Inground pool cost in San Francisco, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $49,100 – $153,000
- Per sq ft
- $109 – $340
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +36%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #3
- 1 = most expensive
San Francisco homeowners pay roughly $49,100 to $153,000 to install an inground pool at 450 sq ft, or $109 to $340 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, San Francisco is 36% higher. Construction laborers earn a median of $34.91 an hour in the San Francisco area, 54% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in San Francisco, CA, standard level
$80,400 to $122,000
About $178 to $271 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 62% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $30,600 | $46,600 |
| Labor | $49,600 | $75,200 |
| Permits and fees | $180 | $280 |
| Total | $80,400 | $122,000 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in San Francisco, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,500 | $38,600 | $58,600 | 38% |
| Labor | $30,500 | $62,400 | $94,300 | 62% |
| Permits and fees | $120 | $230 | $350 | 0% |
| Total | $49,100 | $101,000 | $153,000 | 100% |
What is behind the San Francisco number
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 40% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $34.91 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for San Francisco is 1.61 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 62% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the San Francisco metro is 108.5 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $38,600, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (115.6) and land at $120 to $350.
Inground pool: what moves the price in San Francisco
Pool type
Vinyl pools are $25,000-$65,000, fiberglass $45,000-$100,000, and concrete or gunite $50,000-$120,000 (HomeGuide).
Maintenance
Pool maintenance is $80-$150 a month; concrete pools also need an acid wash every 3-5 years at $300-$1,000.
Permit
A building permit for a pool is $100-$300 and contractors often include it. Many cities add plumbing and electrical permits.
When to schedule inground pool in San Francisco
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for San Francisco Dwtn (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
Weather is not a serious constraint for pouring concrete in San Francisco: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average overnight low of 40°F or below) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
San Francisco gets about 23 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (4.8 inches in December). The station averages about 3 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58 | 47 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 60 | 48 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Mar | 62 | 49 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 63 | 50 | 1.6 | Workable |
| May | 64 | 51 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 67 | 53 | 0.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 66 | 54 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Aug | 68 | 56 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 70 | 56 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 70 | 54 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 64 | 51 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 58 | 47 | 4.8 | Workable |
How San Francisco compares
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 450 sq ft range from $84,200 to $101,000 across San Francisco and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CAthis page | $49,100 – $153,000 | $101,000 | |
| Vallejo, CA40 miles | $43,400 – $135,500 | $89,500 | −12% |
| Napa, CA50 miles | $42,400 – $132,000 | $87,300 | −14% |
| Santa Cruz, CA55 miles | $40,900 – $127,500 | $84,200 | −17% |
| Stockton, CA55 miles | $41,100 – $128,500 | $84,700 | −16% |
| Santa Rosa, CA65 miles | $44,200 – $138,000 | $91,000 | −10% |
| California (statewide) | $42,500 – $133,000 | $87,700 | −13% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −26% |
Across 300 US metros, San Francisco comes in at #3 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, San Francisco is 15% above the California figure.
Other California metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $42,500 – $133,000 | $87,700 | −13% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $40,200 – $125,500 | $82,900 | −18% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $41,700 – $130,000 | $85,900 | −15% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $48,700 – $151,500 | $100,000 | −1% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $42,900 – $134,000 | $88,400 | −13% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $40,500 – $126,500 | $83,400 | −18% |
Cities with a workforce like San Francisco's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is San Francisco against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 2,375,760 jobs | $35,300 – $110,500 | $72,800 | −28% |
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $45,300 – $141,500 | $93,300 | −8% |
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $43,400 – $135,500 | $89,300 | −12% |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $44,500 – $139,000 | $91,700 | −9% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: inground pool pricing in San Francisco
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for San Francisco wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$49,100 to $90,800
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$80,400 to $122,000
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$111,500 to $153,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $43,700 – $80,700 | $71,500 – $108,500 | $99,200 – $136,500 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $55,900 – $103,500 | $91,400 – $139,000 | $127,000 – $174,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $87,300 – $161,000 | $142,500 – $216,500 | $198,000 – $272,000 |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 4 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for San Francisco is 1.61 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $34.91 an hour, 54% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $28.03 and $40.50 an hour. About 11,620 work in the metro. That is 48.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $59.97 an hour, which is 108% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $38.08 and $64.34 an hour. BLS counts 4,080 of them working in the area, 17.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 20% of the weighting: a median of $37.19 an hour, 25% above the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $30.88 and $51.96 an hour. About 340 work in the metro. That is 1.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 3.4 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $37.44 an hour, which is 22% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $30.12 and $58.54 an hour. BLS counts 5,660 of them working in the area, 23.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($40.50 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $3,800. At the 25th percentile ($28.03) it shrinks by about $4,700. The total moves by 3.8% or 4.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 2,373,920 jobs in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area. That makes it the 12th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 1.53% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $28.03 | $34.91 | $40.50 | $22.66 | 1.54 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $38.08 | $59.97 | $64.34 | $28.78 | 2.08 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $30.88 | $37.19 | $51.96 | $29.87 | 1.25 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $30.12 | $37.44 | $58.54 | $30.67 | 1.22 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.61 | |||||
Related projects, priced for San Francisco
Because every project leans on different trades, San Francisco's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +41% and aluminum fence +24%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,800 – $14,100 | +24% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,800 – $6,950 | +27% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,550 – $5,250 | +30% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $9,500 – $19,100 | +26% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $840 – $2,950 | +41% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $9,400 – $16,800 | +28% |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $80,400 to $122,000 for San Francisco, CA is attached.
Detailed inground pool report for San Francisco, CA, $9
The report lays out the inground pool numbers for San Francisco, CA line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Inground pool in San Francisco: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in San Francisco?
For 450 sq ft, expect $49,100 to $153,000 in the San Francisco area. A standard-spec job lands at $80,400 to $122,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in San Francisco?
About $109 to $340 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $120 to $350 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in San Francisco or Vallejo?
Vallejo is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $89,500, which is 12% less than San Francisco ($101,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in San Francisco?
About 62% at the midpoint, or $62,400 out of $101,000. Materials are 38% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in San Francisco?
$55,900 to $174,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in San Francisco?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $120 to $350 for fees in the San Francisco area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is San Francisco expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of California?
San Francisco is 15% above the California statewide estimate ($87,700 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in San Francisco?
The BLS median is $34.91 an hour in the San Francisco area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.03 to $40.50.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in San Francisco?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $49,100 to $90,800 and premium work $111,500 to $153,000. Basic means: vinyl-liner pool, small size. Premium means: concrete or gunite, large with custom features.
+Is there a bad season to install an inground pool in San Francisco?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
Inground pool near San Francisco
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does An Inground Pool Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = 48% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range 'Outdoor Living' category split. It is a category average, not a pool-specific one, so read the pool materials line loosely.