Crown molding installation costs $1,302 on average, and most homeowners pay $609 to $2,125, according to Angi's guide updated September 1, 2026. That works out to $4 to $23 per linear foot installed. MDF and polyurethane are the cheapest materials, while hardwood and plaster cost the most. House AI can show new trim on a photo of your room before you hire anyone.
Your total depends on the linear footage, the material, and the number of corners in the room.
Crown molding cost per linear foot by material
Angi prices the molding itself separately from labor, and adds $3 to $12 per linear foot for professional installation. The third column adds that labor range to each material, for a rough installed price per foot.
| Material | Material cost per linear foot | Installed, with Angi's labor | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDF | $1 to $7 | $4 to $19 | Paints smoothly and stays straight, but swells if it gets wet, so skip it in bathrooms |
| Polyurethane | $2 to $10 | $5 to $22 | Light and moisture resistant, so it suits bathrooms |
| Solid wood | $3 to $30 | $6 to $42 | Pine and maple run $3 to $10, oak and mahogany $10 to $12, and exotic hardwoods $15 to $30 |
| Plaster (premade) | $6 to $20 | $9 to $32 | Heavy and harder to hang, and restoring old plaster molding can cost $4,000 to $6,000 |
HomeGuide's guide, dated April 5, 2023, lists lower material prices: $1 to $3 a foot for MDF, $2 to $6 for polyurethane, $1 to $6 for common wood, and $6 to $12 for plaster. It puts the installed average at $7 to $16 per linear foot.
What moves the price
Labor is the biggest swing. Angi puts it at $3 to $12 per linear foot, or $50 to $100 an hour, with most contractors spending two to three hours per room. Custom profiles push labor to $15 to $20 a foot.
Corners and ceiling height come next. Angi says many corners, obstructions, or multi-piece profiles can raise labor costs by 30% to 60%. Taller ceilings need wider molding, so the price per foot climbs: $3 to $25 for an 8-foot ceiling and $7 to $50 for 12 feet or more. Painting or staining adds $1 to $3.50 per linear foot, and matching trim around doors and windows adds $150 to $200 each.
For a full room, HomeGuide puts a 10 by 10 foot kitchen at $210 to $570 and a 15 by 14 foot living room at $460 to $1,100. Trimming a whole home runs $2,000 to $4,000.
How to preview crown molding before you pay
Step 1: Add up the linear feet
Measure every wall where the molding will run and add the lengths together. Order a little extra, since corner cuts waste material.
Step 2: See the trim on a photo of the room
Upload a photo of the room to House AI, set the room type, and describe the trim in your own words, such as wide white crown molding with a stepped profile. Each design takes about 15 seconds, and every user gets 3 free designs a day, so you can compare a slim profile with a wide one.
Step 3: Get quotes per linear foot
Ask each installer for one price per linear foot that covers material, labor, and paint. House AI doesn't measure the room or count linear feet, and the exact molding profile can drift in a render, so let the installer measure.
Frequently asked questions
Is crown molding expensive to install?
Not usually. Angi's national average is $1,302, and most homeowners pay $609 to $2,125.
What is the cheapest crown molding?
MDF and polyurethane. Angi lists MDF at $1 to $7 per linear foot and polyurethane at $2 to $10, before installation.
How much does it cost to put crown molding in one room?
HomeGuide puts a 10 by 10 foot room at $210 to $570 and a 15 by 14 foot living room at $460 to $1,100.
Can I install crown molding myself?
You can, but the angled corner cuts take practice. Hiring a pro adds $3 to $12 per linear foot in labor, according to Angi.
Keep reading
- What Does Interior Design Cost in 2026? Designer vs DIY vs AI
- How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Room?
- Can AI Redesign a Photo of My Room?
- Free AI Interior Design
- House AI Pricing
Sources: Angi, "How Much Does It Cost to Install Crown Molding? [2026 Data]," updated September 1, 2026. HomeGuide, "How much does crown molding cost to install?", April 5, 2023. Both checked October 17, 2026. House AI figures come from the House AI app.