Key takeaways
- National range: $882–$1,826 per installed unit, about $1,348 on average.
- Cheapest states: Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama. Most expensive: Hawaii, California and Alaska.
- Biggest price driver: Type — tank, tankless, heat pump or solar.
- Best way to save: Replace before the tank fails to avoid water damage costs.
How much does water heater replacement cost in 2026?
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tank water heater (gas or electric) | $600–$2,500 | Installed |
| Tankless water heater | $1,400–$3,900 | Installed |
| Hybrid heat pump water heater | $1,200–$3,500 | Installed |
| Solar water heater | $1,700–$5,500 | Installed |
| Labor, tank-for-tank swap | $150–$450 | Tankless swap $600–$1,900 |
| Tank-to-tankless conversion labor | $150–$2,500 | About twice as long as a swap |
| Permit | $25–$300 | Plus $50–$300 for natural gas work |
| Old unit haul-away | $100–$500 | |
| Expansion tank | $90–$350 | |
| New gas line | $260–$820 | Electric tankless may need a new circuit or subpanel ($500–$1,000) |
How we calculate costs
National ranges come from published cost surveys (cited below). Local estimates apply an approximate state cost index. Read our methodology.
Water Heater Replacement Cost questions, answered
- What is the cost of tank water heater (gas or electric)? The typical cost of tank water heater (gas or electric) is $600–$2,500. Installed.
- What is the cost of tankless water heater? The typical cost of tankless water heater is $1,400–$3,900. Installed.
- What is the cost of hybrid heat pump water heater? The typical cost of hybrid heat pump water heater is $1,200–$3,500. Installed.
- What is the cost of solar water heater? The typical cost of solar water heater is $1,700–$5,500. Installed.
- What is the cost of labor, tank-for-tank swap? The typical cost of labor, tank-for-tank swap is $150–$450. Tankless swap $600–$1,900.
- What is the cost of tank-to-tankless conversion labor? The typical cost of tank-to-tankless conversion labor is $150–$2,500. About twice as long as a swap.
- What is the cost of permit? The typical cost of permit is $25–$300. Plus $50–$300 for natural gas work.
- What is the cost of old unit haul-away? The typical cost of old unit haul-away is $100–$500.
- What is the cost of expansion tank? The typical cost of expansion tank is $90–$350.
- What is the cost of new gas line? The typical cost of new gas line is $260–$820. Electric tankless may need a new circuit or subpanel ($500–$1,000).
What changes the price
- Type — tank, tankless, heat pump or solar.
- Fuel — gas work adds permit and line costs.
- Conversions — switching from tank to tankless roughly doubles labor.
- Code upgrades — expansion tanks, venting and electrical changes.
- Location — tight closets, attics and basements add labor.
How to save without cutting corners
- Replace before the tank fails to avoid water damage costs.
- Get quotes that include permit, haul-away and code upgrades.
- Compare a heat pump unit's operating savings before choosing.
- Flush the tank yearly to extend the new heater's life.
Water Heater Replacement Cost by state
Labor and material prices vary by region. These estimates apply each state's approximate cost index to the national range.
| State | Estimated range | vs. U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $760–$1,600 | 14% below |
| Alaska | $1,100–$2,200 | 22% above |
| Arizona | $820–$1,700 | 7% below |
| Arkansas | $750–$1,600 | 15% below |
| California | $1,100–$2,200 | 22% above |
| Colorado | $880–$1,800 | about average |
| Connecticut | $990–$2,000 | 12% above |
| Delaware | $920–$1,900 | 4% above |
| District of Columbia | $970–$2,000 | 10% above |
| Florida | $810–$1,700 | 8% below |
| Georgia | $780–$1,600 | 11% below |
| Hawaii | $1,100–$2,400 | 30% above |
| Idaho | $810–$1,700 | 8% below |
| Illinois | $970–$2,000 | 10% above |
| Indiana | $830–$1,700 | 6% below |
| Iowa | $820–$1,700 | 7% below |
| Kansas | $790–$1,600 | 10% below |
| Kentucky | $790–$1,600 | 10% below |
| Louisiana | $770–$1,600 | 13% below |
| Maine | $840–$1,700 | 5% below |
| Maryland | $880–$1,800 | about average |
| Massachusetts | $1,000–$2,200 | 18% above |
| Michigan | $860–$1,800 | 2% below |
| Minnesota | $930–$1,900 | 6% above |
| Mississippi | $750–$1,600 | 15% below |
| Missouri | $860–$1,800 | 3% below |
| Montana | $820–$1,700 | 7% below |
| Nebraska | $790–$1,600 | 10% below |
| Nevada | $910–$1,900 | 3% above |
| New Hampshire | $880–$1,800 | about average |
| New Jersey | $1,000–$2,100 | 17% above |
| New Mexico | $780–$1,600 | 11% below |
| New York | $1,100–$2,200 | 20% above |
| North Carolina | $770–$1,600 | 13% below |
| North Dakota | $810–$1,700 | 8% below |
| Ohio | $840–$1,700 | 5% below |
| Oklahoma | $770–$1,600 | 13% below |
| Oregon | $930–$1,900 | 5% above |
| Pennsylvania | $920–$1,900 | 4% above |
| Rhode Island | $970–$2,000 | 10% above |
| South Carolina | $770–$1,600 | 13% below |
| South Dakota | $780–$1,600 | 12% below |
| Tennessee | $780–$1,600 | 11% below |
| Texas | $780–$1,600 | 11% below |
| Utah | $820–$1,700 | 7% below |
| Vermont | $850–$1,800 | 4% below |
| Virginia | $830–$1,700 | 6% below |
| Washington | $950–$2,000 | 8% above |
| West Virginia | $820–$1,700 | 7% below |
| Wisconsin | $880–$1,800 | about average |
| Wyoming | $800–$1,700 | 9% below |
Water Heater Replacement Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to replace a 50-gallon water heater?
A 50-gallon tank typically costs $800–$2,500 installed, depending on fuel type and code upgrades.
Is a tankless water heater worth it?
Tankless units cost more ($1,400–$3,900 vs $600–$2,500 for a tank) but can last 20+ years versus 8–12 for a tank.
More questions? See the water heater replacement guide.
Water Heater Replacement Cost in popular cities
New York City, NYLos Angeles, CAChicago, ILHouston, TXPhiladelphia, PAPhoenix, AZSan Antonio, TXSan Diego, CADallas, TXSan Jose, CAAustin, TXJacksonville, FLSan Francisco, CAColumbus, OHFort Worth, TXIndianapolis, INCharlotte, NCSeattle, WADenver, CODetroit, MIBoston, MAMemphis, TNPortland, OROklahoma City, OKLas Vegas, NVBaltimore, MDWashington, D.C., DCMilwaukee, WINashville, TNFresno, CASacramento, CAKansas City, MOAtlanta, GAVirginia Beach, VARaleigh, NCMiami, FL
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Sources: Angi — Water heater replacement cost · Bob Vila — Water heater replacement cost · ENERGY STAR — Heat pump water heater savings. Ranges are rounded estimates; see our editorial policy.