Average Kitchen Remodel Cost: National Averages by Size and Scope

What the National Average Actually Covers

The most frequently cited figure for a kitchen remodel in the United States is around $25,000 to $50,000 for a complete renovation. This range comes from national remodeling cost databases that track thousands of projects, but it masks a wide spread. A basic refresh of a small galley kitchen can land near $10,000, while a large open-plan kitchen with premium appliances routinely exceeds $100,000.

The single biggest driver of cost is not the size of the room but the scope of the work. Replacing cabinet fronts and countertops in an otherwise intact kitchen costs far less than gutting the room down to the studs and moving plumbing or walls. National averages are useful for a first estimate, but you should adjust them based on how much of the existing kitchen you plan to keep.

Labor rates also shift the national number. The same scope of work might cost 15 to 25 percent more in a major metro area like New York or San Francisco than in a mid-sized Midwestern city. When you see a national average, assume it describes a suburban project with standard materials and licensed trade labor, not a luxury renovation or a DIY effort.

Cost by Kitchen Size: Small, Medium, and Large

Kitchen size is usually measured in linear feet of cabinetry rather than square footage, because the cabinets and countertops are where most of the budget goes. A small kitchen with about 100 square feet of floor space and 20 to 25 linear feet of cabinets will cost roughly $15,000 to $30,000 for a mid-range remodel. The per-project floor is high because labor, permits, and appliance hookups cost the same whether the room is small or large.

A medium kitchen, around 150 to 200 square feet with 25 to 30 linear feet of cabinets, typically runs $25,000 to $50,000 for the same mid-range scope. This is the most common project size in national databases, which is why the overall average sits in this band. A large kitchen over 250 square feet with an island and 35 or more linear feet of cabinets usually starts around $40,000 and climbs quickly with material choices.

The cost per square foot is a rough guide, not a precise tool. Small kitchens often cost more per square foot because fixed costs like demolition, permits, and appliance installation are spread over less area. A better way to budget is to price the work by the linear foot of cabinets and the number of appliances being replaced, then add flooring, lighting, and labor.

A Worked Example: The 150-Square-Foot Mid-Range Kitchen

To make the averages concrete, consider a typical 150-square-foot kitchen with 28 linear feet of base and upper cabinets, a 6-foot island, and space for a refrigerator, range, and dishwasher. This is the kind of kitchen found in many 1970s and 1980s suburban homes. The homeowner chooses a mid-range scope: replace all cabinets, countertops, and appliances, install new flooring and lighting, and update the backsplash, but keep the existing plumbing and electrical rough-in.

The itemized budget for this project, based on national median prices from remodeling cost surveys, breaks down as follows. Stock or semi-custom cabinets from a big-box supplier cost about $9,000 to $12,000 installed. Quartz countertops on 28 linear feet with a sink cutout run $4,000 to $5,500. A mid-range appliance package with a French-door refrigerator, slide-in gas range, dishwasher, and over-the-range microwave totals $4,500 to $6,000.

Flooring, backsplash, lighting, and a new sink and faucet add another $3,000 to $4,500. Labor for demolition, cabinet installation, countertop templating and fitting, flooring, and electrical and plumbing hookups comes to roughly $8,000 to $11,000. Permits, dumpster rental, and a 10 percent contingency for surprises bring the total to about $31,000 to $41,000, squarely within the national mid-range band.

How Scope Changes the Total: Three Scenarios

The same 150-square-foot kitchen can cost dramatically different amounts depending on scope. A minor refresh that keeps the existing cabinet boxes but replaces the doors, countertops, sink, and faucet, adds a new backsplash, and repaints the walls typically runs $12,000 to $18,000. This option works when the cabinet structure is sound and the layout functions well.

A major upscale remodel of the same room pushes the total to $65,000 to $90,000. The jump comes from custom cabinetry with soft-close hardware and pull-outs, a quartzite or marble island, a professional-grade range and vent hood, wide-plank hardwood flooring, and structural changes such as removing a wall to open the kitchen to the dining area. Moving plumbing or adding a window each add several thousand dollars.

A budget renovation using laminate countertops, stock cabinets from a home center, and a low-end appliance package can bring the same room in around $18,000 to $24,000. The trade-offs are shorter cabinet life, less durable surfaces, and fewer features. For most homeowners, the mid-range scope offers the best balance of cost and longevity, which is why it dominates the national average.

Regional Differences and Where the Money Goes

Geography affects the bottom line more than any other variable besides scope. The same mid-range 150-square-foot remodel that costs $35,000 in Columbus, Ohio, might run $45,000 in Seattle and $52,000 in Boston. Labor rates account for most of the difference; material prices are similar nationwide because cabinets and appliances ship from the same distributors. A local remodeling association or a contractor's estimate will give you a more accurate number than any national figure.

Understanding where the money goes helps you make trade-offs. Cabinetry is the largest single line item, typically 30 to 40 percent of a mid-range budget. Labor is second at 20 to 30 percent, followed by appliances at 15 to 20 percent. Countertops, flooring, and lighting each take 5 to 10 percent. If you need to trim costs, the cabinet line offers the most room to save by choosing stock over semi-custom, or by refinishing existing boxes instead of replacing them.