Cost to Kitchen Cabinet Replacement in Boston, MA (2026)
If you’re budgeting a kitchen cabinet replacement in Boston, most projects run $9,452-$29,538, 18% above the $15,000 national average. What moves that number most is usually one thing: Cabinet Construction Type. On its own it can swing the cost by $75 - $1,200 per linear foot, so that’s the decision to slow down on before you sweat the smaller stuff.
Easiest place to save: Choose stock or RTA cabinets and invest the savings in better countertops. Most visitors notice the countertop material more than the cabinet brand. $4,000 in IKEA cabinets plus $3,000 in quartz countertops often looks better than $10,000 in mid-range cabinets with $800 laminate tops.
Why it costs this here: A carpenter in Boston earns $39.07 an hour, 24% more than the $31.55 national average, 5th highest of the 49 metros we price. Labor is 27% of what this particular job costs, which is why Boston lands where it does: the materials cost roughly what they cost anywhere, and the wage is what moves.
The housing stock: Boston's housing stock is centered on homes built around 1963 (Census ACS 2023 median), meaning the typical home here predates the 1978 lead-paint cutoff. Federal lead-safe rules apply to work that disturbs painted surfaces in those homes, and certified-firm practices add real cost to bids in older metros like this one.
Scale of the spend: Against Boston's median home value of $610,900 (Census ACS 2023), a typical kitchen cabinet replacement here runs about 3.2% of the house's worth.
The contractor market: Boston is one of the deepest contractor markets we price: about 9,300 specialty-trade businesses operate in the metro (Census CBP 2022), so collecting three truly competitive bids is realistic here.
In the Northeast (where Boston sits): Higher labor rates, strict building codes in some areas, high cost of living.
$9,452-$29,538 in Boston
18% above the national average · 1.18x cost multiplier
In Boston, a kitchen cabinet replacement runs $9,452 to $29,538 on average - about 18% above what homeowners pay nationwide. The Northeast market's labor costs account for most of the gap, with material pricing and local permitting fees adding to the spread. Use the cost table below to compare budget, mid-range, and premium options side by side.
Cost Breakdown in Boston
| Line Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per per linear foot | $177 | $591 | $1418 |
| Materials | $4,060 | $10,440 | $25,520 |
| Labor | $3,096 | $5,573 | $8,668 |
| Permits | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $7,156+19% vs. national avg | $16,593+19% vs. national avg | $36,508+18% vs. national avg |
Budget
Stock ready-to-assemble (RTA) or big-box store stock cabinets (IKEA, Home Depot Hampton Bay), basic installation - 20-25 linear feet
Mid-Range
Semi-custom cabinets with soft-close hinges, dovetail drawer boxes, and more finish options (KraftMaid, Merillat, Medallion) - 20-25 linear feet
Premium
Custom or high-end semi-custom cabinets (Waypoint, Wellborn, Omega, custom shop) with specialty finishes, rollout trays, built-in organizers - 20-25 linear feet
Material Options
Material prices below are national averages; availability in Boston may shift costs slightly.
| Material | Cost/Unit | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Stock / Ready-to-Assemble (RTA) | $75-$200/linear ft installed | Budget kitchens, rental properties, DIYers comfortable with flat-pack assemblyLowest cost, available same-day from big-box stores, good quality at higher price points (IKEA Sektion) |
| Semi-Custom Cabinets | $200-$600/linear ft installed | Most kitchen remodels - the best balance of quality, options, and costWide range of sizes, finishes, and options, dovetail drawers and soft-close standard at mid tier, 4-8 week lead time |
| Custom Cabinets (Shop-Built) | $500-$1,200+/linear ft installed | Unusual kitchen layouts, design-forward renovations, high-end homesBuilt to your exact specs, any size, finish, and configuration possible, highest quality construction |
| Thermofoil Cabinets | $150-$350/linear ft installed | Contemporary kitchens, budget mid-range option for a clean modern lookEasy to clean, uniform color and sheen, durable surface |
| Shaker-Style Wood Cabinets | $250-$800/linear ft installed | Traditional, transitional, and contemporary kitchens - the most versatile cabinet styleClassic timeless look, repaintable and refinishable, most popular style in current market |
Other Projects in Boston
Boston Estimate
Typical Range
$9,452-$29,538
vs. National Average
18% above national
Cost Multiplier
1.18x
Cost Per per linear foot
$177-$1418
This 1.18x estimate prices Boston labor from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) and applies a lighter regional adjustment to materials and permits, which vary less by metro than labor does. Actual bids vary by contractor, project scope, and timing.
See national average costs →