Inground pool cost in Gainesville, FL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $32,500 – $101,500
- Per sq ft
- $72 – $225
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −10%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #240
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install an inground pool in Gainesville, plan on $32,500 to $101,500 for 450 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $72 to $225 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 10% lower than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $20.03 an hour in the Gainesville area, 12% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Gainesville, FL, standard level
$53,300 to $81,000
About $118 to $179 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $27,100 | $41,300 |
| Labor | $26,000 | $39,400 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $230 |
| Total | $53,300 | $81,000 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Gainesville, FL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $34,200 | $52,000 | 51% |
| Labor | $16,000 | $32,700 | $49,500 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $190 | $290 | 0% |
| Total | $32,500 | $67,100 | $101,500 | 100% |
Where the Gainesville price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 4 trades: construction laborers at 40%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 30%, brickmasons and blockmasons at 20%, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 10%. Weighted together, Gainesville wages are 0.85 times the national level. Labor makes up about 49% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Gainesville metro is 96.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $34,200, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (96.7) and land at $95 to $290.
Data note: 20% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Gainesville. The wage table below marks each row.
Climate in Gainesville: timing your inground pool job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Gainesville Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through May is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Gainesville (9 of 12 months). June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in June, July and August, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Gainesville gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (7.6 inches in June). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 2.7 and 1.8 inches. The station averages about 90 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 | 67 | 43 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Feb | 71 | 46 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Mar | 76 | 50 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 82 | 56 | 2.7 | Workable |
| May | 87 | 63 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 70 | 7.6 | Hot |
| Jul | 91 | 72 | 6.7 | Hot |
| Aug | 91 | 72 | 6.4 | Hot |
| Sep | 88 | 69 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 82 | 61 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 75 | 51 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 69 | 45 | 2.9 | Workable |
How Gainesville 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 $65,500 to $69,000 across Gainesville and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesville, FLthis page | $32,500 – $101,500 | $67,100 | |
| Ocala, FL40 miles | $31,700 – $99,300 | $65,500 | −2% |
| Jacksonville, FL75 miles | $33,500 – $104,500 | $69,000 | +3% |
| Deltona, FL90 miles | $32,700 – $102,500 | $67,500 | +1% |
| Tampa, FL90 miles | $33,200 – $104,000 | $68,600 | +2% |
| Orlando, FL105 miles | $32,700 – $102,000 | $67,400 | level |
| Florida (statewide) | $33,400 – $104,500 | $68,900 | +3% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +11% |
Across 300 US metros, Gainesville comes in at #240 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Gainesville is 3% below the Florida figure.
Other Florida metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami, FL | 2,819,940 jobs | $35,200 – $110,000 | $72,600 | +8% |
| Tampa, FL | 1,447,120 jobs | $33,200 – $104,000 | $68,600 | +2% |
| Orlando, FL | 1,411,730 jobs | $32,700 – $102,000 | $67,400 | level |
| Jacksonville, FL | 765,930 jobs | $33,500 – $104,500 | $69,000 | +3% |
| North Port, FL | 339,940 jobs | $33,500 – $104,500 | $69,000 | +3% |
| Cape Coral, FL | 304,790 jobs | $32,700 – $102,000 | $67,400 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Gainesville's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Gainesville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $31,900 – $99,700 | $65,800 | −2% |
| Killeen, TX | 150,580 jobs | $31,800 – $99,400 | $65,600 | −2% |
| Hickory, NC | 154,090 jobs | $32,800 – $102,500 | $67,700 | +1% |
| Fargo, ND | 148,660 jobs | $35,900 – $112,000 | $73,900 | +10% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Gainesville bid
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.
Related projects, priced for Gainesville
Because every project leans on different trades, Gainesville's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs −8% and wood deck −10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,450 – $10,400 | −9% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,750 – $5,000 | −9% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,550 | −10% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,750 – $13,600 | −10% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $550 – $1,950 | −8% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,300 – $12,400 | −9% |
Gainesville labor market for inground pool
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 Gainesville is 0.85 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $20.03 an hour, 12% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.17 and $22.59 an hour. About 1,060 work in the metro. That is 69.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $23.17 an hour, which is 19% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.28 and $26.47 an hour. BLS counts 300 of them working in the area, 19.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Gainesville metro, so we used the Florida statewide median: $25.37 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $21.33 and $30.00 an hour.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $24.81 an hour, which is 19% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $19.00 and $28.41 an hour. BLS counts 490 of them working in the area, 32.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($22.59 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,750. At the 25th percentile ($17.17) it shrinks by about $1,950. The total moves by 2.6% or 2.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 152,670 jobs in the Gainesville area. That makes it the 154th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.10% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $17.17 | $20.03 | $22.59 | $22.66 | 0.88 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $21.28 | $23.17 | $26.47 | $28.78 | 0.81 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $21.33 | $25.37 | $30.00 | $29.87 | 0.85 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $19.00 | $24.81 | $28.41 | $30.67 | 0.81 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.85 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Gainesville
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Gainesville 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
$32,500 to $60,200
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$53,300 to $81,000
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$74,100 to $101,500
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $28,900 – $53,500 | $47,400 – $72,000 | $65,900 – $90,500 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $37,000 – $68,500 | $60,600 – $92,100 | $84,200 – $115,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $57,800 – $107,000 | $94,600 – $144,000 | $131,500 – $180,500 |
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 $53,300 to $81,000 for Gainesville, FL is attached.
Detailed inground pool report for Gainesville, FL, $9
Multi-page report for Gainesville, FL: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. 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 Gainesville: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Gainesville?
For 450 sq ft, expect $32,500 to $101,500 in the Gainesville area. A standard-spec job lands at $53,300 to $81,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Gainesville?
About $72 to $225 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $95 to $290 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Gainesville or Ocala?
Ocala is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $65,500, which is 2% less than Gainesville ($67,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Gainesville?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $32,700 out of $67,100. Materials are 51% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Gainesville?
$37,000 to $115,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Gainesville?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $95 to $290 for fees in the Gainesville area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Gainesville expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Florida?
Gainesville is 3% below the Florida statewide estimate ($68,900 at the midpoint). We cover 19 metros in Florida; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Gainesville?
The BLS median is $20.03 an hour in the Gainesville area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.17 to $22.59.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Gainesville?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $32,500 to $60,200 and premium work $74,100 to $101,500. Basic means: vinyl-liner pool, small size. Premium means: concrete or gunite, large with custom features.
+When is the best time to install an inground pool in Gainesville?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. February and November are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Inground pool near Gainesville
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.