What a New Kitchen Costs in 2026 (and What Drives the Price)
A new kitchen in the US typically costs between about $20,000 and $83,000 in 2026, depending on scope. Houzz’s 2026 study puts the median at $20,000 for a minor remodel and $55,000 for a major one, and the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report puts a midrange major remodel at $82,793. Cabinets are usually the single biggest line item, so the number of boxes, the finish, and how they’re built move the total more than almost anything else.
This guide breaks down where the money goes, what pushes cabinet prices up or down, and the costs that tend to get left out of a first budget.
The short answer
Plan on $20,000–$55,000 for a typical kitchen remodel (Houzz 2026 medians for minor and major projects), with cabinets taking roughly 25% to 40% or more of the budget. New cabinets for a standard 10×10 reference kitchen start around $2,650 at Cabford (nine RTA cabinets only, Melamine finish, with the current bundle discount, as of October 2026; filler strips, end panels and toe kick are extra). Most real kitchens need more cabinets than that.
- The biggest cabinet cost drivers are how many cabinets you need, the finish, and box material (plywood or particle board).
- Countertops, installation, plumbing, electrical, permits, appliances and hardware are separate costs. Budget for them from day one.
- A free 3D design turns your layout into an itemized cabinet list, so you’re working from real numbers instead of guesses.
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in 2026?
It depends on what “remodel” means for your kitchen. Swapping doors and appliances costs a fraction of a full gut job. The three most-cited US benchmarks all measure slightly different things:
| Benchmark | Minor / refresh | Major / full remodel | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houzz Kitchen Trends Study (2026) | $20,000 median | $55,000 median ($46,000 smaller kitchens, $75,000 larger) | What 1,780 homeowners reported spending |
| Cost vs. Value Report (2025) | $28,458 (midrange) | $82,793 midrange; $164,104 upscale | Estimated cost of a defined 200 sq ft kitchen project |
| Angi (2026) | $10,000–$20,000 | $20,000–$65,000; complete remodels $65,000–$130,000+ | Costs reported on Angi projects; national average $26,990 |
The 2026 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study found a median of $55,000 for major remodels and $20,000 for minor ones, based on homeowners surveyed in July 2025. Houzz counts a remodel as “major” when at least all the cabinets and appliances are replaced.
The 2025 Cost vs. Value Report from the Journal of Light Construction prices specific projects in a 200-square-foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of cabinets. Its minor midrange remodel ($28,458) keeps the existing cabinet boxes and replaces only the doors and drawer fronts. The major midrange remodel ($82,793) includes new semi-custom cabinets with an island.
Angi’s 2026 kitchen remodel cost guide reports a national average of $26,990, with most homeowners paying $14,591 to $41,617, or about $75 to $250 per square foot.
How much of the budget goes to cabinets?
Cabinets are usually the largest single line item. HomeGuide’s 2026 cost breakdown assigns 25% of a kitchen remodel budget to cabinets and shelving, ahead of appliances (15%), installation and labor (15%), and countertops and backsplash (10%). Angi (2026) calls cabinetry “the single largest cost driver” and says it can reach 40% or more of the total, with cabinet costs ranging from $2,000 to $28,000 or more.
On a $30,000 remodel, that works out to about $7,500 at 25% or $12,000 at 40%. Which end you land on depends mostly on whether you choose stock, semi-custom or custom cabinets, and how many you need.
Cabinets are also rarely skipped. In the Houzz 2026 study, 84% of renovating homeowners updated their cabinetry, and 68% of those replaced all of it.
What does a 10×10 kitchen cost in cabinets?
A 10×10 kitchen is the industry’s standard comparison layout: two adjacent 10-foot walls in an L shape. It’s a yardstick for comparing cabinet prices across finishes and brands. It isn’t a whole kitchen. Real kitchens often need 15 to 30 or more cabinets once you add a pantry, an island, a range wall or extra drawers.
Cabford’s Basic Kitchen bundle is our 10×10 reference: nine frameless cabinets (two 30″ double-door wall cabinets, one 36″ double-door wall cabinet, one 30″ bridge wall cabinet, one 36″ sink base, one 18″ two-drawer base, one 42″ blind corner base and two 30″ double-door base cabinets). As of October 2026:
| 10×10 Basic Kitchen (9 cabinets) | List price | With current 20% bundle discount |
|---|---|---|
| Melamine finish, RTA | $3,312.00 | $2,649.60 |
| Melamine finish, assembled | $3,987.00 | $3,189.60 |
| Lacquer or UV finish, RTA | $3,865.68 | — |
For individual cabinets, a 36″ sink base is $347.04, a 30″ × 30″ double-door wall cabinet is $280.80, a 30″ double-door base is $491.04 and a 24″ × 90″ pantry is $324.72 (RTA, Melamine finish). Prices change, so check current RTA cabinet prices before you budget. Countertops, installation and handles are not included.
To estimate a larger kitchen, count your cabinets first. Our guide to kitchen cabinet sizes and layout basics explains the standard widths, and how to measure your kitchen walks you through getting the wall dimensions right.
Want a cabinet price for your actual kitchen?
Get a free 3D design with an itemized cabinet list within 72 hours.
What makes cabinets cost more or less?
Five things drive most of the difference between two cabinet quotes.
1. How many cabinets you need
Cabinet cost scales with the number of boxes, not just the square footage. Two kitchens with the same footprint can differ by several cabinets once you add a tall pantry, a second drawer bank or an island. A short cabinet list is the most reliable way to keep the number down.
2. Finish and door style
The finish on the doors changes the price of the same cabinet. At Cabford, a 30″ double-door base cabinet is $491.04 in Melamine and $559.44 in Lacquer (RTA, October 2026). Melamine and PET are durable, lower-cost surfaces. UV and Lacquer give a higher-gloss or painted look at a higher price. Our guide to Melamine vs. PET vs. UV vs. Lacquer compares how each holds up.
Door style matters too. Cabford offers Slab (flat), Shaker (recessed center panel) and J-Handle doors. J-Handle doors have a built-in finger grip, so those doors don’t need separate pulls. Order a door sample (11″ × 15″ or 6″ × 6″, from $5.99, refundable) before you commit to a finish.
3. Plywood vs. particle board
Box material is easy to miss on a quote. Many budget cabinets use particle board (compressed wood chips and resin) for the sides and shelves. It costs less to make, but it holds screws less firmly and can swell if it gets wet, which matters most around the sink and dishwasher. Plywood is made from layered wood veneers. It’s lighter and stronger, and it holds hardware better over time.
Every Cabford cabinet uses 3/4″ (18 mm) plywood sides, a 6 mm back panel and 3/4″ plywood shelves, with no particle board in the box. When you compare quotes, check what the box is made of, not just what the doors look like.
4. Frameless vs. face-frame construction
Frameless (European-style) cabinets have no wood frame around the front of the box. The doors mount directly to the sides, which gives you slightly wider openings and easier access to the interior. All Cabford cabinets are frameless, with soft-close, concealed 6-way adjustable hinges and full-access soft-close drawer glides.
5. RTA vs. assembled
RTA (ready-to-assemble) cabinets ship flat and you build the boxes yourself. Assembled cabinets arrive built. At Cabford, assembly adds $75 per cabinet. The cabinets are otherwise identical. RTA ships in 3–7 business days, and assembled cabinets are built to order and ship in 8–12. Our RTA vs. assembled guide covers the trade-offs in detail.
What costs do people forget?
A cabinet quote covers cabinets. These line items are usually separate, and they add up quickly:
| Line item | Typical 2026 cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Countertops (installed) | $1,800–$4,400; premium materials $10,000+ | Angi |
| Cabinet installation labor | $40–$80 per hour or $50–$300 per linear foot | HomeGuide |
| Demolition (full gut) | $500–$2,500; cabinet removal alone $300–$600 | HomeGuide |
| New plumbing or repiping | $1,500–$15,000 (about $7,500 average) | Angi |
| Sink and faucet | About $420 and $260 on average | Angi |
| Electrical work | $50–$100 per hour; lighting $500–$2,000+ | Angi |
| Moving a gas line | $375–$750 | Angi |
| Appliances (full set, installed) | $2,500–$6,800 | HomeGuide |
| Backsplash | $500–$1,500 | Angi |
| Flooring | $1,000–$5,000 | Angi |
| Permits | $460–$2,770 | Angi |
| General contractor | 10%–20% of the project cost | Angi |
Figures are from Angi’s 2026 kitchen remodel guide and HomeGuide’s 2026 guides to kitchen remodel costs and cabinet installation costs. Local prices vary widely, so treat these as planning ranges and get local quotes.
A few more items that rarely make it into a first budget:
- Handles and pulls. Cabinets usually ship without them. Angi says everyday knobs and pulls start at $1 to $2 each, while ornate pieces can reach $500 each. Multiply by every door and drawer in your list.
- Delivery and getting the boxes inside. Cabford ships from Houston, TX by curbside freight, and orders over $2,500 ship free. Curbside means the cabinets are left at the curb, so plan for help carrying them in.
- Fillers, panels and trim. Filler strips, end panels and toe kicks finish the install and close gaps at walls. Make sure they’re on your list.
- Countertop templating. Countertops are measured after the base cabinets are installed, which adds days to the timeline. Your fabricator can give you the lead time.
- Living without a kitchen. Takeout and a temporary setup for meals cost money during demolition and installation.
Finally, set aside a contingency on top of your estimate. Old wiring, a damaged subfloor or a slow leak behind the sink often shows up only once the old cabinets come out.
How to keep the cost down
- Keep the layout. Leaving the sink, range and dishwasher where they are avoids most new plumbing, gas and electrical work.
- Use standard cabinet sizes. Standard widths cost less than custom sizes. Use filler strips for the last inch or two.
- Choose the finish for how you live. Melamine and PET cost less than Lacquer or UV. Compare samples side by side before paying for a premium finish.
- Assemble RTA cabinets yourself if you have the time. It takes about 20 minutes per cabinet and avoids the per-cabinet assembly charge.
- Get an itemized list before you buy. A free 3D kitchen design from Cabford includes an itemized cabinet list within 72 hours, so you can price the exact boxes and catch missing fillers or panels.
- Order once, correctly. Unused RTA cabinets in their original, unopened packaging can be returned within 30 days with a 20% restocking fee. Assembled cabinets are final sale. Read how to order kitchen cabinets before checking out.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in 2026?
The 2026 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study puts the median at $20,000 for a minor kitchen remodel and $55,000 for a major one. Angi reports a 2026 national average of $26,990, with most homeowners paying $14,591 to $41,617. The 2025 Cost vs. Value Report estimates $28,458 for a minor midrange remodel and $82,793 for a major midrange remodel.
What percentage of a kitchen remodel is cabinets?
Cabinets are usually the largest single line item. HomeGuide’s 2026 breakdown puts cabinets and shelving at about 25% of the budget, and Angi says cabinets can account for 40% or more. On a $30,000 remodel, that’s roughly $7,500 to $12,000.
How much do cabinets cost for a 10×10 kitchen?
As of October 2026, Cabford’s nine-cabinet 10×10 Basic Kitchen costs $3,312.00 RTA in the Melamine finish, or $2,649.60 with the current 20% bundle discount. Fully assembled, it’s $3,987.00, or $3,189.60 with the discount. The bundle is cabinets only: filler strips, end panels and toe kick are extra. A 10×10 is a comparison layout, and most real kitchens need 15 to 30 or more cabinets.
Are plywood cabinets worth the extra cost over particle board?
For most kitchens, yes. Plywood holds screws and hinges more firmly and handles moisture better than particle board, which matters most around the sink and dishwasher. Check the box material on any quote, because two cabinets with the same doors can be built very differently.
Do kitchen cabinet prices include countertops and installation?
Usually not. Countertops, installation, handles and pulls are typically separate costs. Cabford cabinets don’t include countertops, installation or hardware, and Angi puts installed countertops at $1,800 to $4,400 in 2026.
What hidden costs should I budget for in a kitchen remodel?
The most commonly missed costs are permits ($460 to $2,770, according to Angi), plumbing and electrical changes, demolition and disposal, cabinet hardware, filler strips and panels, and delivery. It’s also worth setting aside a contingency for problems that only appear once the old kitchen is removed.
The bottom line
Most US kitchen remodels in 2026 land between about $20,000 and $55,000, and cabinets are usually the biggest share of that. The cabinet number depends on how many boxes you need, the finish you choose and how the boxes are built. Count your cabinets, compare plywood to plywood, and budget for countertops, installation, permits and hardware from the start. To get a real number for your kitchen, request a free 3D design with an itemized cabinet list, or browse RTA cabinets and assembled cabinets to see current prices.
