Cost guides › Water heater replacement › California › San Diego, CA

San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA · 3.3 million people

Water heater replacement cost in San Diego, CA

Most homeowners pay $1,550 – $2,600 (mid-range, typical $2,000, before sales tax), 5% above the national average and in line with the California average.

Most homeowners pay

$1,550 – $2,600San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA · 4 · before sales tax
Typical: $2,000
Labour $1,050Materials $963Work hours: 9.7

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Local wage data

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mid-range, typical

Price levels in San Diego, CA

TypicalLabourMaterials
Basic$1,800
$1,400 – $2,350
$1,027$785
Mid-range$2,000
$1,550 – $2,600
$1,050$963
Premium$2,450
$1,900 – $3,150
$1,174$1,251

Why prices in San Diego, CA are different

Labor is about 52% of a mid-range water heater replacement job, around 10 hours of trade work. Tradespeople in the San Diego, CA area cost about 14% more than the national average (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the metro area), while materials cost much the same nationwide. So the job comes out 5% above the national figure and in line with the California average.

San Diego, CA ranks 32 of the 110 largest US metro areas for this job, from most to least expensive.

Other metro areas in California

Metros with similar prices

Other home projects in San Diego, CA

Frequently asked questions

How much does water heater replacement cost in San Diego, CA?

A mid-range job typically costs $2,000 before sales tax, with most homeowners paying $1,550 – $2,600. Basic is about $1,800 and premium about $2,450.

Is water heater replacement more expensive in San Diego, CA than elsewhere in California?

San Diego, CA: in line with the California average of $2,000. Labor is about 52% of a mid-range water heater replacement job, around 10 hours of trade work. Tradespeople in the San Diego, CA area cost about 14% more than the national average (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the metro area), while materials cost much the same nationwide. So the job comes out 5% above the national figure and in line with the California average.

How does San Diego, CA compare with other large metros?

Among the 110 US metro areas with 500,000+ people, San Diego, CA ranks 32 for this job, from most to least expensive. The national figure is $1,900.

How much of the price is labor in San Diego, CA?

About 52% at the mid-range level, around 10 hours of work at local rates. The rest is materials, equipment and disposal, which vary much less between cities.

Population: US Census Bureau, metropolitan area estimates for 2024.

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