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HVAC Replacement Cost (2027)

Data updated November 11, 2026

$13,344

typical for an hvac replacement

Most projects fall between $4,500 and $30,000. Based on 74 building permits in Chicago and San Francisco, Jan 2025 – Nov 2026.

Figures come from high-cost cities; your area may cost less.

Reference range · furnace replacement

Typical
$13,344
median
Low
$4,500
25th percentile
High
$30,000
75th percentile

Reference range from 2 cities; local data not yet available.

Based on 74 permits in Chicago and San Francisco, Jan 2025 – Nov 2026. These are high-cost markets, so costs in your area may be lower.

No calculator yet.

For this project we publish the measured range only. We add a calculator once the permits record enough detail (size, type) to support a formula.

Cost by city

  • Chicago, ILTotal project cost, furnace replacement
    Low (25th percentile)
    $4,500
    Typical (median)
    $7,154
    High (75th percentile)
    $19,100

    50 permits · Jan 2025 – Nov 2026

  • San Francisco, CATotal project cost, furnace replacement
    Low (25th percentile)
    $11,458
    Typical (median)
    $19,534
    High (75th percentile)
    $30,000

    24 permits · Jan 2025 – Nov 2026

Low / Typical / High are the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile of the declared permit value. Cities with fewer than 20 permits are not published.

What changes the price

Location

the median ranged from $7,154 in Chicago to $19,534 in San Francisco.

Project scope

the high end of the range is more than double the low end, so size, access, tear-off of old material and finish level matter as much as location.

Questions

How much does an hvac replacement cost?

The typical (median) cost is $13,344. Half of projects fall between $4,500 and $30,000, based on 74 building permits in Chicago and San Francisco.

How much does an hvac replacement cost in Chicago?

In Chicago, the median was $7,154, with half of projects between $4,500 and $19,100 (50 permits, Jan 2025 – Nov 2026).

How much does an hvac replacement cost in San Francisco?

In San Francisco, the median was $19,534, with half of projects between $11,458 and $30,000 (24 permits, Jan 2025 – Nov 2026).

Where do these numbers come from?

From building permits that U.S. cities publish on their open-data portals. Each permit includes the project cost declared by the applicant. We filter residential projects of this type and report the 25th percentile, median and 75th percentile.

Why might my quote be higher than these figures?

Permit applicants declare the cost themselves and some understate it. Permits also exclude work that does not need one. Treat the high figure as a realistic ceiling for an average project, not a maximum.

About this figure

Source
Residential building-permit records published by Chicago and San Francisco
Period
Jan 2025 – Nov 2026 · 74 permits
Method
25th / 50th / 75th percentile of the declared project value. Full methodology
Updated
November 11, 2026