How Much Does Water Heater Installation Cost? (2026)
Water Heater Installation costs $1,200–$4,500 in the US in 2026, with most jobs landing near $2,200. Removal of the old water heater and installation of a new tank or tankless unit with new water connections, a gas or electrical hookup, and a temperature and pressure relief valve. Includes venting and disposal.
Low, average and high
- Low end: $1,200 (simple job, basic materials)
- National average: $2,200
- High end: $4,500 (complex or premium)
What's included in water heater installation
Removal of the old water heater and installation of a new tank or tankless unit with new water connections, a gas or electrical hookup, and a temperature and pressure relief valve. Includes venting and disposal. Typical time on site: half a day to a full day.
What changes the price
- Tank versus tankless
- Tank capacity in gallons
- Gas or electric hookup
- Venting and code upgrades
- Old unit removal
Plumbing labor runs about $29 per hour nationally and is usually 40-60% of a water heater installation quote; the rest is materials, permits and disposal.
Water Heater Installation cost by state (2026)
| State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,078 | $1,976 | $4,041 |
| Alaska | $1,565 | $2,869 | $5,868 |
| Arizona | $1,214 | $2,226 | $4,554 |
| Arkansas | $1,051 | $1,927 | $3,942 |
| California | $1,490 | $2,732 | $5,589 |
| Colorado | $1,306 | $2,394 | $4,896 |
| Connecticut | $1,387 | $2,543 | $5,202 |
| Delaware | $1,246 | $2,284 | $4,671 |
| District of Columbia | $1,522 | $2,790 | $5,706 |
| Florida | $1,166 | $2,138 | $4,374 |
| Georgia | $1,145 | $2,099 | $4,293 |
| Hawaii | $1,675 | $3,071 | $6,282 |
| Idaho | $1,164 | $2,134 | $4,365 |
| Illinois | $1,318 | $2,416 | $4,941 |
| Indiana | $1,133 | $2,077 | $4,248 |
| Iowa | $1,114 | $2,042 | $4,176 |
| Kansas | $1,121 | $2,055 | $4,203 |
| Kentucky | $1,094 | $2,006 | $4,104 |
| Louisiana | $1,142 | $2,094 | $4,284 |
| Maine | $1,243 | $2,279 | $4,662 |
| Maryland | $1,349 | $2,473 | $5,058 |
| Massachusetts | $1,430 | $2,622 | $5,364 |
| Michigan | $1,195 | $2,191 | $4,482 |
| Minnesota | $1,262 | $2,314 | $4,734 |
| Mississippi | $1,022 | $1,874 | $3,834 |
| Missouri | $1,140 | $2,090 | $4,275 |
| Montana | $1,183 | $2,169 | $4,437 |
| Nebraska | $1,114 | $2,042 | $4,176 |
| Nevada | $1,238 | $2,270 | $4,644 |
| New Hampshire | $1,267 | $2,323 | $4,752 |
| New Jersey | $1,382 | $2,534 | $5,184 |
| New Mexico | $1,114 | $2,042 | $4,176 |
| New York | $1,450 | $2,658 | $5,436 |
| North Carolina | $1,159 | $2,125 | $4,347 |
| North Dakota | $1,195 | $2,191 | $4,482 |
| Ohio | $1,162 | $2,130 | $4,356 |
| Oklahoma | $1,104 | $2,024 | $4,140 |
| Oregon | $1,286 | $2,358 | $4,824 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,236 | $2,266 | $4,635 |
| Rhode Island | $1,327 | $2,433 | $4,977 |
| South Carolina | $1,138 | $2,086 | $4,266 |
| South Dakota | $1,114 | $2,042 | $4,176 |
| Tennessee | $1,133 | $2,077 | $4,248 |
| Texas | $1,166 | $2,138 | $4,374 |
| Utah | $1,200 | $2,200 | $4,500 |
| Vermont | $1,210 | $2,218 | $4,536 |
| Virginia | $1,241 | $2,275 | $4,653 |
| Washington | $1,349 | $2,473 | $5,058 |
| West Virginia | $1,082 | $1,984 | $4,059 |
| Wisconsin | $1,176 | $2,156 | $4,410 |
| Wyoming | $1,174 | $2,152 | $4,401 |
Water Heater Installation cost in major cities
- Water Heater Installation cost in Los Angeles, CA
- Water Heater Installation cost in Chicago, IL
- Water Heater Installation cost in New York City, NY
- Water Heater Installation cost in Dallas, TX
- Water Heater Installation cost in Washington DC, DC
- Water Heater Installation cost in Philadelphia, PA
- Water Heater Installation cost in Atlanta, GA
- Water Heater Installation cost in Miami, FL
- Water Heater Installation cost in Phoenix, AZ
- Water Heater Installation cost in Boston, MA
- Water Heater Installation cost in Detroit, MI
- Water Heater Installation cost in Seattle, WA
- Water Heater Installation cost in Minneapolis, MN
- Water Heater Installation cost in Denver, CO
- Water Heater Installation cost in St. Louis, MO
- Water Heater Installation cost in Baltimore, MD
- Water Heater Installation cost in Charlotte, NC
- Water Heater Installation cost in Portland, OR
- Water Heater Installation cost in Las Vegas, NV
- Water Heater Installation cost in Cincinnati, OH
- Water Heater Installation cost in Indianapolis, IN
- Water Heater Installation cost in Nashville, TN
- Water Heater Installation cost in Milwaukee, WI
- Water Heater Installation cost in Oklahoma City, OK
Common questions
How much does water heater installation cost in 2026?
Water Heater Installation costs $1,200–$4,500 nationally, with the average job at $2,200. Removal of the old water heater and installation of a new tank or tankless unit with new water connections, a gas or electrical hookup, and a temperature and pressure relief valve. Includes venting and disposal.
What makes water heater installation more expensive?
The main cost drivers are tank versus tankless, tank capacity in gallons, gas or electric hookup, venting and code upgrades. Labor runs about $29 per hour nationally and is usually 40-60% of the quote.
How long does water heater installation take?
A typical water heater installation job takes half a day to a full day, plus any permit and inspection time your city requires.
How do I get an accurate water heater 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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