Kitchen renovations are expensive no matter where you live, but homeowners pay a lot more to remodel in some parts the country than they do in others. According to data from HomeAdvisor, homeowners in Los Angeles pay nearly $10,000 more, on average, to remodel their kitchens than homeowners in other areas. And homeowners in New York pay nearly $4,000 more. Here’s a deeper look at where homeowners spend the most to remodel their kitchens — and what they spend their money on.
The national average cost for kitchen renovations is $19,920, according to HomeAdvisor True Cost Guide data, with most homeowners spending between $11,194 and $28,646.
Here’s how the most expensive cities stack up:
| Location | Average | Average Range | High Cost |
| National | $19,920 | $11,194 – $28,646 | $45,000 |
| Los Angeles | $29,751 | $20,941 – $42,454 | $60,000 |
| New York City | $23,719 | $13,962 – $33,673 | $50,000 |
| Washington D.C. | $20,808 | $13,695 – $30,752 | $45,160 |
| Detroit | $20,546 | $13,908 – $30,501 | $45,000 |
| Philadelphia | $20,241 | $14,177 – $30,985 | $41,000 |
Not surprisingly, most homeowners make the decision to remodel their kitchens at the start of the year — usually in January, February and March, according to the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI).
Their reasons for remodeling? To upgrade old-looking designs (79%), beautify their homes (77%) and replace old or worn-out materials (76%).
Here’s what homeowners in major cities are investing the most money in to make it happen:
| Project | Natl Avg | L.A. | N.Y.C. | D.C. | Detroit | Phil. |
| Install Cabinets | $4,621 | $5,162 | $4,874 | $4,788 | $11,576 | $4,691 |
| Install Countertops | $2,819 | $3,144 | $2,659 | $2,983 | $2,720 | $2,613 |
| Install Wood Flooring | $4,430 | $5,001 | $4,140 | $4,170 | $7,223 | $3,923 |
| Install Ceramic or Porcelain Tile | $1,591 | $2,116 | $1,664 | $1,819 | $1,446 | $1,890 |
Homeowners make the decision to remodel early in the year, says HIRI, but work on the remodel itself is generally delayed until later in the year — usually March through June. Looking at the numbers, it seems that — whenever it is that homeowners decide to remodel — they’re willing to spend the money to do it right.
