Inground pool cost in Boston, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $43,400 – $135,500
- Per sq ft
- $96 – $300
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +20%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #14
- 1 = most expensive
Boston homeowners pay roughly $43,400 to $135,500 to install an inground pool at 450 sq ft, or $96 to $300 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Boston is 20% higher. Construction laborers earn a median of $30.49 an hour in the Boston area, 35% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Boston, MA, standard level
$71,000 to $107,500
About $157 to $239 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $28,100 | $42,800 |
| Labor | $42,700 | $64,700 |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $260 |
| Total | $71,000 | $107,500 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Boston, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,000 | $35,400 | $53,800 | 40% |
| Labor | $26,200 | $53,700 | $81,200 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $110 | $220 | $320 | 0% |
| Total | $43,400 | $89,300 | $135,500 | 100% |
Where the Boston price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 40% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $30.49 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Boston is 1.39 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 60% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Boston metro is 99.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $35,400, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (108.3) and land at $110 to $320.
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 Boston is 1.39 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $30.49 an hour, 35% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $26.22 and $45.11 an hour. About 11,580 work in the metro. That is 42.8 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 $36.99 an hour, which is 29% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $30.11 and $55.00 an hour. BLS counts 6,370 of them working in the area, 23.6 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 $46.62 an hour, 56% above the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $37.16 and $65.44 an hour. About 1,060 work in the metro. That is 3.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 3.4 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $46.52 an hour, which is 52% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $30.12 and $56.68 an hour. BLS counts 9,200 of them working in the area, 34.0 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 ($45.11 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $10,000. At the 25th percentile ($26.22) it shrinks by about $2,900. The total moves by 11.2% or 3.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 2,703,890 jobs in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton area. That makes it the 10th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 1.74% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $26.22 | $30.49 | $45.11 | $22.66 | 1.35 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $30.11 | $36.99 | $55.00 | $28.78 | 1.29 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $37.16 | $46.62 | $65.44 | $29.87 | 1.56 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $30.12 | $46.52 | $56.68 | $30.67 | 1.52 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.39 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: inground pool pricing in Boston
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Boston 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
$43,400 to $80,100
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$71,000 to $107,500
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$98,500 to $135,500
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $38,600 – $71,300 | $63,100 – $95,800 | $87,600 – $120,500 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $49,300 – $91,200 | $80,700 – $122,500 | $112,000 – $154,000 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $77,000 – $142,500 | $126,000 – $191,500 | $175,000 – $240,500 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Boston 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.
Boston against nearby metros and the rest of Massachusetts
Same job, same size (450 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Boston is the priciest of the group. Portland is the cheapest at $71,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MAthis page | $43,400 – $135,500 | $89,300 | |
| Manchester, NH45 miles | $36,200 – $113,000 | $74,700 | −16% |
| Worcester, MA50 miles | $41,000 – $128,000 | $84,400 | −6% |
| Providence, RI60 miles | $40,500 – $126,500 | $83,400 | −7% |
| Barnstable, MA70 miles | $41,300 – $129,000 | $85,000 | −5% |
| Portland, ME85 miles | $34,600 – $108,500 | $71,500 | −20% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $43,000 – $134,000 | $88,600 | −1% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −17% |
Across 300 US metros, Boston comes in at #14 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Boston is 1% above the Massachusetts figure.
Other Massachusetts metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $41,000 – $128,000 | $84,400 | −6% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $42,200 – $131,500 | $86,800 | −3% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $41,300 – $129,000 | $85,000 | −5% |
| Amherst, MA | 65,670 jobs | $40,500 – $126,000 | $83,300 | −7% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $38,900 – $121,500 | $80,200 | −10% |
Cities with a workforce like Boston's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Boston against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami, FL | 2,819,940 jobs | $35,200 – $110,000 | $72,600 | −19% |
| Phoenix, AZ | 2,375,760 jobs | $35,300 – $110,500 | $72,800 | −19% |
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $33,900 – $106,000 | $69,900 | −22% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $49,100 – $153,000 | $101,000 | +13% |
When to schedule inground pool in Boston
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Boston Logan Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Boston (7 of 12 months). 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.
Boston gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 49 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, October and December (4.3 inches in December). Inside the workable window, May and August are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 14 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 | 37 | 23 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 39 | 25 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 31 | 4.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 41 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 50 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 60 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 66 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 65 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 58 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 48 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 52 | 38 | 3.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 42 | 29 | 4.3 | Cold |
Planning more than one job in Boston?
Because every project leans on different trades, Boston's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs +24% and aluminum fence +10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,250 – $12,500 | +10% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,700 – $6,750 | +24% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,350 – $4,500 | +11% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,400 – $16,900 | +11% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $710 – $2,500 | +18% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,900 – $15,800 | +20% |
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 $71,000 to $107,500 for Boston, MA is attached.
Detailed inground pool report for Boston, MA, $9
Multi-page report for Boston, MA: 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 Boston: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Boston?
For 450 sq ft, expect $43,400 to $135,500 in the Boston area. A standard-spec job lands at $71,000 to $107,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Boston?
About $96 to $300 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $110 to $320 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Boston or Manchester?
Manchester is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $74,700, which is 16% less than Boston ($89,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Boston?
About 60% at the midpoint, or $53,700 out of $89,300. Materials are 40% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Boston?
$49,300 to $154,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Boston?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $110 to $320 for fees in the Boston area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Boston expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Boston is 1% above the Massachusetts statewide estimate ($88,600 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Massachusetts; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Boston?
The BLS median is $30.49 an hour in the Boston area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $26.22 to $45.11.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Boston?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $43,400 to $80,100 and premium work $98,500 to $135,500. 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 Boston?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. May and August 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 Boston
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.