Water Heater Replacement Cost (2027)
Data updated November 11, 2026
$4,050
typical for a water heater replacement
Most projects fall between $2,000 and $6,727. Based on 142 building permits in Chicago, Jan 2025 – Nov 2026.
A water heater replacement typically costs $4,050, with most projects between $2,000 and $6,727. Based on 142 building permits in Chicago, Jan 2025 – Nov 2026. Figures come from high-cost cities; your area may cost less.
- 142
- permits analysed
- 1
- city with local data
- 23 mo
- Jan 2025 – Nov 2026
No sponsored figures. Every number on this page shows how many permits it comes from and when. How we count
Figures come from high-cost cities; your area may cost less.
Reference range · permit value
- Typical
- $4,050
- median
- Low
- $2,000
- 25th percentile
- High
- $6,727
- 75th percentile
Reference range from 1 city; local data not yet available.
No calculator yet.
Cost by city
- Chicago, ILTotal project cost
- Low (25th percentile)
- $2,000
- Typical (median)
- $4,050
- High (75th percentile)
- $6,727
142 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
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 a water heater replacement cost?
The typical (median) cost is $4,050. Half of projects fall between $2,000 and $6,727, based on 142 building permits in Chicago.
How much does a water heater replacement cost in Chicago?
In Chicago, the median was $4,050, with half of projects between $2,000 and $6,727 (142 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
- Period
- Jan 2025 – Nov 2026 · 142 permits
- Method
- 25th / 50th / 75th percentile of the declared project value. Full methodology
- Updated
- November 11, 2026