Basic
$147 – $391 each
6 in. canless LED wafer light with a round white trim, fixed warm-white color, dimmable, wired from an existing circuit
How Much Does Recessed Lighting Cost in Chicago, Illinois?
Install one recessed (can or canless LED) ceiling light including fixture, wiring from an existing circuit and drywall cut, priced per light.
Recessed Lighting in Chicago, Illinois typically costs $172 to $460 each as of 2026. Prices reflect local labor and material rates. Use our calculator below for a detailed, ZIP-code-adjusted estimate.
Recessed Lighting in Chicago, Illinois
$172 – $460
eachPrices in Chicago are 19.0% higher than the national average for recessed lighting.
National average: $150 – $400 each
What you get at each price level
Standard
$172 – $460 each
4 in. canless LED wafer with a slim round trim, selectable color temperature, dimmable, wired from an existing circuit
Premium
$216 – $575 each
4 in. canless LED downlight with a deep regressed low-glare trim, high color rendering, selectable color, dimmable
Cost Breakdown in Chicago
| Component | Category | Price Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | material | $73 – $193 | each |
| Labor | labor | $68 – $182 | each |
| Supplies & Other | supplies | $19 – $51 | each |
| Equipment & Disposal | equipment | $13 – $34 | each |
Prices adjusted for Chicago local market conditions.
Recessed Lighting photo examples
Recessed ceiling lights glowing in a green-walled room with white blinds
Photo: mccun934 · CC BY 2.0 · Source
Find a pro to do thisBasement room with a row of recessed lights in a drop ceiling
Photo: NLT CONSTRUCTION · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source
Find a pro to do thisTwo recessed lights glowing in a kitchen ceiling
Photo: Studio Sarah Lou · CC BY 2.0 · Source
Find a pro to do thisRecessed lights in a bathroom soffit above shuttered windows
Photo: lesliepear · CC BY 2.0 · Source
Find a pro to do this
Design styles
See how recessed lighting looks in each style, with photos of real projects by working designers.
Chicago style: Greystone traditional and industrial loft
Chicago's housing stock sets the style: greystones and two-flats call for traditional millwork, while converted lofts in Bucktown and the West Loop call for exposed brick, steel and open plan. Prairie School detail and mid-century bungalows are the third reference.
Work by Chicago designers first, then the styles Chicago draws from.
Built from
Industrial living room
Photo: Studio Code · Profile
Industrial bedroom
Photo: Studio MAK · Profile
Contemporary interior
Photo: KADLEC Architecture & Design · Profile
Traditional living room
Photo: Emora Design Studio · Profile
Traditional interior
Photo: Jo Lyle & Co. · Profile
Traditional bathroom
Photo: Angela Rennie Design · Profile
Traditional bathroom
Photo: Jo Lyle & Co. · Profile
Traditional bathroom: Modern Glamour Bath
Photo: Kaelyn Schmidt Design
Traditional bathroom
Photo: Studio Catherine Rose · Profile
Cost Factors in Chicago, Illinois
What Affects Pricing
- Materials ($68.00-$180.00 per unit)
- Labor ($52.00-$140.00 per unit)
- Supplies & Other ($18.00-$48.00 per unit)
- Equipment & Disposal ($12.00-$32.00 per unit)
Local Price Adjustments
Material costs7.0% above avg
Labor costs30.0% above avg
Labor costs in Chicago run proportionally higher than materials, which may favor material-heavy solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- Recessed Lighting Installation Cost in 2026, Cans & Fans, cansandfans.com, retrieved Nov 2026
- Construction wages by metro and rural area, used for the labor adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- Regional price parities for goods, used for the materials adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024
Get Free Estimates in Chicago
Connect with local recessed lighting contractors in Chicago for personalized quotes based on your specific project.