How much does a hvac cost? (2026)

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system installation.

Data · BLS OEWS · May 2025 National baseline below — your metro matters more; pick a city for local numbers.

National baseline · budget to premium

$5,842 to $14,873

For a typical hvac, mid-range runs about $8,593 at national trade wages — roughly 20% labor, 68% materials. Local labor rates swing this by ±30% or more, which is why the metro pages below exist.

By metro

HVAC cost in 100 US metros

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New York, NY $8,829 Los Angeles, CA $8,814 Chicago, IL $9,001 Houston, TX $8,727 Phoenix, AZ $8,652 Philadelphia, PA $8,516 San Antonio, TX $8,593 San Diego, CA $8,648 Dallas, TX $8,648 San Jose, CA $8,593 Austin, TX $8,593 Jacksonville, FL $8,593 Fort Worth, TX $8,648 Columbus, OH $8,593 Indianapolis, IN $8,593 Charlotte, NC $8,593 San Francisco, CA $9,144 Seattle, WA $9,014 Denver, CO $8,593 Washington, DC $8,763 Nashville, TN $8,541 Oklahoma City, OK $8,593 El Paso, TX $8,593 Boston, MA $8,600 Portland, OR $9,001 Las Vegas, NV $8,663 Memphis, TN $8,593 Louisville, KY $8,593 Baltimore, MD $8,706 Milwaukee, WI $8,593 Albuquerque, NM $8,593 Tucson, AZ $8,593 Fresno, CA $8,593 Sacramento, CA $8,593 Kansas City, MO $8,593 Mesa, AZ $8,652 Atlanta, GA $8,517 Omaha, NE $8,593 Colorado Springs, CO $8,593 Raleigh, NC $8,593 Long Beach, CA $8,814 Virginia Beach, VA $8,593 Miami, FL $8,569 Oakland, CA $9,144 Minneapolis, MN $8,931 Tulsa, OK $8,593 Bakersfield, CA $8,593 Wichita, KS $8,593 Arlington, TX $8,648 Tampa, FL $8,539 Aurora, CO $8,593 New Orleans, LA $8,593 Cleveland, OH $8,773 Honolulu, HI $8,593 Anaheim, CA $8,814 Lexington, KY $8,593 Stockton, CA $8,593 Henderson, NV $8,663 Corpus Christi, TX $8,593 Riverside, CA $8,635 Newark, NJ $8,829 Saint Paul, MN $8,931 Santa Ana, CA $8,814 Cincinnati, OH $8,593 Irvine, CA $8,814 Orlando, FL $8,555 Pittsburgh, PA $8,593 St. Louis, MO $8,898 Greensboro, NC $8,593 Jersey City, NJ $8,829 Anchorage, AK $8,593 Lincoln, NE $8,593 Plano, TX $8,648 Buffalo, NY $8,593 Chandler, AZ $8,652 Chula Vista, CA $8,648 Toledo, OH $8,593 Madison, WI $8,593 Gilbert, AZ $8,652 Reno, NV $8,593 North Las Vegas, NV $8,663 Irving, TX $8,648 Winston-Salem, NC $8,593 Chesapeake, VA $8,593 Scottsdale, AZ $8,652 Norfolk, VA $8,593 Boise, ID $8,593 Spokane, WA $8,593 Baton Rouge, LA $8,593 Richmond, VA $8,593 San Bernardino, CA $8,635 Tacoma, WA $9,014 Modesto, CA $8,593 Des Moines, IA $8,593 Rochester, NY $8,593 Fayetteville, NC $8,593 Birmingham, AL $8,593 Salt Lake City, UT $8,593 Providence, RI $8,593 Hartford, CT $8,593

Common questions

HVACs — what homeowners ask

How much does a new HVAC system cost?

A new HVAC system costs $5,000-$15,000+ depending on system type, home size, and complexity. A basic central air system costs $5,000-$8,000, a mid-range system with heat pump runs $8,000-$12,000, and a high-efficiency system with zoning can exceed $15,000.

How long does an HVAC system last?

Central air conditioners last 15-20 years, furnaces last 15-25 years, and heat pumps last 10-15 years. Regular maintenance (annual tune-ups, filter changes) can extend lifespan significantly.

What size HVAC system do I need?

HVAC sizing depends on home square footage, insulation, climate zone, and window area. A general rule is 1 ton of cooling per 500-600 sqft, but professional load calculations (Manual J) are recommended for accurate sizing.