Cost engine
How much does water heater replacement cost?
National price ranges for water heater replacement, the unit pricing contractors quote from, and what the same job costs across local markets.
Model reviewed August 2026
Water Heater Replacement cost
$1,200 – $5,400
Most homeowners pay around $2,150 for water heater replacement, or $1,200–$5,400 per installed unit. Permit fees add $70–$220.
Estimate your job
Run your own numbers before scrolling — the same engine behind the ranges below.
Installed cost estimate
$1,632 – $2,400
- 10-year cost of ownershipPurchase plus energy
- $7,120
- Permit + code upgrades
- $470
Estimates only. Local pricing, site conditions and code requirements change the real number.
What homeowners reported paying
Invoice amounts submitted by homeowners nationwide, shown beside the model.
Price breakdown
| Budget scope | $1,200 |
|---|---|
| Typical project | $2,150 |
| Premium / complex | $5,400 |
| per installed unit | $1,200 – $5,400 |
| Permit fees | $70 – $220 |
| Timeline | 2-5 hours of work, under 2 weeks including permit and inspection |
What drives the price
- Tank versus tankless (tankless usually needs gas or electrical upgrades)
- Capacity in gallons and recovery rate
- Garage, attic or interior closet location
- Code upgrades: pan, drain line, expansion tank, seismic or hurricane strapping
- Removal and disposal of the old unit
Cost by state
The same scope priced through each state's labor, material and code load.
Most expensive states
Least expensive states
Water Heater Replacement runs about 106% more in Hawaii than in Mississippi for an identical scope — almost entirely a labor and code-load difference.
State benchmark table
Low, typical and high water heater replacement pricing in every state, from the same model as the ranges above.
| State | Low | Typical | High | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $2,100 | $3,700 | $9,300 | +73% |
| California | $1,700 | $3,100 | $7,800 | +45% |
| Alaska | $1,700 | $3,000 | $7,500 | +40% |
| New York | $1,700 | $3,000 | $7,400 | +38% |
| Massachusetts | $1,600 | $2,900 | $7,200 | +34% |
| District of Columbia | $1,600 | $2,800 | $7,100 | +32% |
| New Jersey | $1,600 | $2,800 | $7,000 | +30% |
| Connecticut | $1,500 | $2,700 | $6,800 | +26% |
| Oregon | $1,400 | $2,600 | $6,500 | +20% |
| Rhode Island | $1,500 | $2,600 | $6,600 | +23% |
| Washington | $1,500 | $2,600 | $6,600 | +22% |
| Illinois | $1,400 | $2,500 | $6,200 | +14% |
| Maryland | $1,400 | $2,500 | $6,300 | +17% |
| Colorado | $1,300 | $2,400 | $6,000 | +11% |
| Florida | $1,300 | $2,400 | $5,900 | +10% |
| New Hampshire | $1,300 | $2,400 | $6,000 | +12% |
| Delaware | $1,300 | $2,300 | $5,800 | +7% |
| Maine | $1,300 | $2,300 | $5,800 | +7% |
| Minnesota | $1,300 | $2,300 | $5,800 | +7% |
| Nevada | $1,300 | $2,300 | $5,900 | +9% |
| Pennsylvania | $1,300 | $2,300 | $5,800 | +8% |
| Vermont | $1,300 | $2,300 | $5,900 | +9% |
| Virginia | $1,300 | $2,300 | $5,700 | +6% |
| Arizona | $1,200 | $2,200 | $5,500 | +2% |
| Montana | $1,200 | $2,200 | $5,500 | +1% |
| Idaho | $1,200 | $2,100 | $5,200 | -3% |
| Louisiana | $1,200 | $2,100 | $5,200 | -3% |
| Michigan | $1,200 | $2,100 | $5,300 | -2% |
| North Dakota | $1,200 | $2,100 | $5,300 | -2% |
| Texas | $1,200 | $2,100 | $5,200 | -3% |
| Utah | $1,200 | $2,100 | $5,300 | -2% |
| Wisconsin | $1,200 | $2,100 | $5,400 | 0% |
| Wyoming | $1,200 | $2,100 | $5,300 | -2% |
| Georgia | $1,100 | $2,000 | $5,100 | -5% |
| Indiana | $1,100 | $2,000 | $5,000 | -8% |
| New Mexico | $1,100 | $2,000 | $5,100 | -5% |
| North Carolina | $1,100 | $2,000 | $5,100 | -6% |
| Ohio | $1,100 | $2,000 | $5,100 | -6% |
| South Carolina | $1,100 | $2,000 | $5,000 | -7% |
| Alabama | $1,100 | $1,900 | $4,900 | -10% |
| Arkansas | $1,000 | $1,900 | $4,700 | -13% |
| Iowa | $1,100 | $1,900 | $4,900 | -10% |
| Kansas | $1,100 | $1,900 | $4,700 | -12% |
| Kentucky | $1,100 | $1,900 | $4,800 | -11% |
| Missouri | $1,100 | $1,900 | $4,900 | -10% |
| Nebraska | $1,100 | $1,900 | $4,800 | -11% |
| Oklahoma | $1,000 | $1,900 | $4,700 | -13% |
| South Dakota | $1,100 | $1,900 | $4,800 | -10% |
| Tennessee | $1,100 | $1,900 | $4,900 | -10% |
| West Virginia | $1,100 | $1,900 | $4,700 | -12% |
| Mississippi | $1,000 | $1,800 | $4,600 | -15% |
Cost by city
Same scope, adjusted for local labor, material and permit pricing. Each city also has a permit page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace my own water heater?
A homeowner can pull an owner-builder permit and replace a water heater in a home they own and occupy. Electrical and gas connections must still pass inspection.
Do I need a permit for water heater replacement?
In most jurisdictions this work is permitted and inspected. Requirements are set locally, so confirm the current application and inspection checklist with your building department before work starts.
How long does water heater replacement take?
2-5 hours of work, under 2 weeks including permit and inspection. Permit review and inspection scheduling are usually the largest source of variation.
What changes the price the most?
The largest cost drivers are tank versus tankless (tankless usually needs gas or electrical upgrades); capacity in gallons and recovery rate; garage, attic or interior closet location.
Sources
Sources & verification
Model vintage August 2026. The links above are the issuing agencies' own pages — we publish them so you can confirm the current rule yourself, not as evidence that each fact on this page was re-checked with them today. Cost figures are modeled estimates based on national baselines adjusted for local labor and material pricing, not quotes. Permit rules change; confirm with the building department before starting work.