See what a new water heater should cost before a plumber quotes you. Pick the type you want and a few extras. You get a low-to-high installed price. No sign-up needed.
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| Water heater, installed | — |
| Fuel switch (gas line or new circuit) | — |
| Expansion tank | — |
| Haul-away of the old heater | — |
| Permit | — |
National prices, not your city's. A fuel switch can cost more than the range shown (HomeGuide lists both as "and up"). New venting, a new electrical panel or moving the heater cost extra. Based on HomeGuide, Angi, HomeAdvisor cost data, updated September 2026. See sources.
Optional. The estimate above is yours either way. Leave your details and a local plumber will call you for an exact, free quote.
Installed price for each type, with the yearly cost to run it. The installed price assumes the same fuel as before, haul-away included, and a permit (already counted in the tankless price).
| Type | Yearly energy cost | Installed price |
|---|---|---|
| Tank, gas | $250–$420 | $750–$2,900 |
| Tank, electric | $530–$600 | $650–$3,700 |
| Tankless, gas | $220–$480 | $2,100–$5,600 |
| Tankless, electric | $340–$540 | $1,400–$3,000 |
| Heat pump (hybrid) tank | $160–$190 | $2,050–$4,800 |
We start with the national installed price for the type you pick: the unit plus the plumber's labor. Then we add what applies to you: a fuel switch, an expansion tank, a separate haul-away fee, and a permit. Tankless prices already include the permit, so we don't add it twice. Every figure comes from the sources below. We round to the nearest $50.
Your real price depends on your city, the brand, and what the plumber finds behind the old heater. Get at least three written quotes for the same type and size. Our guide to questions to ask before hiring a plumber helps you compare them. Or find plumbers in your city.
Angi and HomeAdvisor report a national average of $1,347, with most homeowners paying $882 to $1,825. HomeGuide puts a standard tank replacement at $600 to $3,100 and a tankless install at $1,400 to $5,600.
For tanks, Angi reports $700 to $2,700 installed for gas and $600 to $3,500 for electric. For tankless, HomeGuide reports $2,100 to $5,600 for natural gas and $1,400 to $3,000 for electric. Electric tanks cost the most to run, at $530 to $600 a year.
HomeGuide reports $600 to $2,500 in labor alone to upgrade from a tank to a tankless heater, and about half to a full day of work. Old tank vents can't be reused for a gas tankless heater; new vents cost $100 to $600.
Usually. HomeGuide says most plumbers include it. If billed separately, removal and disposal cost $75 to $500. Ask for it in writing on your quote.
Many cities require one, especially for gas or electrical work. HomeGuide puts permit fees at $50 to $200, and Angi at $25 to $300. See does this plumbing job need a permit.
HomeGuide reports that tank water heaters last 8 to 12 years on average, and tankless heaters 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance.
National figures. We do not adjust for your region. Rates checked September 2026.