Pricing Guides
Quartz vs. Granite Countertops Cost: Which Is More Expensive?
When comparing quartz vs. granite countertops, cost is often the deciding factor. Both are premium surfaces, but their price tags differ in ways that aren't immediately obvious — from the per-square-foot slab cost to long-term maintenance expenses. This guide gives you a straight cost comparison so you can budget accurately for your New Jersey kitchen renovation.
Price Per Square Foot: Quartz vs. Granite
In the New Jersey market, granite countertops typically range from $40 to $100 per square foot installed, while quartz ranges from $50 to $150+ per square foot installed. At first glance, granite appears cheaper — and entry-level granite slabs are indeed less expensive than entry-level quartz. But the comparison depends heavily on the quality tier.
Premium granite — exotic colors, rare patterns, imported slabs — can exceed $200 per square foot. Premium quartz like Cambria's Luxury series tops out around $150 per square foot. For comparable quality levels, quartz and granite are priced similarly. The difference is that quartz has a tighter, more predictable price range because it's engineered, while granite pricing varies wildly based on rarity and origin.
Installation Costs Compared
Installation labor is priced similarly for both materials — typically $30 to $50 per square foot for fabrication and install. Both require professional templating, cutting, and seaming. However, granite installation can sometimes cost slightly more because natural stone is more prone to breakage during handling, requiring more careful (and time-consuming) fabrication.
Quartz is engineered for consistency, which makes fabrication more predictable.Cambria quartz slabs are manufactured to uniform thickness and density, reducing waste and labor time. This reliability is part of why quartz has become the preferred material for fabrication shops across New Jersey — it's simply more efficient to work with.
Long-Term Maintenance Costs
Here's where quartz pulls ahead in total cost of ownership. Granite must be sealed every 6 to 12 months — a professional sealing service costs $150 to $300 per visit in NJ. Over a 10-year period, that's $1,500 to $3,000 in sealing costs alone. Quartz is non-porous and never requires sealing, ever.
Granite is also more susceptible to staining, etching, and bacterial growth if the seal wears down. Repairing a stained or etched granite surface can cost $200 to $500 per incident. Quartz resists stains, bacteria, and etching by design — so your long-term repair and maintenance costs are effectively zero. When you factor in 10+ years of ownership, quartz is often the less expensive choice despite a higher upfront cost.
Which Gives You More for Your Money?
If your only priority is the lowest possible upfront cost, entry-level granite wins. You can find granite slabs at $40-$50 per square foot installed. But that price point means thinner slabs, simpler designs, and a surface that will need ongoing maintenance.
For most New Jersey homeowners, quartz delivers better overall value. The upfront cost is slightly higher, but you get a non-porous surface that never needs sealing, resists stains and bacteria, comes with a lifetime warranty (Cambria), and consistently ranks as the #1 countertop material in buyer preference surveys. When you factor in maintenance savings and resale appeal, quartz is the smarter long-term investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your questions answered.
Is quartz or granite more expensive?
Entry-level granite is cheaper (starting around $40/sq ft), but at comparable quality levels, quartz and granite are similarly priced ($80-$150/sq ft). When you factor in granite's ongoing sealing costs ($150-$300/year), quartz is often less expensive over the life of the countertop.
Why does granite need sealing but quartz doesn't?
Granite is a natural porous stone — liquids can penetrate the surface, causing stains and bacterial growth. Sealing fills those pores. Quartz is engineered with resin binders that make it non-porous, so there are no pores to seal and no way for liquids to penetrate.
Which is cheaper to maintain, quartz or granite?
Quartz is significantly cheaper to maintain. Granite requires professional sealing every 6-12 months ($150-$300 per visit) and is more prone to staining. Quartz never needs sealing and resists stains, bacteria, and etching by design — so maintenance costs are effectively zero.
Ready to start your Cambria quartz project?
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