Today’s top two upscale countertop options, granite and quartz, are competitively priced with one another. Granite and quartz are quite different materials, one being a natural stone and another being an engineered composite made to resemble the natural stone.
This guide covers unique properties, pros and cons, looks, maintenance requirements, durability aspects, and pricing considerations for each option.
Cost
Granite countertops cost between $48 and $135 per square foot installed. The cost is largely based on whether you choose tiles or slabs. When going with a full-sized granite slab, its thickness, size (length and width), color pattern and degree of flawlessness or lack of imperfections will affect the overall price on a per sq. ft. basis.
Quartz countertop cost ranges from about $75 to $125 per square foot installed, and engineered stone slabs are used.
| Granite | Quartz | |
| Low Cost: | $48 to $80 per s.f. | $72 to $94 per s.f. |
| Average Cost: | $70 to $104 per s.f. | $84 to $112 per s.f. |
| High Cost: | $100 to $135 per s.f. | $105-$125 per s.f. |
| Avg. Total Cost:
(64 sq. ft. of material) |
$5,568 or $84/s.f. | $6,272 or $96/s.f. |
Did you know? A decade ago, quartz was much more expensive than granite. With higher demand came an increase in production and with it, more cost-effective manufacturing process. That’s why you’ll find outrageous prices for quartz from many pricing sites. The days of $200+ per square foot quartz are gone, but many sites haven’t updated the information in years. 😉
Cost Factors
The cost range for quartz, also known as engineered stone, is narrower than costs for granite. This is because there are fewer variables in quartz. It is a manufactured material, so quality tends to be consistent, and there are no rare colors or types.
The costs above are divided into low, average and high. The more of these factors apply to your project, the higher your cost will be on the spectrum.
