How much does pool installation cost?
An inground pool costs $35,000 to $85,000 installed, averaging about $57,000. Vinyl liner pools start near $35,000, fiberglass runs $45,000 to $85,000 and gunite reaches $60,000 to $150,000.
National average
$57,000
Typical low
$35,000
Typical high
$85,000
Per square foot of pool
$50 – $150
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Estimated project cost
$4,320 – $13,500
Most homeowners pay around $8,910
Compare pool type
Cost by material
Installed pricing per square foot of pool.
| Option | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Above ground | $3,000 – $12,000 |
| Vinyl liner | $35,000 – $65,000 |
| Fiberglass | $45,000 – $85,000 |
| Gunite / concrete | $60,000 – $150,000 |
Total project cost, not just the pool
| Line item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Pool shell and install | $35,000 – $85,000 |
| Concrete or paver decking | $5,000 – $20,000 |
| Safety fencing | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| Heater | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| Automatic cover | $8,000 – $20,000 |
| Landscaping restoration | $3,000 – $15,000 |
| Permits and engineering | $500 – $3,000 |
Annual operating cost
| Expense | Per year |
|---|---|
| Chemicals | $300 – $800 |
| Electricity (pump) | $300 – $1,200 |
| Heating (if used) | $500 – $2,500 |
| Water and top-off | $100 – $400 |
| Professional service | $1,200 – $3,000 |
| Insurance increase | $50 – $300 |
Where the money goes
A typical project budget, broken down by line item.
- Excavation and shell40% · $22,800
- Labor22% · $12,540
- Decking and hardscape18% · $10,260
- Equipment and plumbing13% · $7,410
- Permits, fencing and landscaping7% · $3,990
Cost by region
Labor markets move the number more than any other single factor.
Northeast metro
$42,000 – $102,000
+20% vs. national average
West Coast metro
$42,700 – $103,700
+22% vs. national average
Mountain West
$36,750 – $89,250
+5% vs. national average
Midwest
$35,700 – $86,700
+2% vs. national average
South & Southeast
$33,250 – $80,750
-5% vs. national average
Rural nationwide
$32,200 – $78,200
-8% vs. national average
Common add-ons
Line items that show up on most quotes but rarely in the headline price.
Attached spa
Heater
Saltwater system
Automatic cover
Waterfall or fountain
Pool automation and lighting
Safety fence
DIY vs. hiring a pro
Hire a pro
$35,000 – $85,000
Do it yourself
$12,000 – $35,000
Above-ground pools and fiberglass owner-assist kits are realistic DIY. Inground excavation, plumbing, electrical bonding and structural shells require licensed trades and inspections in essentially every jurisdiction.
Ways to save
Practical levers that lower the bill without cutting quality.
- Choose a standard fiberglass shape over a custom gunite design — same swim, far less money.
- Phase the project: pool and minimum deck now, spa, cover and landscaping later.
- Build in fall or winter when pool crews discount to keep working.
- Do your own landscaping restoration after the crews leave.
- Get quotes on the complete project including deck, fence and equipment so bids are comparable.
Questions to ask your contractor
- 01Is this quote the full turnkey project or the shell only?
- 02What is included in decking square footage and material?
- 03Who pulls the permits and handles the safety-barrier code requirements?
- 04What equipment brands, and what are their separate warranties?
- 05What is the structural warranty on the shell, and is it transferable?
- 06What happens if you hit rock or groundwater — what is the unit price?
Frequently asked questions
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Get pool quotesPool Installation cost by city
Local labor rates, permits and climate change the number. Pick your city for prices near you.
Pool Installation cost in Los Angeles, CA
$43,400 – $105,400
Pool Installation cost in San Diego, CA
$41,300 – $100,300
Pool Installation cost in San Jose, CA
$48,300 – $117,300
Pool Installation cost in San Francisco, CA
$50,750 – $123,250
Pool Installation cost in Oakland, CA
$46,200 – $112,200
Pool Installation cost in Sacramento, CA
$37,800 – $91,800
Pool Installation cost in Fresno, CA
$34,300 – $83,300
Pool Installation cost in Long Beach, CA
$42,700 – $103,700
Pool Installation cost in Anaheim, CA
$42,000 – $102,000
Pool Installation cost in Santa Ana, CA
$41,650 – $101,150
Pool Installation cost in Irvine, CA
$44,100 – $107,100
Pool Installation cost in Riverside, CA
$37,100 – $90,100
Pool Installation cost in San Bernardino, CA
$36,050 – $87,550
Pool Installation cost in Bakersfield, CA
$33,950 – $82,450
Pool Installation cost in Stockton, CA
$35,700 – $86,700
Pool Installation cost in Modesto, CA
$35,000 – $85,000
Pool Installation cost in Chula Vista, CA
$40,250 – $97,750
Pool Installation cost in Fremont, CA
$47,250 – $114,750
Pool Installation cost in Pasadena, CA
$44,800 – $108,800
Pool Installation cost in Glendale, CA
$43,750 – $106,250
Pool Installation cost in Santa Clarita, CA
$40,600 – $98,600
Pool Installation cost in Torrance, CA
$43,050 – $104,550
Pool Installation cost in Oxnard, CA
$39,900 – $96,900
Pool Installation cost in San Mateo, CA
$49,000 – $119,000