Kitchen Cabinet Cost in 2026: Price Per Linear Foot by Tier

Cabinets are the single biggest line on almost every kitchen quote, and they are quoted in a unit most homeowners never use anywhere else: the linear foot. Measure the wall run your cabinets occupy, count base and wall runs separately, and you have the number every showroom will price against.

Kitchen Cabinet Cost Per Linear Foot (2026)

• Stock / RTA from a big-box line: $95-$140 per linear foot
• Entry semi-custom, plywood boxes: $180-$260 per linear foot
• Semi-custom with upgraded doors and finishes: $260-$360 per linear foot
• Custom built-to-order: $380-$550 per linear foot
• Luxury inset or exotic veneer: $600-$900 per linear foot

Installation is priced separately at roughly $100-$150 per linear foot in most US markets, more if walls are out of plumb or you are fitting cabinets around old plaster.

How to Measure Your Linear Feet

1. Measure each straight run of base cabinets in feet and add them together.
2. Do the same for wall cabinets — do not assume they match the base run.
3. Add island cabinetry as its own run.
4. Tall pantry and oven cabinets count at their actual width, but price 30-50% higher than a standard base foot.

What Actually Changes the Price

• Box construction: plywood boxes run 15-25% above particleboard.
• Door style: inset doors add 20-35% over overlay because of the tolerances involved.
• Finish: painted costs more than stained on the same door, typically 10-20%.
• Interior fittings: soft-close, roll-outs, trash pullouts and spice racks add $18-$60 per foot.
• Crown, light rail and toe kick trim add $20-$30 per foot installed.

A $6,000 gap between two cabinet quotes is usually box material and door style, not brand prestige.

Where Cabinets Sit in the Whole Budget

On a $40,000 kitchen, expect $13,000-$16,000 in cabinetry and install. If your cabinet quote is more than half your total budget, either the scope is cabinet-heavy or the rest of the project is under-scoped — check countertops, appliances and electrical before you sign.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do kitchen cabinets cost in 2026?

A typical 25 linear foot kitchen runs about $6,500 in stock cabinets installed, $11,000-$14,000 in semi-custom, and $18,000+ in custom.

Is it cheaper to buy cabinets or have them built?

Factory stock and semi-custom lines are almost always cheaper than a local shop build; custom only wins on odd layouts, unusual ceiling heights or matched furniture pieces.

Does cabinet installation cost extra?

Yes. Budget $100-$150 per linear foot for installation, plus $25 per foot to demo and dispose of the old cabinets.