Granite vs. Quartz Countertops: Complete Cost Comparison (2026 Prices)

Granite or quartz? It’s the single most common question homeowners ask when shopping for new countertops. Both are excellent materials. Both look beautiful. Both last for decades. But they’re different in ways that actually matter for your kitchen and your wallet.

Here’s the straight comparison with real 2026 pricing — no sales pitch, just the information you need to make a confident decision.

2026 Price Comparison: Granite vs. Quartz

	Granite	Quartz
Material cost per sq ft	$40 – $100	$50 – $120
Fabrication & installation per sq ft	$20 – $35	$20 – $35
Total installed cost per sq ft	$60 – $135	$70 – $155
Average 30 sq ft kitchen	$1,800 – $4,050	$2,100 – $4,650
Average 50 sq ft kitchen	$3,000 – $6,750	$3,500 – $7,750

The bottom line on price: Granite is typically 10-20% less expensive than quartz at comparable quality levels. The biggest variable isn’t the material itself — it’s the color and pattern you choose. Level 1 (builder-grade) granite starts around $40/sq ft installed, while exotic or premium quartz can push $155/sq ft or more.

Full Comparison: Granite vs. Quartz

Durability

Granite: Extremely hard natural stone. Resistant to heat — you can set a hot pan directly on granite without damage (though we still recommend trivets). It can chip or crack if you drop something heavy on an edge, but this is rare with normal use.

Quartz: Engineered stone made of ~93% crushed quartz mixed with resin binders. Very hard and resistant to impact. However, quartz is NOT heat-resistant — placing a hot pan directly on quartz can scorch or discolor the resin. Always use trivets.

Winner: Tie. Granite handles heat better. Quartz handles impact slightly better.

Maintenance

Granite: Requires sealing once a year (some colors every 2-3 years). The sealing process takes about 15 minutes and costs $10-15 for a bottle of sealer. If you skip sealing, granite can absorb stains — especially lighter colors exposed to wine, oil, or coffee.

Quartz: Zero sealing required, ever. The resin binders make quartz completely non-porous. Wipe it down with soap and water and you’re done.

Winner: Quartz. No-maintenance wins for most homeowners.

Appearance

Granite: Every slab is unique — literally one of a kind. Natural veining, mineral deposits, and color variations give granite a depth that’s impossible to replicate. You pick your actual slab at the fabricator’s yard, so what you see is what you get.

Quartz: Engineered for consistency. If you want a uniform look — especially a pure white, concrete gray, or marble-look surface — quartz delivers that better than natural stone. Brands like Cambria, Caesarstone, and Silestone offer hundreds of patterns, including very convincing marble lookalikes.

Winner: Depends on your preference. Want natural uniqueness? Granite. Want consistent, predictable patterns? Quartz.

Stain Resistance

Granite: Resistant when properly sealed, but not stain-proof. Dark granites (Absolute Black, Uba Tuba) are nearly bulletproof. Lighter colors (Kashmir White, Colonial White) are more vulnerable to staining if the sealant wears off.

Quartz: Non-porous and highly stain-resistant right out of the box. Wine, coffee, and oil wipe right off. However, certain chemicals (harsh cleaners, permanent markers) can damage the resin surface.

Winner: Quartz, especially for lighter colors.

Resale Value

Granite: Still considered a premium material by home buyers. Granite countertops are listed as a selling point in real estate listings nationwide.

Quartz: Equally valued by buyers, and increasingly preferred in modern and contemporary kitchens. Neither material will hurt your resale value.

Winner: Tie. Both are considered premium upgrades.

Environmental Impact

Granite: Quarried from the earth (Brazil, India, Italy are major sources). Transportation adds to the carbon footprint, but it’s a natural material with no synthetic chemicals.

Quartz: Manufactured in factories using natural quartz crystals plus petroleum-based resins. Some brands are working toward more sustainable manufacturing, but it’s still an engineered product.

Winner: Granite, slightly, for being a purely natural material.

Quick Decision Guide

Choose granite if:

• You want a one-of-a-kind, natural look
• You regularly use hot pans and want to set them down without worry
• You prefer a slightly lower price point
• You don’t mind spending 15 minutes once a year on sealing
• You’re going with a darker color (less maintenance)

Choose quartz if:

• You want zero maintenance — no sealing, no special care
• You prefer a consistent, uniform pattern (especially whites and grays)
• You want a marble look without marble’s fragility
• You have young kids and want maximum stain resistance
• Your kitchen style is modern, transitional, or farmhouse

How to Save Money on Either Material

• Ask about remnants. Leftover pieces from larger jobs are sold at 30-50% discounts. Perfect for smaller kitchens, bathrooms, and islands.
• Choose Level 1 or Level 2 colors. Builder-grade colors cost significantly less than exotic or premium patterns — and many of them look great.
• Keep your existing layout. Changing the footprint means new plumbing, new cabinetry, and higher costs. Same layout, new surface = biggest bang for your buck.
• Get at least 3 quotes. Pricing varies dramatically between fabricators. Don’t just go with the first number you get.
• Work with a local fabricator. Big box stores mark up the material and subcontract the work anyway. Going direct to a local fabricator usually saves 15-25%.

The Honest Recommendation

Both granite and quartz are excellent choices that will last 20-30+ years. You genuinely can’t go wrong with either one. The “best” material is the one that fits your lifestyle, your kitchen design, and your budget.

If you’re still on the fence, go visit a countertop showroom and see both materials in person. Photos don’t do justice to how granite and quartz actually look and feel. Touch them, compare slabs side by side, and trust your gut.

---

Empire Custom Countertops serves Buffalo, Williamsville, Amherst, Cheektowaga, Lancaster, Orchard Park, and all of Western New York. Family-owned, locally operated.