Crown molding costs $4 to $23 per linear foot installed in 2026
Crown molding costs $4 to $23 per linear foot installed in 2026, and Angi's national average for a project is $1,302 based on 1,425 verified jobs. HomeGuide's range is $7 to $16 a foot. A typical 14 by 18 foot living room needs about 70 linear feet, so $500 to $1,600. Material is $1 to $7 a foot for MDF and foam, $3 to $12 for wood, and $10 to $30 for metal. Labor adds $3 to $12 a foot, or $15 to $20 for custom work. Rooms with 12 foot ceilings need wider molding and run $10 to $50 a foot.
What price guides say
We checked 2 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Angi | Angi lists $4 to $23 per linear foot installed with a national average of $1,302 for a project. |
| HomeGuide | HomeGuide lists $7 to $16 per linear foot with a national average project cost of $1,200. |
| Angi | Angi lists crown molding in Phoenix at an average of $1,216, with a range of $503 to $1,930. |
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| The material | Foam $1 to $4 installed. MDF $5 to $10. Polyurethane $5 to $10. Pine and poplar $5 to $15. Hardwood $20 to $35. Metal $10 to $30. |
| Ceiling height | 8 foot ceilings take 2.5 to 6 inch molding at $5 to $30 a foot. 12 foot ceilings take 6 to 12 inch molding at $10 to $55. |
| Corners and angles | Rooms with bay windows, vaults and many corners take more cuts and more labor. |
| Labor rate | Trim carpenters charge $50 to $105 an hour or $3 to $12 a foot. |
| Painting | Finishing adds $1 to $4 a foot. Pre primed MDF saves a coat. |
What the price includes
An installed quote covers measuring, the molding, cutting and coping corners, nailing, caulking the seams and cleanup. Priming, painting and repairing the wall or ceiling where old trim was are usually separate. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
DIY or hire a pro
Crown molding is a job some people do themselves, but the corners are tricky. You need a miter saw, a level and a lot of patience. Light foam or polyurethane is easier to cut and lift than wood. A small room is a good place to start. Hire a pro for tall ceilings, wide trim, wood with a stain finish, or rooms with many corners. A pro cuts the angles fast and hides the seams, so the finished look is cleaner.
How to judge your quote
- Ask for a price per linear foot and the total feet they measured for the room.
- Ask what the molding is made of, like MDF, foam, polyurethane or wood.
- Ask if the price includes caulking, cutting the corners and cleanup.
- Ask if priming and painting are included or are a separate charge.
- Compare the total with the range above: $4 to $23 per linear foot installed for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Use pre primed MDF in painted rooms. It looks the same as wood once painted and costs half.
- Do several rooms in one visit. The carpenter's setup and trip time get spread across all of them.
- Keep it simple. A single piece profile is far cheaper than a built up three piece cornice.
- DIY it with foam or polyurethane if you own a miter saw. Materials are $2 to $8 a foot and the corners are forgiving.
Why this costs more in 2026
Finish carpenters are in short supply and charge $50 to $105 an hour in 2026, up from a few years ago. MDF and polyurethane molding use resins that track oil, and oil rose after the Iran war began in February 2026. Most foam and polyurethane trim is imported, and freight rose with record fuel prices. Lumber for wood molding also stayed elevated.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Angi and HomeGuide. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does crown molding cost per foot?
Angi lists $4 to $23 per linear foot installed. HomeGuide lists $7 to $16.
How much does a whole room cost?
HomeGuide lists $460 to $1,100 for a 15 by 14 foot living room. Angi lists a national project average of $1,302.
What costs the most?
Material and labor both matter. HomeGuide lists labor at $6 to $12 per linear foot, and exotic wood or metal costs more than MDF or foam.
Can I put it up myself?
Yes, if you have a miter saw and patience. Foam and polyurethane are easier than wood.