Know what your pool should cost
A 512 sq ft pool costs $33,400 to $56,800 in 2026, about $88 per sq ft installed. Across every option it runs from $4,200 (above ground) to $89,900 (concrete or gunite).
Four questions gets you an itemised range, adjusted for construction wages where you live. The whole number, up front, before we ask for anything.
What pool work costs in 2026
| Project | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Above ground No excavation, a different category of project entirely | $4,000 – $6,800 |
| Vinyl liner Lowest entry price; the liner needs replacing every 5 to 9 years | $28,300 – $48,300 |
| Fibreglass Fastest to install, lowest maintenance | $33,400 – $56,800 |
| Concrete or gunite Any shape you like, and the highest upkeep | $45,000 – $76,600 |
Where the money goes
Pool shell and structure
$12,680 · 28% of the job
Plumbing, pump and filtration
$7,200 · 16% of the job
Decking and coping
$6,750 · 15% of the job
Excavation and site work
$6,300 · 14% of the job
Water, startup and chemicals
$4,510 · 10% of the job
Permits and engineering
$4,060 · 9% of the job
Electrical and bonding
$3,600 · 8% of the job
Pool cost by state
Labour is the part of this job that moves with geography. These are the same 512 sq ft project, priced against construction wages in each state.
- California $34,900 – $59,300 +4.6% vs national
- Texas $33,700 – $57,500 +1.3% vs national
- Florida $31,400 – $53,400 -6.0% vs national
- New York $34,800 – $59,200 +4.4% vs national
- Michigan $33,400 – $57,000 +0.4% vs national
- Minnesota $34,700 – $59,100 +4.2% vs national
- Missouri $32,900 – $55,900 -1.3% vs national
- Mississippi $30,800 – $52,400 -7.7% vs national
- Montana $31,500 – $53,700 -5.4% vs national
- North Carolina $32,100 – $54,700 -3.7% vs national
- North Dakota $33,200 – $56,400 -0.5% vs national
- Nebraska $31,400 – $53,400 -6.0% vs national
Questions homeowners ask
Can I get an inground pool for $30,000?
At the small end, yes. A 16x32 vinyl liner pool at budget finishes comes in near $29,600. Fibreglass or concrete at the same size starts higher, and the figure excludes fencing, decking beyond the basics, and a heater.
What does a 16x32 inground pool cost?
In fibreglass at mid-range finishes, roughly $33,400 to $56,800, with about $45,100 typical. Vinyl is around 15% less and concrete about 35% more for the same size.
How much does a 12x24 inground pool cost?
About $18,700 to $31,900 in fibreglass at mid-range. It is the smallest size most builders will take on, so the price per square foot is worse than on a larger pool, much of the cost is mobilisation, plumbing and permits regardless of size.
Which pool type is cheapest to own long term?
Fibreglass, generally. Vinyl has the lowest entry price but the liner needs replacing every five to nine years. Concrete is the most customisable and the most expensive to maintain. Budget $90 to $300 a month in chemicals and power whichever you choose.
Reviewed and maintained by Anchorcost. Last checked September 3, 2026. Figures are verified against this page's own calculator on every build. How these figures are worked out.