancaster bid
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.
What local crews earn in Lancaster
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 Lancaster the blend is 0.98.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $26.77 an hour, 8% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.56 and $29.68 an hour. About 2,750 work in the metro. That is 109.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 15%) the local median is $30.52 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.71 and $39.62 an hour. BLS counts 1,220 of them working in the area, 48.4 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 $29.78 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.78 and $35.90 an hour. About 820 work in the metro. That is 32.5 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 $31.79 an hour, 19% above the US median of $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $24.16 and $36.02 an hour. About 50 work in the metro. That is 2.0 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 $29.09 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $22.87 and $29.40 an hour. BLS counts 200 of them working in the area, 7.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 5.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 5% of the weighting: a median of $23.77 an hour, in line with the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $23.17 and $28.23 an hour. About 430 work in the metro. That is 17.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $220 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $320. That is a swing of roughly 1.3% to 0.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Lancaster has 252,230 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 103rd 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% | $22.56 | $26.77 | $29.68 | $29.12 | 0.92 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $23.71 | $30.52 | $39.62 | $30.38 | 1.00 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $23.78 | $29.78 | $35.90 | $30.67 | 0.97 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $24.16 | $31.79 | $36.02 | $26.77 | 1.19 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $22.87 | $29.09 | $29.40 | $28.33 | 1.03 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $23.17 | $23.77 | $28.23 | $23.75 | 1.00 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.98 | |||||
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $22,400 to $27,600 for Lancaster, PA is attached.
Detailed kitchen remodel report for Lancaster, PA, $9
Multi-page report for Lancaster, PA: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Kitchen remodel in Lancaster: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Lancaster?
For 120 sq ft, expect $18,500 to $31,500 in the Lancaster area. A standard-spec job lands at $22,400 to $27,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Lancaster?
About $150 to $250 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 Lancaster or York?
York is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $25,400, which is 1% more than Lancaster ($25,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lancaster?
About 20% at the midpoint, or $4,900 out of $25,000. Materials are 77% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Lancaster?
$30,500 to $51,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Lancaster?
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 Lancaster area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lancaster expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Lancaster is 0% below 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 Lancaster?
The BLS median is $26.77 an hour in the Lancaster area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.56 to $29.68.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Lancaster?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $18,500 to $23,700 and premium work $26,300 to $31,500. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Lancaster
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.