Kitchen remodel cost in Knoxville, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $17,400 – $29,600
- Per sq ft
- $141 – $235
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #205
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a kitchen remodel in the Knoxville area: $17,400 to $29,600 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 runs 6% lower than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $24.23 an hour in the Knoxville area, 17% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Knoxville, TN, standard level
$21,000 to $25,900
About $169 to $207 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 18% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $20,100 |
| Labor | $3,850 | $4,700 |
| Permits and fees | $740 | $1,100 |
| Total | $21,000 | $25,900 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Knoxville, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,700 | $18,300 | $22,900 | 78% |
| Labor | $3,200 | $4,250 | $5,300 | 18% |
| Permits and fees | $460 | $930 | $1,400 | 4% |
| Total | $17,400 | $23,500 | $29,600 | 100% |
Where the Knoxville 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, Knoxville wages are 0.85 times the national level. Labor makes up about 18% of the midpoint estimate (20% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Knoxville is at 96.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $19,000 nationally becomes $18,300 here (midpoint, 120 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.6: $460 to $1,400.
Data note: 20% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Knoxville. The wage table below marks each row.
Who does the work: Knoxville 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 Knoxville the blend is 0.85.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $24.23 an hour, 17% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.11 and $28.56 an hour. About 1,280 work in the metro. That is 30.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 15%) the local median is $28.19 an hour, which is 7% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.79 and $34.73 an hour. BLS counts 2,170 of them working in the area, 51.1 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 $28.78 an hour, 6% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.69 and $35.32 an hour. About 1,700 work in the metro. That is 40.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Knoxville metro, so we used the Tennessee statewide median: $20.95 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $17.57 and $22.81 an hour.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Knoxville metro, so we used the Tennessee statewide median: $22.84 an hour against $28.33 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.98 and $27.18 an hour.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 5% of the weighting: a median of $19.44 an hour, 18% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $18.12 and $22.09 an hour. About 400 work in the metro. That is 9.4 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 $330 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $160. That is a swing of roughly 0.7% to 1.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Knoxville has 424,600 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 59th 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% | $22.11 | $24.23 | $28.56 | $29.12 | 0.83 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $22.79 | $28.19 | $34.73 | $30.38 | 0.93 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $22.69 | $28.78 | $35.32 | $30.67 | 0.94 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $17.57 | $20.95 | $22.81 | $26.77 | 0.78 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $18.98 | $22.84 | $27.18 | $28.33 | 0.81 | state |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $18.12 | $19.44 | $22.09 | $23.75 | 0.82 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.85 | |||||
Kitchen remodel: what moves the price in Knoxville
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.
Cost by quality level and size in Knoxville
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Knoxville. 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
$17,400 to $22,300
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$21,000 to $25,900
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$24,700 to $29,600
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 | $21,000 – $25,900 | $24,700 – $29,600 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $28,700 – $36,600 | $34,600 – $42,500 | $40,500 – $48,400 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $42,800 – $54,400 | $51,500 – $63,200 | $60,200 – $71,900 |
How Knoxville compares
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Knoxville. Johnson City is the lowest at about $23,100 (midpoint, 120 sq ft), 100 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TNthis page | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | |
| Asheville, NC95 miles | $17,500 – $29,800 | $23,600 | +1% |
| Dalton, GA95 miles | $17,200 – $29,200 | $23,200 | −1% |
| Chattanooga, TN95 miles | $17,400 – $29,700 | $23,500 | level |
| Johnson City, TN100 miles | $17,100 – $29,100 | $23,100 | −2% |
| Kingsport, TN100 miles | $17,300 – $29,400 | $23,300 | −1% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +6% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Knoxville ranks #205 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Knoxville is 0% below the Tennessee figure.
Elsewhere in Tennessee
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $17,600 – $30,000 | $23,800 | +2% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| Chattanooga, TN | 268,750 jobs | $17,400 – $29,700 | $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% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Knoxville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $17,300 – $29,500 | $23,400 | level |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $17,400 – $29,600 | $23,500 | level |
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $17,100 – $29,100 | $23,100 | −2% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $18,100 – $30,900 | $24,500 | +4% |
What nearby projects cost in Knoxville
Jobs that often go together with kitchen remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Knoxville wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, window replacement comes out highest (−7%) and home addition lowest (−12%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $3,950 – $12,600 | −9% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,250 – $21,000 | −10% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,150 – $14,100 | −7% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $33,600 – $68,100 | −12% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $820 – $2,550 | −10% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $260 – $1,350 | −11% |
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Kitchen remodel in Knoxville: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Knoxville?
For 120 sq ft, expect $17,400 to $29,600 in the Knoxville area. A standard-spec job lands at $21,000 to $25,900. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Knoxville?
About $141 to $235 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $460 to $1,400 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Knoxville or Asheville?
Asheville is 95 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,600, which is 1% more than Knoxville ($23,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Knoxville?
About 18% at the midpoint, or $4,250 out of $23,500. Materials are 78% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Knoxville?
$28,700 to $48,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Knoxville?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $460 to $1,400 for fees in the Knoxville area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Knoxville expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Knoxville is 0% below 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 Knoxville?
The BLS median is $24.23 an hour in the Knoxville area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.11 to $28.56.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Knoxville?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $17,400 to $22,300 and premium work $24,700 to $29,600. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Knoxville
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.