Kitchen remodel cost in Chattanooga, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $17,400 – $29,700
- Per sq ft
- $141 – $236
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #192
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a kitchen in Chattanooga, plan on $17,400 to $29,700 for 120 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $141 to $236 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 6% lower than the national one. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.0).
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Chattanooga, TN, standard level
$21,100 to $26,000
About $170 to $207 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 19% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,400 | $20,100 |
| Labor | $3,950 | $4,800 |
| Permits and fees | $730 | $1,100 |
| Total | $21,100 | $26,000 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Chattanooga, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,700 | $18,300 | $22,800 | 78% |
| Labor | $3,300 | $4,350 | $5,450 | 19% |
| Permits and fees | $460 | $910 | $1,350 | 4% |
| Total | $17,400 | $23,500 | $29,700 | 100% |
Why Chattanooga prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $24.41 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Chattanooga is 0.88 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 19% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Chattanooga metro is 96.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 120 sq ft comes to $18,300, compared with $19,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (91.5) and land at $460 to $1,350.
Chattanooga against nearby metros and the rest of Tennessee
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Chattanooga. Dalton is the lowest at about $23,200 (midpoint, 120 sq ft), 35 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TNthis page | $17,400 – $29,700 | $23,500 | |
| Dalton, GA35 miles | $17,200 – $29,200 | $23,200 | −2% |
| Huntsville, AL80 miles | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Knoxville, TN95 miles | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Gainesville, GA100 miles | $17,300 – $29,500 | $23,400 | level |
| Nashville, TN105 miles | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | +1% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +6% |
Across 300 US metros, Chattanooga comes in at #192 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $30,000; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $22,100 (midpoints, 120 sq ft). Statewide, Chattanooga is 0% above the Tennessee figure.
Other Tennessee metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | +1% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,300 | −1% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,400 | −1% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,300 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Chattanooga's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Chattanooga against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poughkeepsie, NY | 268,970 jobs | $20,200 – $34,400 | $27,300 | +16% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Jackson, MS | 270,730 jobs | $17,200 – $29,200 | $23,200 | −1% |
| Lakeland, FL | 265,280 jobs | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,300 | −1% |
Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga is 0.88 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $24.41 an hour, which is 16% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.40 and $29.19 an hour. BLS counts 620 of them working in the area, 23.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 15% of the weighting: a median of $34.77 an hour, 14% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.68 and $37.19 an hour. About 1,760 work in the metro. That is 65.5 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 $28.23 an hour, which is 8% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.34 and $34.14 an hour. BLS counts 860 of them working in the area, 32.0 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 $17.67 an hour, which is 34% below the national $26.77. The middle half of them earn between $16.90 and $21.42 an hour. BLS counts 40 of them working in the area, 1.5 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 $21.72 an hour, 23% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $17.48 and $25.39 an hour. About 60 work in the metro. That is 2.2 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 $22.82 an hour, which is 4% below the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $19.08 and $29.14 an hour. BLS counts 230 of them working in the area, 8.6 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 ($29.19 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $370. At the 25th percentile ($22.40) it shrinks by about $150. The total moves by 1.6% or 0.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 268,750 jobs in the Chattanooga area. That makes it the 98th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.17% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $22.40 | $24.41 | $29.19 | $29.12 | 0.84 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $23.68 | $34.77 | $37.19 | $30.38 | 1.14 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $22.34 | $28.23 | $34.14 | $30.67 | 0.92 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $16.90 | $17.67 | $21.42 | $26.77 | 0.66 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $17.48 | $21.72 | $25.39 | $28.33 | 0.77 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $19.08 | $22.82 | $29.14 | $23.75 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.88 | |||||
Why two Chattanooga 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+.
Pick a size, pick a tier: kitchen remodel pricing in Chattanooga
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Chattanooga 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
$17,400 to $22,300
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$21,100 to $26,000
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$24,800 to $29,700
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $14,600 – $18,700 | $17,700 – $21,800 | $20,800 – $24,900 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $17,400 – $22,300 | $21,100 – $26,000 | $24,800 – $29,700 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $28,700 – $36,700 | $34,700 – $42,600 | $40,600 – $48,500 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $42,900 – $54,600 | $51,600 – $63,300 | $60,400 – $72,100 |
Planning more than one job in Chattanooga?
Because every project leans on different trades, Chattanooga's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, window replacement runs −7% and kitchen backsplash −16%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,950 – $12,700 | −8% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,250 – $21,000 | −10% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,150 – $14,000 | −7% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $34,000 – $68,900 | −10% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $760 – $2,450 | −14% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $250 – $1,250 | −16% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Kitchen remodel in Chattanooga: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Chattanooga?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,400 to $29,700 in the Chattanooga area. A standard-spec job lands at $21,100 to $26,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Chattanooga?
About $141 to $236 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $460 to $1,350 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Chattanooga or Dalton?
Dalton is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,200, which is 2% less than Chattanooga ($23,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chattanooga?
About 19% at the midpoint, or $4,350 out of $23,500. Materials are 78% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Chattanooga?
$28,700 to $48,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Chattanooga?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $460 to $1,350 for fees in the Chattanooga area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Chattanooga expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Chattanooga is 0% above the Tennessee statewide estimate ($23,500 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Chattanooga?
The BLS median is $24.41 an hour in the Chattanooga area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.40 to $29.19.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Chattanooga?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,400 to $22,300 and premium work $24,800 to $29,700. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Chattanooga
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.