Kitchen remodel cost in Philadelphia, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $18,400 – $31,400
- Per sq ft
- $149 – $249
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #85
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a kitchen remodel in the Philadelphia area: $18,400 to $31,400 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. Building materials run about 3% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.8).
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Philadelphia, PA, standard level
$22,300 to $27,500
About $179 to $219 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 22% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,600 | $20,300 |
| Labor | $4,950 | $6,050 |
| Permits and fees | $820 | $1,250 |
| Total | $22,300 | $27,500 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Philadelphia, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,800 | $18,400 | $23,000 | 74% |
| Labor | $4,100 | $5,500 | $6,850 | 22% |
| Permits and fees | $510 | $1,050 | $1,550 | 4% |
| Total | $18,400 | $24,900 | $31,400 | 100% |
Why Philadelphia prices look the way they do
Labor is 22% 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 Philadelphia the blended ratio comes out at 1.10.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Philadelphia is at 96.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $19,000 nationally becomes $18,400 here (midpoint, 120 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 102.6: $510 to $1,550.
Pick a size, pick a tier: kitchen remodel pricing in Philadelphia
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Philadelphia. 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
$18,400 to $23,600
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$22,300 to $27,500
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$26,200 to $31,400
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $15,500 – $19,800 | $18,700 – $23,100 | $22,000 – $26,400 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $18,400 – $23,600 | $22,300 – $27,500 | $26,200 – $31,400 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $30,400 – $38,800 | $36,700 – $45,100 | $43,000 – $51,300 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $45,300 – $57,700 | $54,600 – $67,000 | $63,900 – $76,200 |
Is Philadelphia 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 $24,900 to $25,800 across Philadelphia and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PAthis page | $18,400 – $31,400 | $24,900 | |
| Vineland, NJ40 miles | $18,900 – $32,200 | $25,500 | +2% |
| Trenton, NJ40 miles | $19,100 – $32,500 | $25,800 | +4% |
| Reading, PA50 miles | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,200 | +1% |
| Lancaster, PA50 miles | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | level |
| Atlantic City, NJ50 miles | $18,700 – $31,800 | $25,200 | +1% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $18,600 – $31,600 | $25,100 | +1% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | level |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Philadelphia ranks #85 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Philadelphia is 1% below the Pennsylvania figure.
Elsewhere in Pennsylvania
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $18,800 – $31,900 | $25,400 | +2% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $18,600 – $31,600 | $25,100 | +1% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | +2% |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $18,600 – $31,700 | $25,100 | +1% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | level |
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $18,800 – $32,000 | $25,400 | +2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Philadelphia against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | 3,136,190 jobs | $19,400 – $33,000 | $26,200 | +5% |
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $18,200 – $30,900 | $24,500 | −2% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $18,100 – $30,800 | $24,400 | −2% |
| Miami, FL | 2,819,940 jobs | $18,600 – $31,800 | $25,200 | +1% |
Related projects, priced for Philadelphia
Jobs that often go together with kitchen remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Philadelphia wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, shower pan comes out highest (+12%) and window replacement lowest (−1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,250 – $14,300 | +1% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $5,000 – $24,900 | +7% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,500 – $14,800 | −1% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $39,300 – $79,600 | +3% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,100 – $3,100 | +12% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $330 – $1,600 | +8% |
Why two Philadelphia quotes can differ
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+.
Who does the work: Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia the blend is 1.10.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $29.70 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.17 and $36.83 an hour. About 14,260 work in the metro. That is 49.2 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 $35.86 an hour, which is 18% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $27.84 and $50.11 an hour. BLS counts 10,090 of them working in the area, 34.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 15% of the weighting: a median of $35.99 an hour, 17% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $29.28 and $49.89 an hour. About 7,150 work in the metro. That is 24.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044), 10% of the weighting: a median of $34.01 an hour, 27% above the US median of $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $24.64 and $38.68 an hour. About 390 work in the metro. That is 1.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081, weighted 10%) the local median is $29.46 an hour, which is 4% above the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $22.41 and $31.99 an hour. BLS counts 980 of them working in the area, 3.4 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 $27.60 an hour, 16% above the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $23.21 and $30.69 an hour. About 3,360 work in the metro. That is 11.6 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 $550 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $500. That is a swing of roughly 2.0% to 2.2% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington has 2,897,830 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 7th 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% | $23.17 | $29.70 | $36.83 | $29.12 | 1.02 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $27.84 | $35.86 | $50.11 | $30.38 | 1.18 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $29.28 | $35.99 | $49.89 | $30.67 | 1.17 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $24.64 | $34.01 | $38.68 | $26.77 | 1.27 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $22.41 | $29.46 | $31.99 | $28.33 | 1.04 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $23.21 | $27.60 | $30.69 | $23.75 | 1.16 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.10 | |||||
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Kitchen remodel in Philadelphia: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Philadelphia?
For 120 sq ft, expect $18,400 to $31,400 in the Philadelphia area. A standard-spec job lands at $22,300 to $27,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Philadelphia?
About $149 to $249 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $510 to $1,550 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Philadelphia or Vineland?
Vineland is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $25,500, which is 2% more than Philadelphia ($24,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Philadelphia?
About 22% at the midpoint, or $5,500 out of $24,900. Materials are 74% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Philadelphia?
$30,400 to $51,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Philadelphia?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $510 to $1,550 for fees in the Philadelphia area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Philadelphia expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
Philadelphia is 1% 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 Philadelphia?
The BLS median is $29.70 an hour in the Philadelphia area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.17 to $36.83.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Philadelphia?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $18,400 to $23,600 and premium work $26,200 to $31,400. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Philadelphia
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.