Inground pool cost in Lafayette, LA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $32,200 – $101,000
- Per sq ft
- $71.50 – $223
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #255
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for an inground pool in the Lafayette area: $32,200 to $101,000 for 450 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 11% lower than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $18.57 an hour in the Lafayette area, 18% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Lafayette, LA, standard level
$52,800 to $80,200
About $117 to $178 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $26,400 | $40,200 |
| Labor | $26,300 | $39,800 |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $210 |
| Total | $52,800 | $80,200 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Lafayette, LA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,000 | $33,300 | $50,600 | 50% |
| Labor | $16,100 | $33,000 | $49,900 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $170 | $260 | 0% |
| Total | $32,200 | $66,500 | $101,000 | 100% |
Why Lafayette prices look the way they do
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, Lafayette wages are 0.85 times the national level. Labor makes up about 50% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Lafayette is at 93.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $35,600 nationally becomes $33,300 here (midpoint, 450 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 87.2: $85 to $260.
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 Lafayette. The wage table below marks each row.
The best months for inground pool in Lafayette
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Lafayette Rgnl Ap (5 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 Lafayette are September through May: 9 of 12. Outside them, 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.
Lafayette gets about 63 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (7.1 inches in June). Inside the workable window, February and March are the driest, at 4.1 and 3.7 inches. The station averages about 91 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 | 62 | 44 | 5.9 | Workable |
| Feb | 66 | 47 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Mar | 73 | 53 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 79 | 59 | 4.9 | Workable |
| May | 86 | 67 | 5.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 73 | 7.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 92 | 75 | 6.3 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 75 | 6.3 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 70 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 81 | 60 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 72 | 50 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 64 | 45 | 5.0 | Workable |
Related projects, priced for Lafayette
Jobs that often go together with inground pool are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Lafayette wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, retaining wall comes out highest (−9%) and wood deck lowest (−13%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,350 – $10,200 | −11% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,750 | −12% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,600 | −10% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,600 – $13,200 | −13% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $530 – $1,850 | −11% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,350 – $12,200 | −9% |
Who does the work: Lafayette trade wages
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 Lafayette the blend is 0.85.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $18.57 an hour, which is 18% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.31 and $22.95 an hour. BLS counts 1,780 of them working in the area, 99.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $23.94 an hour, 17% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.27 and $29.10 an hour. About 370 work in the metro. That is 20.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Lafayette metro, so we used the Louisiana statewide median: $27.62 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.05 and $29.23 an hour.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $27.85 an hour, 9% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $21.73 and $31.63 an hour. About 680 work in the metro. That is 37.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $3,000 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,550. That is a swing of roughly 2.3% to 4.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Lafayette has 179,570 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 129th 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% | $16.31 | $18.57 | $22.95 | $22.66 | 0.82 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $22.27 | $23.94 | $29.10 | $28.78 | 0.83 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $23.05 | $27.62 | $29.23 | $29.87 | 0.92 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $21.73 | $27.85 | $31.63 | $30.67 | 0.91 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.85 | |||||
Is Lafayette cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Lafayette. Alexandria is the lowest at about $64,900 (midpoint, 450 sq ft), 95 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette, LAthis page | $32,200 – $101,000 | $66,500 | |
| Lake Charles, LA65 miles | $33,500 – $105,000 | $69,200 | +4% |
| Baton Rouge, LA70 miles | $33,500 – $104,500 | $69,100 | +4% |
| Houma, LA90 miles | $31,800 – $99,400 | $65,600 | −1% |
| Alexandria, LA95 miles | $31,500 – $98,300 | $64,900 | −2% |
| Beaumont, TX125 miles | $33,900 – $106,000 | $69,900 | +5% |
| Louisiana (statewide) | $32,500 – $101,500 | $67,100 | +1% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +12% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Lafayette ranks #255 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Lafayette is 1% below the Louisiana figure.
Elsewhere in Louisiana
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $33,300 – $104,000 | $68,700 | +3% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $33,500 – $104,500 | $69,100 | +4% |
| Shreveport, LA | 162,750 jobs | $32,400 – $101,000 | $66,800 | level |
| Lake Charles, LA | 101,690 jobs | $33,500 – $105,000 | $69,200 | +4% |
| Slidell, LA | 98,240 jobs | $32,300 – $101,000 | $66,600 | level |
| Monroe, LA | 87,500 jobs | $31,400 – $98,100 | $64,700 | −3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lafayette against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $37,500 – $117,000 | $77,400 | +16% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 178,590 jobs | $35,100 – $109,500 | $72,300 | +9% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $33,500 – $104,500 | $69,100 | +4% |
| Anchorage, AK | 177,050 jobs | $41,300 – $129,000 | $85,100 | +28% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: inground pool pricing in Lafayette
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Lafayette. 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
$32,200 to $59,600
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$52,800 to $80,200
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$73,300 to $101,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $28,700 – $53,000 | $46,900 – $71,300 | $65,200 – $89,600 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $36,700 – $67,800 | $60,000 – $91,200 | $83,400 – $114,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $57,200 – $106,000 | $93,700 – $142,500 | $130,000 – $179,000 |
Why two Lafayette quotes can differ
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.
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 $52,800 to $80,200 for Lafayette, LA is attached.
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Multi-page report for Lafayette, LA: 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 Lafayette: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Lafayette?
For 450 sq ft, expect $32,200 to $101,000 in the Lafayette area. A standard-spec job lands at $52,800 to $80,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Lafayette?
About $71.50 to $223 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $85 to $260 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Lafayette or Lake Charles?
Lake Charles is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $69,200, which is 4% more than Lafayette ($66,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lafayette?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $33,000 out of $66,500. Materials are 50% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Lafayette?
$36,700 to $114,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Lafayette?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $85 to $260 for fees in the Lafayette area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lafayette expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Louisiana?
Lafayette is 1% below the Louisiana statewide estimate ($67,100 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Louisiana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Lafayette?
The BLS median is $18.57 an hour in the Lafayette area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $16.31 to $22.95.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Lafayette?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $32,200 to $59,600 and premium work $73,300 to $101,000. 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 Lafayette?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. February and March 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 Lafayette
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.