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Water heater replacement cost
Replacing a tank water heater typically costs $900–$2,000 installed in most US metros, with tankless systems running $2,200–$4,500. Labor is usually 30–40% of the total; the rest is the unit, venting, and any code-required upgrades.
Price at a glance
| Item | Typical |
|---|---|
| Job price range | $900–$2000 |
| Common variants | Tankless: $2,200–$4,500 installed |
| Labor share | 30–40% of total |
| Permit | Usually required |
| Duration | 2–4 hours |
National job price data from the ee.ltd cost database, 2026 edition.
What drives the price
- Tank vs tankless
- Capacity (40–50 gal typical for a family)
- Gas vs electric vs heat-pump unit
- Code or venting upgrades discovered at install
DIY verdict
Not recommended — gas units involve venting and code clearances
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