Quartz vs. Granite Countertops: Which Costs Less?
The verdict
The price is close enough that cost shouldn't decide it — both run about $2,000–$4,500 installed for a standard kitchen. Choose quartz if you never want to seal a counter and prefer a consistent look; choose granite if you want a genuine one-of-a-kind slab and put hot pans down without thinking. Granite's edge is heat resistance; quartz's edge is zero maintenance. Exotic colors and thick edges push either one toward the high end.
New countertops come down to two front-runners: quartz, the engineered stone that never needs sealing, and granite, the natural slab with one-of-a-kind veining. The surprise for most people is that they cost about the same — so the decision is really about upkeep and looks, not budget.
Quartz is ground stone bound with resin, which makes it non-porous and consistent slab to slab. Granite is cut straight from the earth, so every piece is unique but needs yearly sealing. The table below shows where the small price gaps actually fall.
| Factor | Quartz | Granite |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost (typical kitchen, ~40 sq ft) | $2,000 – $4,500 | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Price per square foot | $50 – $115 / sq ft | $40 – $100 / sq ft |
| What it is | Engineered stone (ground quartz + resin) | Natural stone, quarried in slabs |
| Maintenance | No sealing; wipe-clean, non-porous | Seal yearly; porous, can stain |
| Durability | Very hard; can scorch under hot pans | Very hard; heat-resistant, can chip |
| Look | Consistent, made-to-spec patterns | One-of-a-kind natural veining |
| Best for | Low upkeep, uniform look | Natural stone, heat resistance |
Frequently asked questions
- Is quartz or granite cheaper?
- They overlap heavily. Mid-grade granite often starts a touch cheaper ($40/sq ft vs $50/sq ft), but premium quartz and premium granite both land around $80–$115 per square foot installed. For a typical kitchen, expect $2,000–$4,500 either way.
- Does quartz or granite add more home value?
- Both read as a premium upgrade to buyers and recoup a similar share at resale. Neither clearly out-returns the other; condition and color matter more than the material.
- Which lasts longer?
- Both can last decades. Quartz resists stains without sealing; granite resists heat better. The failure points differ — quartz can scorch, granite can chip or stain if unsealed — but neither wears out quickly.
- Do I have to seal quartz?
- No. Quartz is non-porous and never needs sealing. Granite is porous and should be sealed about once a year to prevent stains.
How we estimate: ranges are cross-checked against current 2026 industry sources (see our data & methodology). Your actual cost depends on local rates — always get multiple written quotes.
Sources
Cost ranges on this page were checked against current (2026) data from these industry sources:
- Quartz Countertops Cost (2026) — HomeGuide
- How Much Do Quartz Countertops Cost? — Angi
- Cost to Install Quartz Countertops — Homewyse