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An inground pool is the ultimate backyard upgrade — and one of the biggest outdoor projects you can take on. It costs $45,000 to $90,000 in 2026, averaging around $66,000, or about $80–$250 per square foot, with the pool type and the extras driving the spread.
What you’re paying for
The pool shell and its installation are the headline, but a finished, usable pool includes excavation and site work, decking and coping, electrical and plumbing for the pump and filter, a code-required safety fence, and permits. The shell alone is often only 60–70% of the true all-in cost.
Cost by type
The construction type is the biggest single decision. The table below shows typical installed pricing for the three main pool types.
Vinyl vs. fiberglass vs. concrete
Vinyl-liner pools are cheapest to install but the liner needs replacing every 7–12 years. Fiberglass pools arrive as a pre-formed shell, install in weeks, and resist algae for low maintenance — a popular middle ground. Concrete/gunite pools are built in place, fully customizable in shape and finish, and the most durable, but they cost the most and take the longest to build and maintain.
Budget beyond the build
Two things blindside first-time pool owners. First, the extras: decking, fencing, heating, lighting, and landscaping can add $10,000–$40,000 to the shell price. Second, the ongoing cost: chemicals, electricity, water, and maintenance run $3,000–$6,000+ a year. A pool is a lifestyle purchase as much as a construction project — budget for both the build and the years after.
How to save on a pool
- Choose vinyl or fiberglass over custom concrete.
- Keep the shape and size reasonable — every extra foot adds excavation, water, and chemicals.
- Phase the extras (decking, water features) over time if needed.
- Get multiple bids and confirm what’s included — “pool only” quotes hide the true cost.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pool shell & installation | $25,000 – $90,000 | – |
| Excavation & site work | $1,000 – $5,000 | – |
| Decking & coping | $3,000 – $15,000 | – |
| Electrical, plumbing & pump | $2,000 – $10,000 | – |
| Safety fence & permits | $1,500 – $6,000 | When a pool project needs a permit on Permit Notebook, our sister site |
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl liner | $25,000 – $65,000 | Lowest upfront; liner replaced periodically |
| Fiberglass | $45,000 – $100,000 | Fast install, low maintenance |
| Concrete / gunite | $50,000 – $120,000+ | Fully custom; priciest |
What affects the price
- Pool type Vinyl is cheapest, fiberglass mid-range, and concrete/gunite the most expensive and customizable.
- Size & depth Bigger and deeper pools use more material, excavation, water, and chemicals.
- Site conditions Rocky soil, slopes, high water tables, and tight access raise excavation costs.
- Decking, fencing & features Patios, safety fencing, lighting, heaters, and water features add substantially.
- Region & permits Labor, permitting, and required safety barriers vary widely by location.
Inground pool cost by state
Where you live can change the price as much as the options you pick. Labor is a big part of the bill, and construction workers are paid more in some states than others. A typical inground pool job costs about $52,700 to $105,300 in Hawaii (17% above the U.S. average). In Arkansas, it costs about $38,300 to $76,500 (15% below the U.S. average).
See the typical cost in all 50 states and D.C.
| State | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $39,200 – $78,300 |
| Alaska | $51,700 – $103,500 |
| Arizona | $42,800 – $85,500 |
| Arkansas | $38,300 – $76,500 |
| California | $50,400 – $100,800 |
| Colorado | $45,000 – $90,000 |
| Connecticut | $48,200 – $96,300 |
| Delaware | $44,100 – $88,200 |
| District of Columbia | $48,600 – $97,200 |
| Florida | $41,000 – $81,900 |
| Georgia | $41,400 – $82,800 |
| Hawaii | $52,700 – $105,300 |
| Idaho | $42,300 – $84,600 |
| Illinois | $51,700 – $103,500 |
| Indiana | $45,500 – $90,900 |
| Iowa | $43,700 – $87,300 |
| Kansas | $42,800 – $85,500 |
| Kentucky | $41,900 – $83,700 |
| Louisiana | $40,500 – $81,000 |
| Maine | $44,100 – $88,200 |
| Maryland | $45,000 – $90,000 |
| Massachusetts | $51,700 – $103,500 |
| Michigan | $45,000 – $90,000 |
| Minnesota | $49,100 – $98,100 |
| Mississippi | $39,200 – $78,300 |
| Missouri | $45,900 – $91,800 |
| Montana | $44,100 – $88,200 |
| Nebraska | $42,300 – $84,600 |
| Nevada | $46,400 – $92,700 |
| New Hampshire | $44,600 – $89,100 |
| New Jersey | $51,300 – $102,600 |
| New Mexico | $41,400 – $82,800 |
| New York | $49,500 – $99,000 |
| North Carolina | $40,500 – $81,000 |
| North Dakota | $45,500 – $90,900 |
| Ohio | $45,000 – $90,000 |
| Oklahoma | $41,000 – $81,900 |
| Oregon | $49,500 – $99,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,500 – $90,900 |
| Rhode Island | $46,800 – $93,600 |
| South Carolina | $41,000 – $81,900 |
| South Dakota | $40,500 – $81,000 |
| Tennessee | $41,400 – $82,800 |
| Texas | $41,000 – $81,900 |
| Utah | $42,300 – $84,600 |
| Vermont | $43,700 – $87,300 |
| Virginia | $42,800 – $85,500 |
| Washington | $52,200 – $104,400 |
| West Virginia | $42,800 – $85,500 |
| Wisconsin | $46,800 – $93,600 |
| Wyoming | $44,600 – $89,100 |
These are numbers to plan with, not quotes. Each one is this guide's U.S. range, adjusted for what construction workers earn in that state. See every state cost guide or how we estimate.
Common questions
- How much does an inground pool cost on average?
- Nationally, inground pools average around $66,000, with most between $45,000 and $90,000. Cost per square foot runs $80–$250 depending on type and features.
- What's the cheapest type of inground pool?
- Vinyl-liner pools are the most affordable to install ($25,000–$65,000), though the liner needs replacing every 7–12 years. Fiberglass costs more upfront but is low-maintenance.
- Fiberglass vs. concrete vs. vinyl — which is best?
- Vinyl is cheapest upfront; fiberglass installs fast and resists algae with low upkeep; concrete/gunite is fully customizable and most durable but costs the most and takes longest to build.
- What are the ongoing costs of a pool?
- Plan for $3,000–$6,000+ a year in chemicals, electricity, water, and maintenance, plus periodic repairs and (for vinyl) liner replacement.
- Does a pool add value to a home?
- It depends on climate and market. In warm regions a pool can add value and desirability; in cooler markets it may not recoup its cost and can narrow the buyer pool. Build for your own enjoyment, not purely resale.
- How long does it take to build an inground pool?
- Fiberglass can be installed in 3–6 weeks; vinyl in 4–8 weeks; concrete/gunite often takes 8–16 weeks due to curing and custom finishing, plus permitting time.
- Don't forget the extras
- The pool shell is only part of the budget. Decking, safety fencing (required by code in most areas), electrical, heating, and landscaping can add $10,000–$40,000.
How we estimate: These are typical U.S. prices for materials and for hiring a pro to install them. We checked them against the 2026 sources listed below (see how we get our numbers). Your price depends on where you live, the size of the job and the materials you pick. Get two or three written bids before you choose a contractor.
Sources
We checked the prices on this page against 2026 numbers from these sources: