Is Quartz Cheaper Than Granite? A Buyer’s Perspective (And Why Your Situation Changes the Answer)

There’s no simple answer to this

If you've been searching “msi quartz” and “msi countertops” alongside the question “is quartz cheaper than granite?”, you’ve probably gotten conflicting advice. Some say quartz is always more expensive. Others say granite is the budget option. And a few will tell you they’re roughly the same.

They’re all right—depending on your situation. I’m an office administrator who manages purchasing for a mid-sized company. We don’t build houses, but we have managed a couple of large-scale renovation projects for our offices and break rooms. I’ve spent more hours than I’d like comparing MSI stone products. Here’s what I’ve learned: the real answer depends on what you’re buying, where you’re putting it, and how you define “cheaper.”

Let’s break it down by three common scenarios. Find yours, and you’ll get a clearer answer.

Scenario 1: You’re Buying for a Standard Kitchen Renovation

This is the most common scenario. You’re remodeling a kitchen—maybe a showroom kitchen, a high-end break room, or a residential client’s home—and you need roughly 30-40 square feet of countertop.

In this scenario, mid-range granite is often cheaper than entry-level quartz—but not by as much as you might think. For MSI products specifically, I’ve seen pricing like:

• MSI’s entry-level quartz (like the “Classico” or “Q” series) starts around $55–75 per square foot installed.
• MSI’s mid-range granite (like “Azul Platino” or “Verde Peacock”) might run $45–65 per square foot installed.

Notice I said “mid-range granite.” The conventional wisdom says granite is always cheaper, but that’s not true anymore. What was best practice in 2020 may not apply in 2025. The price gap has narrowed significantly. If you’re comparing premium, exotic granite like “Blue Pearl” or “Labradorite,” it can easily exceed $100 per square foot—more than most quartz lines.

The fundamentals haven’t changed, but the execution has transformed. Five years ago, quartz was clearly premium pricing. Today, with more manufacturing and competition, the lines are blurred.

Takeaway for this scenario: If you’re on a tight budget, go with a standard MSI granite slab. If you want consistent color, less maintenance, and a mid-range price, MSI’s entry-level quartz is a strong contender.—and it might be closer in price than you think.

Scenario 2: You’re Specifying for a Large Commercial Project

Here’s where my role as an administrator really comes into play. When we did our office renovation, we were ordering countertops for three break rooms, a reception desk, and seven restrooms. That’s a lot of square footage.

For large commercial projects, the cost calculus changes dramatically. You’re not just paying for the material—you’re paying for consistency, durability, and labor efficiency.

In this scenario, quartz can actually be cheaper than granite. Here’s why:

• Fabrication efficiency: Quartz slabs are more uniform. Fabricators can cut them faster with less waste. Granite, being natural, often has hidden veins or fissures that require careful handling.
• Sealing costs: Granite needs sealing—and in a commercial setting, it needs to be sealed regularly. That’s a recurring labor cost. Quartz doesn’t.
• Bulk pricing: For large orders, MSI tends to offer better per-square-foot pricing on quartz, especially for popular patterns.

I remember our 2024 vendor consolidation project. We were comparing quotes from three different fabricators for a mix of MSI quartz and granite. The initial material cost for granite was about 10% lower per square foot. But when we factored in fabrication time, sealing, and the need for a backup slab in case of breakage during installation, the quartz ended up being about 8% cheaper overall.

Takeaway for this scenario: Don’t compare material cost alone. Look at total project cost. For large commercial projects, quartz often wins on total cost of ownership. (Should mention: we also factored in a 3-day buffer on delivery, which didn’t affect cost but did inform our timeline.)

Scenario 3: You’re Comparing a Specific Product vs. a Specific Product

This is the most nuanced scenario. Maybe you’ve narrowed it down to two specific MSI slabs. You’re comparing “MSI Q Quartz Natural White” against “MSI Granite Santa Cecilia.”

At the product level, price differences are often negligible—maybe $5–15 per square foot. But the real difference is maintenance and longevity.

Granite is porous. It can stain if something acidic (wine, juice, coffee) is left on it. It needs to be sealed every 6–12 months. If you’re in a high-traffic area, that sealing schedule can be a real headache. I’ve had to explain to our cleaning team three times that they can’t use bleach-based cleaners on granite.

Quartz is non-porous. It’s more resistant to staining and doesn’t need sealing. But it can be damaged by high heat (you can’t put hot pans directly on it) and some cleaners can dull the finish. Everything I’d read said quartz was completely maintenance-free. In practice, while it’s easier than granite, it’s not zero-maintenance.

Meanwhile, you might also be looking at other products for your office, like ZAGG screen protectors for company phones or solenoid valves for a facility upgrade. I’m not a facilities engineer, so I can’t speak to the solenoid valve specs. What I can tell you from a procurement perspective is that the same logic applies: consider total cost, not just the sticker price.

Takeaway for this scenario: If you’re split between two MSI products, quartz is usually the better bet for low-maintenance. Granite is for those who want unique, natural patterns and don’t mind a little extra care. Oh, and if you’re also looking at a MSI Claw 8 AI+ or a ZAGG screen protector, that’s a completely different purchasing decision—unrelated to countertops, but the principle of evaluating your needs first is the same.

How to Know Which Scenario You’re In

If you’re still unsure, here’s a simple guide:

• You’re in Scenario 1 if: You’re buying for a single kitchen (residential or small business) and your budget is under $5,000. Go with standard granite if you want lower material cost. Go with quartz if you value consistency and lower maintenance.
• You’re in Scenario 2 if: You’re buying for multiple rooms or a large space (office, hotel, restaurant). Go with quartz. The total cost of ownership will likely be lower.
• You’re in Scenario 3 if: You’ve already narrowed it down to two products. Go with quartz if you want easy cleaning and don’t put hot pans on it. Go with granite if you love natural variation and don’t mind a little maintenance.

This worked for us, but our situation was a mid-size company with predictable procurement needs. Your mileage may vary if you’re a residential homeowner with a passion for cooking or a large developer with a dedicated facilities team. The calculus might be different. Don’t hold me to this, but I’d recommend visiting your local MSI showroom to see the slabs in person. That’s the only way to be sure.