How Much Does An Inground Pool Cost?

Inground Pool Cost By Pool Type

Quick Comparison: Inground Pool Costs by Type

Source: Fiberglass ranges from 2026 Thursday Pools independent dealer network survey. Vinyl liner and gunite ranges reflect 2026 industry data. All figures are typical installed ranges and vary by region, size, and project scope.

If you’re looking at inground pools for your backyard, you’re probably aware there are three main types and you are likely trying to decide what type of inground pool is best for you. Purchasing an inground pool is a significant investment—often an individual’s or couple’s second-largest after their home. Naturally, you want to know how much each type of inground pool costs. The short answers follow, but we’ll show you other variables to consider in subsequent sections.

Vinyl liner pools carry the lowest upfront cost at $25,000 to $65,000, but liner replacements every 5 to 15 years add $3,000 to $7,500 per cycle to the long-term total. Fiberglass pools range from $45,000 to $100,000 or more installed and require no resurfacing or liner replacement, making them the lowest-cost option over time. Concrete pools offer the most design flexibility at $50,000 to $120,000 or more, but resurfacing costs of $6,000 to $15,000 every 10 to 15 years and higher annual chemical use raise their lifetime ownership cost significantly.

Vinyl Liner Pools

• Average installed cost: $25,000–$65,000
• Liner replacement: $3,000–$7,500 every 5–15 years

Vinyl liner inground pools can range from $25,000 to $65,000 or more but are typically the cheapest inground pool option for initial installation costs. Replacing the vinyl liner every five to 15 years may cost another $3,000 to $7,500.

Fiberglass Pools

• Average installed cost: $45,000–$100,000 (per 2026 Thursday Pools independent dealer network survey)
• Resurfacing or liner replacement: None required

Fiberglass pools can range between $45,000 to $100,000 or more, according to a 2026 survey of independent Thursday Pools dealers. As a U.S. fiberglass pool manufacturer supplying an independent dealer network nationwide, Thursday Pools collects annual pricing data directly from installers across the country to reflect real-world project costs.

Final costs depend on the design, delivery for the preconstructed pool shell, and other factors such as yard conditions and desired add-ons. Fiberglass pool buyers can enjoy quicker installation over other pool types and lower long-term maintenance costs and responsibilities. For a detailed cost breakdown specific to fiberglass pools, learn more at our Fiberglass Pool Cost Guide.

Gunite Pools

• Average installed cost: $50,000–$120,000+
• Resurfacing: $6,000–$15,000 every 10–15 years

Concrete or gunite pools can range drastically between $50,000 to $120,000 or more. This wide range of price tags matches concrete’s unique versatility and customization possibilities, with gunite pool designs often only limited by imagination or budget.

Fiberglass vs. Vinyl Liner vs. Concrete Pool Cost: Which Is Best?

Vinyl liner pools usually cost the least upfront, fiberglass pools typically provide the best balance of installation speed and long-term maintenance savings, and concrete pools usually cost the most because of customization, on-site labor, and ongoing resurfacing needs. The best choice depends on whether you prioritize upfront savings, long-term ownership cost, or complete design flexibility.

• Lowest upfront cost: Vinyl liner pools ($25,000–$65,000)
• Best long-term value: Fiberglass pools (No liner replacement or resurfacing required)
• Most design flexibility: Concrete/gunite pools (Any shape, size, or depth)
• Fastest installation: Fiberglass (Typically two to four weeks)

What is Usually Included in Inground Pool Installations?

Most base installation packages from inground pool dealers cover the core components needed to get the pool in the ground and running: the pool shell or structure, excavation and backfill, delivery, a pump and filter system, standard electrical setup, and a handrail. Some dealers include the initial water fill, permits, and a small amount of concrete decking; others do not.

Items that are frequently quoted separately—and that can add thousands of dollars to the final cost—include fencing, full decking or patio work, landscaping, automatic pool covers, pool heaters, and specialty lighting. Getting a fully itemized quote makes it possible to compare proposals accurately, since two estimates for similar pools can look very different depending on what each one includes.

Why Pool Cost Ranges Vary So Much

Pool cost estimates vary widely because “installation cost” means different things to different sources. A standard installation typically includes the pool shell or structure, excavation, basic filtration equipment, rough plumbing, and labor. A full backyard project may also include expanded decking, fencing, landscaping, lighting, a pool heater, an automatic cover, outdoor living features, and complex site work, adding $20,000 to $60,000 or more to the total.

When comparing quotes or cost guides, always confirm what each range includes. Thursday Pools’ cost ranges reflect real-world installed project data from our 2026 independent dealer network survey across the United States.

What’s the Average Inground Pool Cost in 2026?

Pool Size

• Small Pools (up to 12’ x 24’): $35,000–$50,000
• Medium Pools (14’ x 28’ to 16’ x 32’): $50,000–$75,000
• Large Pools (16’ x 40’ or larger): $75,000–$120,000+

Region

Costs in high-demand markets like California, Florida, and Arizona typically run 15–30% higher than the national average due to labor costs, permits, and market competition. Conversely, pool installation in Midwest states may be 10–20% below the national average. This regional discount is primarily driven by lower local labor rates, straightforward excavation conditions, and a shorter, highly competitive northern building season.

Features & Complexity

• “Basic” Pool Package: 30–40% less than pools with premium features
• Mid-Range Pool (with LED lighting, basic automation, etc.): Typical “average” cost
• Premium Pool (with tanning ledge, beach entry, water features, advanced heating, etc.): 40–60% more than basic packages

Financing Your Pool Installation

Many homeowners explore pool financing options rather than paying the full cost upfront. This makes sense when you consider that a $60,000 pool financed over 15 years at 7.5% APR costs approximately $557 per month. That’s often comparable to a car payment for a permanent home improvement that increases property value.

Learn more about financing possibilities at our Pool Financing Guide, or try the Thursday Pools Financing Calculator to estimate payment amounts.

Inground Pool Cost Considerations

Pool Builder

Not all pool builders are the same. Some companies use specialized crews for different installation stages, while others employ a small team to handle the entire process. Your choice of local pool dealer and installer will determine the timeline and overall quality of the project. Meeting and consulting with several pool builders, checking their references, and verifying credentials are wise efforts to avoid costly mistakes.

Geographic Location

Actual inground pool installation costs can vary drastically by geographic location and region of the country. For example, pouring a concrete pool in a Sun Belt state may be much less expensive than one in an area with a significant freeze-thaw cycle to account for.

Environmental Impact

Each pool type comes with different environmental footprint impacts. Necessary vinyl liner replacements contribute to landfill waste and can leach chemicals, for example, while gunite pools require heavy water and chemical use for maintenance. By comparison, fiberglass pools have the most negligible environmental impact without a need for resurfacing and fewer chemical or water usage issues.

How Do Shape & Size Affect Inground Pool Costs?

Maybe you already have a specific size in mind and just want to know how much a 12’ x 24’ inground pool costs? Or, if you have a slightly larger backyard, researching 16’ x 32’ inground pool costs may be your starting point when considering possible pool designs. A pool’s size impacts everything from how much earth builders must displace and how much material goes into the pool shell to how much water you’ll have to use, filter, and maintain. Let’s discuss how shape and size affect pool cost based on the pool type.

Vinyl Liner Pools

Pool installers build vinyl liner pools on-site, beginning with interconnected galvanized steel, aluminum, or plastic panels. Builders may offer customization and variety in shapes and sizes, but many unique features, such as tanning ledges, require expert-level framing work with challenging vinyl seams. Complexities in a vinyl liner pool design can add significant costs and installation time. Generally, the larger the pool, the more it costs.

Gunite Pools

Like vinyl, gunite pools are custom-built in each backyard. Installers use concrete blocks and steel rebar to frame gunite pools, injecting (“gunning”) concrete through a high-pressure nozzle onto the frame. Gunite pools can be as large, deep, and extravagant as you desire, although creating a large or one-of-a-kind masterpiece can add considerable costs. Additionally, more complex pool shapes may necessitate intricate landscaping and custom decking to blend with the surrounding environment, raising the overall project cost.

Fiberglass Pools

Fiberglass pools differ from the other pool types in that manufacturers mold and finish the one-piece pool shells at an off-site manufacturing facility. While fiberglass pools are not technically customizable, manufacturers today offer increasingly more sizes, shapes, colors, and other desirable features like built-in benches, tanning ledges, or beach entries. You’ll have to work within the parameters and choices available from your independent pool dealer’s manufacturer partners, but this efficiency helps reduce overall costs.

Because they are transported in one piece, there are limits to how large fiberglass inground pools can be to remain safe for delivery to your home. However, at around 16 feet wide and 40 feet long, larger fiberglass pools are often more than large enough for most large backyard pools. Similar to the other pool types, smaller fiberglass pools are less expensive than larger ones.

For a comprehensive breakdown of fiberglass pool costs by size and features, see our detailed Fiberglass Pool Cost Guide.

Beyond the Basics: How Add-Ons & High-End Features Impact Inground Pool Costs

Add-ons can significantly affect your total project cost, and the same feature often costs more in vinyl liner or gunite pools than in fiberglass where many are built into the shell. Common add-ons and their approximate costs:

• Pool heater: ~$5,200 average installed (per 2026 Thursday Pools dealer survey)
• Tanning ledge: Included in select fiberglass shells; $2,000–$4,000 in gunite; not recommended for vinyl
• Beach entry: Built into fiberglass shells (typically 15–20% price premium); $50–$125/sq ft added to vinyl or gunite
• Waterline tile: ~$25/linear foot; averages ~$3,800 added to fiberglass installations
• Automatic pool cover: Averages $17,580 (2026 dealer survey); requires electrical hookup

Your local pool dealer can help assemble a cost plan so there aren’t any surprises.

Pool Heaters

Pool heaters can extend the swim season in less temperate climates. Their heat source includes gas, propane, heat pump, electric resistance, and solar. Gas and propane heaters heat quickly but can be costly to operate. Heat pumps are energy-efficient but slower, relying on warm air temperatures. Electric resistance heaters provide consistent heating regardless of the weather but are expensive to run. Solar heaters offer long-term savings and eco-friendliness but require ample sunlight. Location, climate, and energy availability play key roles in selecting the right pool heater.

Fiberglass pools heat faster and retain heat better than other pool types due to their smooth, non-porous surface, which minimizes heat loss. Concrete pools take longer to heat because of their dense material, which absorbs and retains heat within the pool walls, resulting in slower heating. Vinyl pools, while slightly better than concrete in terms of heat retention, don’t hold heat as effectively as fiberglass due to the thinness of the vinyl liner.

According to a 2026 survey of independent pool dealers and installers in the Thursday Pools network, homeowners can expect to pay an average of approximately $5,200 for a pool heater.

Built-In Steps

Gunite pools include custom built-in steps at no extra cost, although intricate designs may increase the price. Fiberglass pools come with built-in steps, but upgrades like tiling can add to the base price. Vinyl liner pools require separate step installations, often made of plastic or fiberglass, and typically add between $200 and $2,500 to the overall cost, depending on design and materials.

Beach Entry

A beach-entry (or “zero-entry”) inground swimming pool features a slight sloping ramp into the pool, providing a longer, slower, gradual entry mimicking a beach experience. Fiberglass pool manufacturers conveniently mold pool shells featuring a built-in combination of a beach entry and then a few steps into the rest of the pool.

Beach entries are built into the price of your one-piece fiberglass pool shell, typically 15–20% more than a fiberglass pool of similar size and shape. Adding one to a vinyl or gunite design can cost up to an additional $50 to $125 per square foot. Theoretically, builders can create a beach entry for a vinyl liner pool, but most will likely steer you toward concrete or fiberglass. Primarily, that’s because vinyl liners need weight from water to remain securely in place, and vinyl can pose a slipping hazard.

Waterline Tiles

Waterline tiles add a refined aesthetic to your pool, creating a clean and polished look around the water’s edge. Typically 6 inches wide, they can be installed around the perimeter of gunite or fiberglass pools, costing around $25 per linear foot. Waterline tiles are often included in gunite pools to hide pool yellowing at the waterline.

In fiberglass pools, waterline tile is considered an upgrade or custom installation. Respondents to Thursday Pools’ 2026 survey of independent dealers say adding specialty waterline tile adds almost $3,800 to installation costs. Additional costs may vary depending on the tile type and any custom design elements you choose.

Tanning Ledges

An inground pool with a tanning ledge is a unique luxury once reserved for high-end resorts. A tanning ledge is a shallow shelf or patio type of area near the pool entryway with about 8 to 12 inches of water. As the name suggests, homeowners often opt for a comfy lounger to lay and relax on the ledge while tanning. However, it’s also an ideal space for young children to splash, play, and safely enjoy their first swimming experiences.

Tanning ledges come built-in with specific fiberglass pool designs, so there is no additional cost. Costs for tanning ledges average around $2,000 to $4,000 in gunite pools but can be more depending on the complexity, finishes (like tile or stone), and additional features such as bubblers. Adding a ledge to a vinyl liner pool is possible but will add to a project’s cost and labor timeline. Pool builders generally advise against tanning ledges in vinyl liner pools because they can be slippery and could easily tear if you aren’t careful when putting pool furniture on the vinyl surface.

What About Yard Conditions & Pool Landscaping Costs?

Your pool builder will include and account for unique geographic site conditions when estimating costs, but post-installation pool landscaping is not always a part of every dealer’s offerings. Adding a custom patio or decking in the area surrounding your pool is something to plan for, and you can weigh budgeting for it in your initial installation vs. spreading the work and cost out across future years.

Before excavation, installers assess site conditions that can add cost to any pool type:

• Soil type: Loam is ideal. Sandy soil excavates easily; clay or rocky soil can add several hundred to several thousand dollars.
• Yard access: Heavy equipment needs 8–10 feet of clearance. Tight access may require removing structures temporarily or permanently.
• Elevation and slope: Significant grade changes may require retaining walls, adding to the project cost.
• HOA regulations: Some associations impose permit, material, or design requirements that affect both cost and timeline.
• Utilities: Unmapped water, gas, or electrical lines discovered during excavation can cause delays and added expense.

After digging the hole and putting your inground pool in place, surrounding it with a spacious outdoor living space and lush landscaping can elevate the final product to another luxurious level.

Decking and patio costs vary based on your materials, finishing choices, and other features. The cost of an approximately 900-square-foot patio can range from $4,500 to $31,500, depending on materials. Many pool buyers opt for a standard poured concrete deck, which averages $5 to $15 per square foot. Stamped concrete jumps to between $8 and $19 per square foot. With options ranging from standard stone materials to more expensive and lavish travertine, pavers often range from $8 to $50 per square foot.

Including retaining walls brings some built-in seating and dimension to otherwise flat areas, ranging from $40 to $300 per linear foot. Beyond the pool’s immediate surroundings, adding landscaping rocks for a pop of color and texture or foliage with shrubs, trees, and other plantings can cost between $9 and $12 per square foot.

Often-Overlooked Inground Pool Installation Costs

While some installation costs are easy to anticipate, others catch buyers off guard — especially line items that aren’t always included in base quotes. Your local municipality may require permitting fees, or your site may require a crane to get materials into the backyard. The items below show up on nearly every final invoice. Knowing what to ask about upfront can prevent budget surprises mid-project.

Permits & Variances

Your dealer should be familiar with local ordinances, including pool permits and safety inspection regulations. Permits and inspections typically run $100 to $1,000, and electrical and plumbing work may require separate licenses.

Fencing

In many areas, fencing around a residential pool is a legal requirement. Local guidelines may specify materials, heights, and design standards. Chain-link fencing ranges from $1,000 to $5,000; wrought iron and premium materials can reach $12,000 or more. The average cost of a standard 300-linear-foot fence is $8,115, according to the 2026 Thursday Pools dealer survey.

Pool Covers

Basic winter covers run $75 to $250. Mesh or solid safety covers range from $1,000 to $3,600. Manual retractable covers on a track-and-reel system run $1,500 to $6,000. Non-automatic covers average around $4,000 per the Thursday Pools dealer network. Automatic covers average $17,580 and require a dedicated electrical hookup.

Water Fill

Water may not be included in your base quote. Confirm with your dealer before signing.

Electrical Work

Pool filtration, lighting, and automation all require reliable electrical infrastructure. Your dealer or a local contractor can assess whether your property needs a panel upgrade or new backyard breaker box.

Dirt Hauling

Excavation can generate enough displaced soil to fill a two-car garage. Some of that material can be repurposed for grading or landscaping, but hauling it away can cost up to $800 to rent a dumpster holding up to 80 cubic yards.

Backfill

Vinyl liner and gunite pools don’t require backfill, but it’s essential for fiberglass pool installations to set and support the shell. Most fiberglass quotes include backfill — confirm it’s itemized. Material is typically crushed stone, though your dealer can specify what’s appropriate for your site. Backfill eliminators can also help installers create a level and sturdy pool with proper groundwater flow.

Septic Systems

If your home has a septic system, rerouting it or adjusting your pool’s location to avoid it can add to your project costs. Your dealer should flag this during the site assessment.

Plumbing

Some plumbing is factored into base quotes, but the distance between your pool equipment location and the pool itself affects how much. More complex pool designs or unusual site conditions can add plumbing costs beyond what’s included.

Restoration

Construction equipment occupies your backyard for weeks. Cleanup and site restoration are part of the process, and costs vary based on the scope of the project and what was disturbed.

How Much Will Maintenance Impact the Lifetime Costs of an Inground Pool?

It’s a common miscalculation for homeowners to account for many inground pool installation costs but forget to budget for annual and ongoing maintenance. It’s wise to evaluate how much your inground pool will cost over time and how much work it will require.

With all inground pools, you’ll have to stay on top of skimming the surface, balancing your water chemistry, and vacuuming debris. Other factors, namely the type of pool you choose, will determine your amount of regular maintenance.

Vinyl Liner Pools

Vinyl pool liners can puncture or tear from pet claws, fallen tree limbs, or other sharp objects. Even with proper care, pools will need a new liner every five to 15 years, with replacements costing between $3,000 and $7,500. Liner replacements require draining and refilling the pool, often with days-long downtime, and expenses can be higher for freeform shapes and custom features.

Gunite Pools

Concrete has a well-earned reputation as a solid and durable building material. It is also porous and permeable, however, making it susceptible to cracking and inviting algae, calcium, and other hard minerals to make their way into concrete’s nooks and crannies. Homeowners will need to purchase more chemicals over the life of a gunite pool to balance pH levels and keep algae and minerals at bay. Gunite pools also require resurfacing every 10 to 15 years, which can cost $6,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on the pool size and complexity.

Fiberglass Pools

Fiberglass pool shells are smooth, non-porous, non-reactive, and have a growing reputation for long-term durability. Fiberglass inground pools can last 50 years without major repairs or replacement with proper installation and maintenance. While annual maintenance can total thousands of dollars with vinyl and gunite pools, fiberglass alternatives are the most cost-effective inground pools with relatively minimal maintenance costs and labor demands.

Strategies for Reducing Inground Pool Operating Costs

Ongoing operating costs are easy to overlook when budgeting for a pool, but a few consistent habits can significantly reduce what you spend year over year across any pool type.

• Test water chemistry regularly and correct small imbalances early. Neglected water is far more expensive to fix than maintain.
• Add chemicals in the evening so sunlight does not degrade them before they can work.
• Skim, brush, and vacuum on schedule to reduce wear on your filtration system.
• Use a pool cover during non-swim periods to cut evaporation and lower heating costs.
• Run your pump on a timer and consider a variable-speed pump for long-term energy savings.

Budgeting and Financing an Inground Pool

Most homeowners explore pool financing options to secure a manageable monthly payment that fits their monthly household budget. Depending on your home equity and credit score, you can choose between secured routes like HELOCs or unsecured personal lines of credit.

To weigh your competitive loan options, read our deep-dive review of swimming pool financing options, or review our verified list of top pool financing companies to find a specialized lender for your backyard transformation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Inground Pool Cost