Kitchen island cost by type
| Type of island | Installed price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling cart | $100–$800 | Rolling and portable; no installation |
| Prefab stationary island | $800–$2,500 | A factory-built island, set in place |
| Custom island | $3,000–$8,000 | Built to fit with cabinets and a countertop |
The guides agree that a custom island costs two to three times as much as a prefab one. HomeGuide puts a custom island at $3,000 to $6,000 and says large islands with a sink, dishwasher or range reach $10,000. Fixr puts the national average at $5,000, and prices a standard island at $3,600 to $9,600 in semi-custom cabinets and $4,800 to $12,000 in custom. Forbes Home puts custom at $3,325 to $7,450 and prefab at $2,300 to $3,575, above HomeGuide for prefab.
Cost with features
| Island | Typical total |
|---|---|
| Basic custom island | $3,000–$8,000 |
| With seating power: two outlets | $300–$700 on top |
| With a sink and plumbing | $3,580–$11,200 |
| With a sink, plumbing and dishwasher | $4,180–$12,900 |
| With a cooktop, hood and outlet | $4,150–$11,650 |
What changes the price
- Type. A rolling cart, a prefab island and a custom island are in three different price bands.
- Size. The guides price by feature, not size, though Fixr puts an island at about $200 per square foot.
- Plumbing. A sink or dishwasher needs new supply and drain lines, which is often the biggest single extra.
- Appliances. A cooktop also needs a hood and sometimes a gas line.
- Electrical. Outlets and lighting are priced one at a time.
- Countertop. Stone, waterfall ends and thick edges cost more than laminate.
- Where you live. The calculator adjusts the labor share for your state's carpenter wages.
Extras to expect
| Item | Typical cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Sink and faucet | $380–$1,400 | A prep or wash sink |
| New plumbing lines | $200–$1,800 | A sink or dishwasher with no lines yet |
| Cooktop | $500–$1,600 | A cooking island |
| Dishwasher | $600–$1,700 | A prep and wash island |
| Range hood and ducting | $500–$1,700 | With a cooktop |
| One outlet | $150–$350 | Each outlet |
| One pendant light | $100–$300 | Each light |
| Waterfall end panel | $500–$2,000 | Each end, custom islands |
| Removing an old island | $200–$500 | Replacing an existing island |
The countertop is the biggest choice: see countertop installation cost. The cabinets underneath are covered by cabinet installation cost. An island is often part of a bigger project: see kitchen remodel cost. Lights are covered by recessed lighting installation cost, and a sink by garbage disposal installation cost.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Does the price include the cabinets, countertop and installation?
- What plumbing, gas and electrical work does my island need, and who does it?
- Is there enough room around the island for people and appliance doors?
- Is a permit needed, and who pulls it?
- What is the lead time for the cabinets and the countertop?
Methodology and sources
We price each type of island from published guides, take the middle of their lows, midpoints and highs, and adjust the labor share for your state's wages. Forbes Home is used as an independent cross-check. Read how we estimate costs.
- HomeGuide: kitchen island cost — price by type, cabinets, countertops, plumbing, appliances, electrical
- Fixr: kitchen island installation cost — national average, price by size and cabinet type, features
- Bob Vila: buy or build a kitchen island — prefab and custom prices, features
- Forbes Home: kitchen island cost — used as an independent cross-check
- BLS OEWS May 2025, State (SOC 47-2031, Carpenters) — state labor index
What each source reports
Our estimate does not rely on any single page. This table lists each page we used and the figures it reports, so you can see where the ranges come from.
| Source | What it reports |
|---|---|
| HomeGuide |
|
| Bob Vila |
|
| Fixr |
|
Common questions about kitchen island costs
How much does kitchen island cost?
A typical job (custom island) comes to about $4,750 nationally, within a range of $3,000 to $8,000. Use the calculator above to adjust for your state, the options you choose and any extras.
How much does a custom kitchen island cost?
About $3,000–$8,000. HomeGuide puts the average at $4,500 and Fixr at $5,000.
How much does a prefab kitchen island cost?
About $800–$2,500 installed. Forbes Home puts prefab at $2,300 to $3,575, above HomeGuide.
How much does a rolling kitchen cart cost?
About $100–$800. A cart is the cheapest way to add an island and needs no installation.
How much does it cost to add a sink to a kitchen island?
A custom island with a sink and new plumbing lines costs about $3,580–$11,200. The sink alone is $380–$1,400 and the plumbing $200–$1,800.
How much does a kitchen island with a cooktop cost?
A custom island with a cooktop, a range hood and an outlet costs about $4,150–$11,650.
Is it cheaper to buy or build a kitchen island?
Buying is cheaper. Bob Vila puts a prefab island at $150 to $2,000 and a higher-end build at $3,000 to $10,000.
How much does electrical work for an island cost?
Each outlet costs about $150–$350 and each pendant light $100–$300.
How much does a kitchen island cost per square foot?
Fixr puts an island at about $200 per sq ft overall, or $5,000 for a 25 sq ft island.
How much of the cost is labor?
Fixr puts labor at about $2,500, roughly 50% of the total.
Where do these prices come from?
They come from 3 published cost pages from 3 publishers, last checked Oct 9, 2026. We report what those pages say and do not invent figures; the table above shows each source.
How does my state change the estimate?
The labor part of the price is scaled by the average wage for the relevant trade in your state, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Materials and equipment are not adjusted.
Why might a contractor's quote differ from this estimate?
A quote reflects your specific scope, access, local demand and what the contractor includes. Ask for line items rather than a single total so you can compare bids on the same basis.
All 3 sources behind these prices
Every figure in the calculator comes from one or more of these pages, with the number each one supports in the link text.