Kitchen remodel cost in Houston, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (120 sq ft)
- $18,100 – $30,800
- Per sq ft
- $147 – $244
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −2%
- US $25,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #106
- 1 = most expensive
A kitchen remodel in Houston, TX usually costs $18,100 to $30,800 for 120 sq ft. That works out to about $147 to $244 per sq ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Carpenters earn a median of $23.88 an hour in the Houston area, 18% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 120 sq ft in Houston, TX, standard level
$21,900 to $27,000
About $176 to $215 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 18% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,200 | $21,100 |
| Labor | $3,900 | $4,750 |
| Permits and fees | $790 | $1,200 |
| Total | $21,900 | $27,000 |
Cost breakdown for 120 sq ft in Houston, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $14,400 | $19,100 | $23,900 | 78% |
| Labor | $3,250 | $4,300 | $5,400 | 18% |
| Permits and fees | $490 | $990 | $1,500 | 4% |
| Total | $18,100 | $24,400 | $30,800 | 100% |
What is behind the Houston number
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, Houston wages are 0.87 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. Houston is at 100.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $19,000 nationally becomes $19,100 here (midpoint, 120 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 98.6: $490 to $1,500.
Data note: 10% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Houston. The wage table below marks each row.
What local crews earn in Houston
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 Houston the blend is 0.87.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $23.88 an hour, 18% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.40 and $28.94 an hour. About 9,600 work in the metro. That is 29.2 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 $28.45 an hour, which is 6% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.71 and $35.44 an hour. BLS counts 19,730 of them working in the area, 60.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 15% of the weighting: a median of $29.47 an hour, 4% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.68 and $36.39 an hour. About 10,980 work in the metro. That is 33.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Houston metro, so we used the Texas statewide median: $22.61 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $19.28 and $26.45 an hour.
For drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081, weighted 10%) the local median is $22.89 an hour, which is 19% below the national $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $18.43 and $27.09 an hour. BLS counts 1,640 of them working in the area, 5.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 5.3), so the local bench is about average.
Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141), 5% of the weighting: a median of $22.18 an hour, 7% below the US median of $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $19.04 and $23.91 an hour. About 4,970 work in the metro. That is 15.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 14.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $390 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $110. That is a swing of roughly 0.5% to 1.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands has 3,289,720 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 5th 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% | $22.40 | $23.88 | $28.94 | $29.12 | 0.82 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 15% | $22.71 | $28.45 | $35.44 | $30.38 | 0.94 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 15% | $23.68 | $29.47 | $36.39 | $30.67 | 0.96 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 10% | $19.28 | $22.61 | $26.45 | $26.77 | 0.84 | state |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $18.43 | $22.89 | $27.09 | $28.33 | 0.81 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 5% | $19.04 | $22.18 | $23.91 | $23.75 | 0.93 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.87 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Houston bid
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.
Counters
New countertops are $50-$150 per square foot installed; HomeGuide gives $1,500-$6,000 for an average kitchen.
How Houston compares
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Houston. College Station is the lowest at about $22,700 (midpoint, 120 sq ft), 95 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TXthis page | $18,100 – $30,800 | $24,400 | |
| Beaumont, TX70 miles | $17,300 – $29,500 | $23,400 | −4% |
| College Station, TX95 miles | $16,800 – $28,600 | $22,700 | −7% |
| Lake Charles, LA130 miles | $17,000 – $28,900 | $23,000 | −6% |
| Austin, TX140 miles | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,200 | −5% |
| Waco, TX170 miles | $16,900 – $28,800 | $22,800 | −7% |
| Texas (statewide) | $17,700 – $30,100 | $23,900 | −2% |
| United States | $18,500 – $31,500 | $25,000 | +2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Houston ranks #106 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Houston is 2% above the Texas figure.
Elsewhere in Texas
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $18,400 – $31,400 | $24,900 | +2% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $17,200 – $29,300 | $23,200 | −5% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $17,000 – $28,900 | $23,000 | −6% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $16,600 – $28,300 | $22,500 | −8% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $16,500 – $28,200 | $22,400 | −9% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $17,000 – $28,900 | $23,000 | −6% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Houston against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $18,400 – $31,400 | $24,900 | +2% |
| Washington, DC | 3,136,190 jobs | $19,400 – $33,000 | $26,200 | +7% |
| Chicago, IL | 4,513,280 jobs | $21,000 – $35,800 | $28,400 | +16% |
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $18,400 – $31,400 | $24,900 | +2% |
What nearby projects cost in Houston
Jobs that often go together with kitchen remodel are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Houston wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, window replacement comes out highest (−4%) and home addition lowest (−10%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,050 – $12,900 | −7% |
| Bathroom remodel | 45 sq ft | $4,400 – $21,900 | −6% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,250 – $14,500 | −4% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $34,100 – $69,200 | −10% |
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $860 – $2,650 | −5% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $280 – $1,400 | −6% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: kitchen remodel pricing in Houston
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Houston. 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
$18,100 to $23,200
Update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout
Standard
$21,900 to $27,000
Full remodel, mid-range finishes, some layout changes
Premium
$25,700 to $30,800
Large or custom remodel, high-end finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small kitchen (100 sq ft) | $15,200 – $19,500 | $18,400 – $22,700 | $21,600 – $25,900 |
| 10x12 kitchen (120 sq ft) | $18,100 – $23,200 | $21,900 – $27,000 | $25,700 – $30,800 |
| average kitchen (200 sq ft) | $29,800 – $38,000 | $36,000 – $44,200 | $42,100 – $50,300 |
| large kitchen (300 sq ft) | $44,500 – $56,600 | $53,600 – $65,700 | $62,600 – $74,800 |
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Kitchen remodel in Houston: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a kitchen in Houston?
For 120 sq ft, expect $18,100 to $30,800 in the Houston area. A standard-spec job lands at $21,900 to $27,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for kitchen remodel in Houston?
About $147 to $244 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $490 to $1,500 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $150 to $250.
+Is kitchen remodel cheaper in Houston or Beaumont?
Beaumont is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 120 sq ft there is $23,400, which is 4% less than Houston ($24,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Houston?
About 18% at the midpoint, or $4,300 out of $24,400. Materials are 78% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 20%.
+What would average kitchen (200 sq ft) cost in Houston?
$29,800 to $50,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does kitchen remodel need a permit in Houston?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $490 to $1,500 for fees in the Houston area (our national range of $500 to $1,500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Houston expensive for kitchen remodel compared with the rest of Texas?
Houston is 2% above the Texas statewide estimate ($23,900 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Houston?
The BLS median is $23.88 an hour in the Houston area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.40 to $28.94.
+What do basic and premium kitchen remodel work cost in Houston?
For 120 sq ft, basic work runs $18,100 to $23,200 and premium work $25,700 to $30,800. Basic means: update: cabinets, counters, flooring and lighting; same layout. Premium means: large or custom remodel, high-end finishes.
Kitchen remodel near Houston
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.