How Much Does AC Installation Cost? (2026)
AC Installation costs $4,000–$12,000 in the US in 2026, with most jobs landing near $7,000. Installation of a new central air conditioner with matched outdoor condenser and indoor evaporator coil, refrigerant charge, and thermostat. Includes electrical connection and a startup test.
Low, average and high
- Low end: $4,000 (simple job, basic materials)
- National average: $7,000
- High end: $12,000 (complex or premium)
What's included in ac installation
Installation of a new central air conditioner with matched outdoor condenser and indoor evaporator coil, refrigerant charge, and thermostat. Includes electrical connection and a startup test. Typical time on site: 1 to 2 days.
What changes the price
- Cooling capacity in tons
- SEER efficiency rating
- Coil and line set condition
- Electrical and pad work
- Removal of old unit
HVAC labor runs about $28 per hour nationally and is usually 40-60% of a ac installation quote; the rest is materials, permits and disposal.
AC Installation cost by state (2026)
| State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $3,592 | $6,286 | $10,776 |
| Alaska | $5,216 | $9,128 | $15,648 |
| Arizona | $4,048 | $7,084 | $12,144 |
| Arkansas | $3,504 | $6,132 | $10,512 |
| California | $4,968 | $8,694 | $14,904 |
| Colorado | $4,352 | $7,616 | $13,056 |
| Connecticut | $4,624 | $8,092 | $13,872 |
| Delaware | $4,152 | $7,266 | $12,456 |
| District of Columbia | $5,072 | $8,876 | $15,216 |
| Florida | $3,888 | $6,804 | $11,664 |
| Georgia | $3,816 | $6,678 | $11,448 |
| Hawaii | $5,584 | $9,772 | $16,752 |
| Idaho | $3,880 | $6,790 | $11,640 |
| Illinois | $4,392 | $7,686 | $13,176 |
| Indiana | $3,776 | $6,608 | $11,328 |
| Iowa | $3,712 | $6,496 | $11,136 |
| Kansas | $3,736 | $6,538 | $11,208 |
| Kentucky | $3,648 | $6,384 | $10,944 |
| Louisiana | $3,808 | $6,664 | $11,424 |
| Maine | $4,144 | $7,252 | $12,432 |
| Maryland | $4,496 | $7,868 | $13,488 |
| Massachusetts | $4,768 | $8,344 | $14,304 |
| Michigan | $3,984 | $6,972 | $11,952 |
| Minnesota | $4,208 | $7,364 | $12,624 |
| Mississippi | $3,408 | $5,964 | $10,224 |
| Missouri | $3,800 | $6,650 | $11,400 |
| Montana | $3,944 | $6,902 | $11,832 |
| Nebraska | $3,712 | $6,496 | $11,136 |
| Nevada | $4,128 | $7,224 | $12,384 |
| New Hampshire | $4,224 | $7,392 | $12,672 |
| New Jersey | $4,608 | $8,064 | $13,824 |
| New Mexico | $3,712 | $6,496 | $11,136 |
| New York | $4,832 | $8,456 | $14,496 |
| North Carolina | $3,864 | $6,762 | $11,592 |
| North Dakota | $3,984 | $6,972 | $11,952 |
| Ohio | $3,872 | $6,776 | $11,616 |
| Oklahoma | $3,680 | $6,440 | $11,040 |
| Oregon | $4,288 | $7,504 | $12,864 |
| Pennsylvania | $4,120 | $7,210 | $12,360 |
| Rhode Island | $4,424 | $7,742 | $13,272 |
| South Carolina | $3,792 | $6,636 | $11,376 |
| South Dakota | $3,712 | $6,496 | $11,136 |
| Tennessee | $3,776 | $6,608 | $11,328 |
| Texas | $3,888 | $6,804 | $11,664 |
| Utah | $4,000 | $7,000 | $12,000 |
| Vermont | $4,032 | $7,056 | $12,096 |
| Virginia | $4,136 | $7,238 | $12,408 |
| Washington | $4,496 | $7,868 | $13,488 |
| West Virginia | $3,608 | $6,314 | $10,824 |
| Wisconsin | $3,920 | $6,860 | $11,760 |
| Wyoming | $3,912 | $6,846 | $11,736 |
AC Installation cost in major cities
- AC Installation cost in Los Angeles, CA
- AC Installation cost in Chicago, IL
- AC Installation cost in New York City, NY
- AC Installation cost in Dallas, TX
- AC Installation cost in Washington DC, DC
- AC Installation cost in Philadelphia, PA
- AC Installation cost in Atlanta, GA
- AC Installation cost in Miami, FL
- AC Installation cost in Phoenix, AZ
- AC Installation cost in Boston, MA
- AC Installation cost in Detroit, MI
- AC Installation cost in Seattle, WA
- AC Installation cost in Minneapolis, MN
- AC Installation cost in Denver, CO
- AC Installation cost in St. Louis, MO
- AC Installation cost in Baltimore, MD
- AC Installation cost in Charlotte, NC
- AC Installation cost in Portland, OR
- AC Installation cost in Las Vegas, NV
- AC Installation cost in Cincinnati, OH
- AC Installation cost in Indianapolis, IN
- AC Installation cost in Nashville, TN
- AC Installation cost in Milwaukee, WI
- AC Installation cost in Oklahoma City, OK
Common questions
How much does ac installation cost in 2026?
AC Installation costs $4,000–$12,000 nationally, with the average job at $7,000. Installation of a new central air conditioner with matched outdoor condenser and indoor evaporator coil, refrigerant charge, and thermostat. Includes electrical connection and a startup test.
What makes ac installation more expensive?
The main cost drivers are cooling capacity in tons, seer efficiency rating, coil and line set condition, electrical and pad work. Labor runs about $28 per hour nationally and is usually 40-60% of the quote.
How long does ac installation take?
A typical ac installation job takes 1 to 2 days, plus any permit and inspection time your city requires.
How do I get an accurate ac installation quote?
Get at least three written quotes from local contractors that list the scope, materials, permit handling and warranty. Prices vary by state and city, so use the state table and city pages here to sanity-check what you are quoted.
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