A kitchen remodel costs $15,000 to $45,000 in 2026
The national average is about $27,000. A cosmetic update runs $10,000 to $25,000. A full remodel with new cabinets, counters, floors and appliances averages near $40,000. The Cost vs. Value data puts a minor remodel at $28,458, a major midrange one at $82,793 and an upscale one at $164,104.
Cost by scope
| Cosmetic or small | $10,000 to $25,000. Paint or reface cabinets, new hardware, fixtures, counters. |
|---|---|
| Minor remodel | About $15,000 on average in Fixr. $28,458 in the Cost vs. Value data. |
| Mid range full remodel | $25,000 to $60,000. Fixr averages about $40,000. |
| Major midrange, Cost vs. Value | $82,793. |
| High end | $60,000 to $130,000 or more. Upscale in Cost vs. Value is $164,104. |
| Per square foot | $75 to $250 in Angi's figures. |
What pushes a quote up
| Cabinets | The biggest line in most kitchens. |
|---|---|
| Layout | Moving the sink, stove or walls adds plumbing, gas, electrical and permits. |
| Counters | Laminate, quartz and stone are three price bands. |
| Appliances | A mid tier appliance package runs about $4,000 in one 2026 guide. |
| Size | Linear feet of cabinets drives most of the cost. |
Kitchen remodel cost by region
| Lower cost states | $12,000 to $36,000. Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia and most rural areas. |
|---|---|
| Average cost states | $15,000 to $45,000. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and most mid size cities. |
| Higher cost states | $19,500 to $58,500. California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington, plus big metros such as Chicago, Denver and Washington DC. |
These rows are our estimate. We took the typical national range and adjusted it for local labor costs, which run about 20 percent lower in the cheapest states and about 30 percent higher in the dearest ones. Coastal metros routinely pass $150,000 for luxury work, according to one 2026 guide.
Why the Cost vs. Value number is triple the average
Angi says about $27,000. The Cost vs. Value data says $28,458 for a minor remodel and $82,793 for a major midrange one. The report prices a fixed spec: a 200 square foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of cabinets, new everything, done by a pro. Many real kitchens are smaller, and many owners keep the layout, the floor or the appliances. That is why the everyday average is lower.
Use the report to sanity check a full gut. Use the averages if you are keeping the footprint. The report also shows how much you get back at sale: in one Cost vs. Value summary, a minor remodel recouped about 96 percent of its cost, while midrange and upscale recouped much less.
Cabinets decide the budget
Painting or refacing cabinets can save much of the cabinet budget if the boxes are sound. Stock cabinets cost less than semi custom, which cost less than custom. Decide on cabinets first, and the rest of the budget follows.
Why this costs more in 2026
Cabinets, stone and appliances are heavy freight, many imported, and finishes and adhesives are petroleum based.
The short version is oil. Diesel passed $6 a gallon on the AAA national average for the first time on September 11, 2026. A year earlier it was about $3.70 (CBS 8 reporting AAA). That lands in trip charges, deliveries and anything made from petroleum. In March 2026, construction input prices were up 4.8 percent on the year, the biggest annual gain since January 2023, according to Associated Builders and Contractors, and the Associated General Contractors measured a 37.8 percent one month jump in diesel, the largest since 1990 (Roofing Contractor, April 2026). Quotes are being held open for shorter periods this year, so ask for the expiry date in writing.
How to judge the quote in your hand
- Get a line item quote. Cabinets, counters, plumbing, electrical, floors, appliances, labor.
- Check allowances. Are they realistic for what you want.
- Ask about layout changes. And the permits they need.
- Get the change order rate in writing.
- Check the payment schedule. Pay against progress, not up front.
Ways to pay less
- Keep the layout.
- Reface or paint sound cabinets.
- Choose stock cabinets for most runs.
- Hold 10 to 15 percent back for surprises.
What will this cost me?
Pick the job, your state's cost level and the last detail. The estimate updates as you change them.
An estimate built from published 2026 cost guides. It is not a quote. Get a written quote before work starts.
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Book a free 15 minute callNo pitch deck. We run your audit live on the call.Common questions
How much does a kitchen remodel cost?
$15,000 to $45,000 in 2026, about $27,000 on average.
How much does a small kitchen remodel cost?
A cosmetic update runs $10,000 to $25,000.
What is the cost per square foot for a kitchen remodel?
$75 to $250 in Angi's figures.
Does a kitchen remodel add value?
Minor remodels recoup the most. Upscale remodels recoup much less at sale.
What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?
Usually the cabinets.
Other jobs and rates
Photo: Celestin bonaventure, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped.