More Kitchen Remodeling: Kitchen Remodel ·Flooring Installation
New countertops are one of the highest-impact kitchen upgrades, and the price depends almost entirely on the material you pick. Expect $50 to $200 per square foot installed in 2026 — about $3,500 to $7,500 for a typical kitchen of 40–60 square feet.
What you’re paying for
A per-square-foot installed price bundles the slab, fabrication (cutting and finishing), standard edges, and basic sink and cooktop cutouts. Premium edge profiles, extra cutouts, seams on large kitchens, and old-countertop removal can add to it, so confirm what’s included in a quote.
Cost by material
Material is the whole ballgame. The table below shows typical installed pricing per square foot, from budget laminate to premium quartzite and marble.
Why quartz dominates
Engineered quartz has become the default for good reason: it’s non-porous (no sealing), highly durable, available in consistent colors and marble-look patterns, and priced in the middle of the range. Natural granite and quartzite offer one-of-a-kind stone at a similar-to-higher price but need periodic sealing. Marble is the luxury look but stains and scratches more easily.
How to save on countertops
- Choose quartz or granite over marble/quartzite for durability per dollar.
- Keep edges simple — standard eased or beveled edges are included.
- Minimize seams by planning slab layout with your fabricator.
- Consider a remnant for a small kitchen or island to save on material.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Slab material | $20 – $120 / sq ft | – |
| Fabrication & installation | $20 – $60 / sq ft | – |
| Edge profiles | $10 – $40 / linear ft | – |
| Sink & cooktop cutouts | $100 – $300 each | – |
| Old countertop removal | $50 – $300 | – |
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate | $20 – $50 / sq ft | Most affordable |
| Butcher block | $40 – $100 / sq ft | – |
| Granite | $55 – $175 / sq ft | – |
| Quartz (engineered) | $50 – $200 / sq ft | Most popular |
| Quartzite / marble | $70 – $220 / sq ft | – |
What affects the price
- Material The biggest driver — laminate is cheapest, with quartz, granite, quartzite, and marble costing several times more.
- Kitchen size Countertops are priced per square foot, so more counter space means a higher total.
- Edge profile Standard eased edges are included; ogee, bullnose, and mitered edges add per-foot cost.
- Cutouts & seams Sink, cooktop, and faucet cutouts plus seams for large kitchens add fabrication cost.
Countertops installation cost by state
Where you live can change the price as much as the options you pick. Labor is a big part of the bill, and construction workers are paid more in some states than others. A typical countertops installation job costs about $59 to $230 per sq ft in Hawaii (17% above the U.S. average). In Arkansas, it costs about $43 to $170 per sq ft (15% below the U.S. average).
See the typical cost in all 50 states and D.C.
| State | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $44 – $170/sq ft |
| Alaska | $57 – $230/sq ft |
| Arizona | $48 – $190/sq ft |
| Arkansas | $43 – $170/sq ft |
| California | $56 – $220/sq ft |
| Colorado | $50 – $200/sq ft |
| Connecticut | $54 – $210/sq ft |
| Delaware | $49 – $200/sq ft |
| District of Columbia | $54 – $220/sq ft |
| Florida | $46 – $180/sq ft |
| Georgia | $46 – $180/sq ft |
| Hawaii | $59 – $230/sq ft |
| Idaho | $47 – $190/sq ft |
| Illinois | $57 – $230/sq ft |
| Indiana | $51 – $200/sq ft |
| Iowa | $49 – $190/sq ft |
| Kansas | $48 – $190/sq ft |
| Kentucky | $47 – $190/sq ft |
| Louisiana | $45 – $180/sq ft |
| Maine | $49 – $200/sq ft |
| Maryland | $50 – $200/sq ft |
| Massachusetts | $57 – $230/sq ft |
| Michigan | $50 – $200/sq ft |
| Minnesota | $55 – $220/sq ft |
| Mississippi | $44 – $170/sq ft |
| Missouri | $51 – $200/sq ft |
| Montana | $49 – $200/sq ft |
| Nebraska | $47 – $190/sq ft |
| Nevada | $52 – $210/sq ft |
| New Hampshire | $50 – $200/sq ft |
| New Jersey | $57 – $230/sq ft |
| New Mexico | $46 – $180/sq ft |
| New York | $55 – $220/sq ft |
| North Carolina | $45 – $180/sq ft |
| North Dakota | $51 – $200/sq ft |
| Ohio | $50 – $200/sq ft |
| Oklahoma | $46 – $180/sq ft |
| Oregon | $55 – $220/sq ft |
| Pennsylvania | $51 – $200/sq ft |
| Rhode Island | $52 – $210/sq ft |
| South Carolina | $46 – $180/sq ft |
| South Dakota | $45 – $180/sq ft |
| Tennessee | $46 – $180/sq ft |
| Texas | $46 – $180/sq ft |
| Utah | $47 – $190/sq ft |
| Vermont | $49 – $190/sq ft |
| Virginia | $48 – $190/sq ft |
| Washington | $58 – $230/sq ft |
| West Virginia | $48 – $190/sq ft |
| Wisconsin | $52 – $210/sq ft |
| Wyoming | $50 – $200/sq ft |
These are numbers to plan with, not quotes. Each one is this guide's U.S. range, adjusted for what construction workers earn in that state. See every state cost guide or how we estimate.
Common questions
- How much do countertops cost for an average kitchen?
- Most kitchens have 40–60 square feet of counter, so a complete project typically runs $3,500–$7,500 installed, depending on material.
- Is quartz or granite cheaper?
- They overlap. Granite runs about $55–$175 per square foot installed and quartz $50–$200. Quartz is more uniform and lower-maintenance; granite is natural stone with unique patterns.
- What's the cheapest countertop material?
- Laminate is by far the cheapest at $20–$50 per square foot installed, followed by butcher block. Both look far better than older versions.
- Does the installed price include fabrication?
- Yes — a per-square-foot installed price includes fabrication, standard edges, and basic cutouts. Premium edges and extra cutouts cost more.
- Do quartz countertops need sealing?
- No — engineered quartz is non-porous and never needs sealing, unlike granite and marble, which should be sealed periodically.
- Can I install countertops myself?
- Laminate and butcher block are DIY-friendly. Stone and quartz slabs are heavy, require precise fabrication, and are best left to professionals.
How we estimate: These are typical U.S. prices for materials and for hiring a pro to install them. We checked them against the 2026 sources listed below (see how we get our numbers). Your price depends on where you live, the size of the job and the materials you pick. Get two or three written bids before you choose a contractor.
Sources
We checked the prices on this page against 2026 numbers from these sources: