Outdoor Kitchen Order Costs Rose 18% in 2026
Homeowners are investing in larger setups and high-end appliances, pushing the median order price to $19,355.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Home Renovation
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The median price for ready-to-assemble outdoor kitchen orders rose 17.9% between 2025 and 2026. This increase reflects a shift toward larger layouts and more frequent inclusion of amenities like sinks and refrigerators in home project plans.
Why it matters
Rising costs are primarily driven by homeowners choosing more expansive, fully-equipped designs rather than just price hikes on components. This trend points to a shift in how families view outdoor spaces, prioritizing prep areas and storage to mirror indoor kitchen functionality.
The median order rose to $19,355 in 2026, a 17.9% increase from $16,409 the prior year, with the middle 80% of orders ranging from $10,330 to $33,807. The Northeast saw the steepest regional growth at 27.1%.
The players
RTA Outdoor Living
A manufacturer based in Greenland, New Hampshire, that specializes in ready-to-assemble outdoor kitchen systems.
The details
Homeowners increasingly favor complex, functional layouts, with 30.5% of 2026 orders including a sink and 60.3% including a refrigerator. These project figures exclude professional installation, site work, or utility connections, which represent separate costs for the homeowner. The growth is distributed across layout types, with linear, L-shaped, and U-shaped kitchens seeing steady increases.
Timeline
January 1 to September 21, 2025: Baseline period for cost data.
January 1 to September 21, 2026: Comparison study period.
October 7, 2026: Official release of the order cost findings.
The Home Front
This rise in outdoor kitchen expenditures follows a broader trend of homeowners upgrading secondary living spaces to match the utility of indoor rooms. It marks a departure from simpler grill-centric installations toward more permanent, high-value infrastructure.
If you are planning an outdoor renovation, consult with a licensed contractor to estimate site work and utility connection costs, as these are often separate from the hardware price. Review your layout needs to determine if you prioritize specialized appliances like refrigerators that may impact your budget.
The takeaway
Homeowners are prioritizing increased functionality and footprint size when upgrading their outdoor kitchens. If you are starting a project, compare your specific layout requirements against these regional averages to set a realistic budget for materials.
Further reading
For more on managing home improvement budgets, explore our guide to Home Renovation.
More information
Review the full outdoor kitchen cost breakdown for additional planning data.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.
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