Inground pool cost in Lexington, KY
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $35,000 – $109,500
- Per sq ft
- $77.50 – $242
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −3%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #167
- 1 = most expensive
An inground pool in Lexington, KY usually costs $35,000 to $109,500 for 450 sq ft. That works out to about $77.50 to $242 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $2,300 less. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.2).
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Lexington, KY, standard level
$57,300 to $87,000
About $127 to $193 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $27,100 | $41,300 |
| Labor | $30,000 | $45,500 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $220 |
| Total | $57,300 | $87,000 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Lexington, KY
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $34,200 | $52,000 | 47% |
| Labor | $18,400 | $37,700 | $57,000 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $190 | $280 | 0% |
| Total | $35,000 | $72,100 | $109,500 | 100% |
What is behind the Lexington 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 $22.26 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Lexington is 0.98 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 52% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Lexington is at 96.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $35,600 nationally becomes $34,200 here (midpoint, 450 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.9: $95 to $280.
Cost by quality level and size in Lexington
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Lexington. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small pool (400 sq ft) to large (800 sq ft).
Basic
$35,000 to $64,700
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$57,300 to $87,000
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$79,600 to $109,500
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $31,100 – $57,500 | $50,900 – $77,400 | $70,700 – $97,200 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $39,800 – $73,600 | $65,100 – $99,000 | $90,500 – $124,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $62,100 – $115,000 | $101,500 – $154,500 | $141,500 – $194,000 |
Inground pool: what moves the price in Lexington
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.
Planning more than one job in Lexington?
Jobs that often go together with inground pool are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Lexington wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (−1%) and wood deck lowest (−7%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,600 – $10,900 | −5% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,900 – $5,250 | −4% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,750 | −6% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,000 – $14,100 | −7% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $600 – $2,100 | −1% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,800 – $13,000 | −4% |
Lexington weather and the inground pool calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Lexington Bluegrass Ap (10 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For pouring concrete, the comfortable months in Lexington are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below.
The 40°F line is a deliberately cautious stand-in. The American Concrete Institute's cold-weather guide (ACI 306R-16) defines cold-weather concreting around an average daily air temperature below 40°F, which is colder than our test of an average overnight low at or below 40°F, so we flag a few extra shoulder months. In cold weather crews may need heated enclosures, insulating blankets or accelerated mixes, and those measures can raise a quote.
Lexington gets about 50 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 15 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (5.4 inches in May). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.7 inches. The station averages about 25 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42 | 25 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 47 | 28 | 3.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 56 | 36 | 4.5 | Cold |
| Apr | 67 | 45 | 4.4 | Workable |
| May | 76 | 55 | 5.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 63 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 67 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 65 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 58 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 69 | 47 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 56 | 36 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Dec | 46 | 30 | 4.2 | Cold |
What local crews earn in Lexington
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 4 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Lexington the blend is 0.98.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $22.26 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.37 and $24.40 an hour. BLS counts 1,810 of them working in the area, 63.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $28.15 an hour, in line with the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $23.74 and $31.73 an hour. About 760 work in the metro. That is 26.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021, weighted 20%) the local median is $28.63 an hour, which is 4% below the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $21.65 and $33.97 an hour. BLS counts 90 of them working in the area, 3.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.4), so the local bench is about average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $29.75 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.55 and $39.11 an hour. About 810 work in the metro. That is 28.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $1,450 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $2,650. That is a swing of roughly 3.7% to 2.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Lexington-Fayette has 286,910 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 90th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $18.37 | $22.26 | $24.40 | $22.66 | 0.98 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $23.74 | $28.15 | $31.73 | $28.78 | 0.98 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $21.65 | $28.63 | $33.97 | $29.87 | 0.96 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $23.55 | $29.75 | $39.11 | $30.67 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.98 | |||||
Lexington against nearby metros and the rest of Kentucky
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Lexington. Huntington is the lowest at about $69,900 (midpoint, 450 sq ft), 100 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington, KYthis page | $35,000 – $109,500 | $72,100 | |
| Cincinnati, OH65 miles | $37,500 – $117,000 | $77,300 | +7% |
| Louisville, KY70 miles | $35,900 – $112,500 | $74,100 | +3% |
| Huntington, WV100 miles | $33,900 – $106,000 | $69,900 | −3% |
| Dayton, OH120 miles | $36,600 – $114,000 | $75,400 | +4% |
| Bowling Green, KY130 miles | $34,500 – $108,000 | $71,200 | −1% |
| Kentucky (statewide) | $34,800 – $109,000 | $71,900 | level |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +3% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Lexington ranks #167 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Lexington is 0% above the Kentucky figure.
Elsewhere in Kentucky
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KY | 685,190 jobs | $35,900 – $112,500 | $74,100 | +3% |
| Bowling Green, KY | 82,160 jobs | $34,500 – $108,000 | $71,200 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lexington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ME | 288,480 jobs | $34,600 – $108,500 | $71,500 | −1% |
| New Haven, CT | 281,410 jobs | $40,800 – $127,000 | $84,000 | +16% |
| Stockton, CA | 289,660 jobs | $41,100 – $128,500 | $84,700 | +17% |
| Reno, NV | 275,680 jobs | $37,700 – $117,500 | $77,700 | +8% |
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Inground pool in Lexington: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Lexington?
For 450 sq ft, expect $35,000 to $109,500 in the Lexington area. A standard-spec job lands at $57,300 to $87,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Lexington?
About $77.50 to $242 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $95 to $280 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Lexington or Cincinnati?
Cincinnati is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $77,300, which is 7% more than Lexington ($72,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lexington?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $37,700 out of $72,100. Materials are 47% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Lexington?
$39,800 to $124,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Lexington?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $95 to $280 for fees in the Lexington area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lexington expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Kentucky?
Lexington is 0% above the Kentucky statewide estimate ($71,900 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Kentucky; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Lexington?
The BLS median is $22.26 an hour in the Lexington area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.37 to $24.40.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Lexington?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $35,000 to $64,700 and premium work $79,600 to $109,500. 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 Lexington?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. September and October 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 Lexington
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.