Inground pool cost in Ann Arbor, MI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $37,600 – $117,500
- Per sq ft
- $83.50 – $260
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #100
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for an inground pool in the Ann Arbor area: $37,600 to $117,500 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 4% higher than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $24.48 an hour in the Ann Arbor area, 8% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Ann Arbor, MI, standard level
$61,500 to $93,400
About $136 to $207 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $26,400 | $40,200 |
| Labor | $35,000 | $53,000 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $240 |
| Total | $61,500 | $93,400 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Ann Arbor, MI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,000 | $33,300 | $50,600 | 43% |
| Labor | $21,500 | $44,000 | $66,400 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $200 | $300 | 0% |
| Total | $37,600 | $77,500 | $117,500 | 100% |
What is behind the Ann Arbor number
Labor is 57% of the midpoint bill here, against 52% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is construction laborers (40%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (30%), brickmasons and blockmasons (20%), plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Ann Arbor the blended ratio comes out at 1.14.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Ann Arbor 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 100.9: $100 to $300.
Inground pool: what moves the price in Ann Arbor
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.
How Ann Arbor compares
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Ann Arbor. Saginaw is the lowest at about $74,000 (midpoint, 450 sq ft), 75 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MIthis page | $37,600 – $117,500 | $77,500 | |
| Detroit, MI45 miles | $39,000 – $122,000 | $80,500 | +4% |
| Toledo, OH50 miles | $37,000 – $115,500 | $76,200 | −2% |
| Lansing, MI50 miles | $38,100 – $119,000 | $78,500 | +1% |
| Flint, MI55 miles | $38,700 – $120,500 | $79,600 | +3% |
| Saginaw, MI75 miles | $35,900 – $112,000 | $74,000 | −5% |
| Michigan (statewide) | $36,600 – $114,500 | $75,500 | −2% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −4% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Ann Arbor ranks #100 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Ann Arbor is 3% above the Michigan figure.
Elsewhere in Michigan
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $39,000 – $122,000 | $80,500 | +4% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 598,260 jobs | $36,200 – $113,000 | $74,700 | −4% |
| Lansing, MI | 217,180 jobs | $38,100 – $119,000 | $78,500 | +1% |
| Flint, MI | 135,040 jobs | $38,700 – $120,500 | $79,600 | +3% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 121,790 jobs | $36,800 – $115,000 | $75,800 | −2% |
| Saginaw, MI | 80,000 jobs | $35,900 – $112,000 | $74,000 | −5% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Ann Arbor against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deltona, FL | 219,740 jobs | $32,700 – $102,500 | $67,500 | −13% |
| Lansing, MI | 217,180 jobs | $38,100 – $119,000 | $78,500 | +1% |
| Springfield, MO | 223,030 jobs | $34,400 – $107,500 | $71,000 | −8% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 205,260 jobs | $44,200 – $138,000 | $91,000 | +17% |
Cost by quality level and size in Ann Arbor
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Ann Arbor. 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
$37,600 to $69,500
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$61,500 to $93,400
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$85,400 to $117,500
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $33,400 – $61,800 | $54,700 – $83,100 | $76,000 – $104,500 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $42,800 – $79,000 | $70,000 – $106,500 | $97,200 – $133,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $66,800 – $123,500 | $109,000 – $166,000 | $151,500 – $208,500 |
The best months for inground pool in Ann Arbor
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Ann Arbor Muni 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 Ann Arbor are May through September: 5 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, April, October, 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.
Ann Arbor gets about 30 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and July (3.6 inches in June). Inside the workable window, August and September are the driest, at 2.7 and 2.8 inches. The station averages about 11 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 | 32 | 15 | 1.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 16 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 45 | 25 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 59 | 35 | 3.0 | Cold |
| May | 70 | 46 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 54 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 57 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 57 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 48 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 38 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Nov | 48 | 30 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Dec | 36 | 22 | 1.7 | Cold |
Planning more than one job in Ann Arbor?
Jobs that often go together with inground pool are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Ann Arbor wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+6%) and aluminum fence lowest (level); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,800 – $11,300 | level |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,200 – $5,800 | +6% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,050 | +1% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,550 – $15,100 | level |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $610 – $2,150 | +2% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,700 – $14,000 | +6% |
Who does the work: Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor the blend is 1.14.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $24.48 an hour, which is 8% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.01 and $29.43 an hour. BLS counts 510 of them working in the area, 23.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $30.05 an hour, 4% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $23.91 and $39.58 an hour. About 170 work in the metro. That is 7.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021, weighted 20%) the local median is $40.00 an hour, which is 34% above the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $37.64 and $40.00 an hour.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $37.60 an hour, 23% above the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $27.89 and $49.17 an hour. About 420 work in the metro. That is 19.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $3,400 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,700. That is a swing of roughly 2.2% to 4.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Ann Arbor has 219,730 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 110th 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% | $22.01 | $24.48 | $29.43 | $22.66 | 1.08 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $23.91 | $30.05 | $39.58 | $28.78 | 1.04 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $37.64 | $40.00 | $40.00 | $29.87 | 1.34 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $27.89 | $37.60 | $49.17 | $30.67 | 1.23 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.14 | |||||
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Inground pool in Ann Arbor: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Ann Arbor?
For 450 sq ft, expect $37,600 to $117,500 in the Ann Arbor area. A standard-spec job lands at $61,500 to $93,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Ann Arbor?
About $83.50 to $260 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $100 to $300 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Ann Arbor or Detroit?
Detroit is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $80,500, which is 4% more than Ann Arbor ($77,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Ann Arbor?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $44,000 out of $77,500. Materials are 43% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Ann Arbor?
$42,800 to $133,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Ann Arbor?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $100 to $300 for fees in the Ann Arbor area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Ann Arbor expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Michigan?
Ann Arbor is 3% above the Michigan statewide estimate ($75,500 at the midpoint). We cover 10 metros in Michigan; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Ann Arbor?
The BLS median is $24.48 an hour in the Ann Arbor area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.01 to $29.43.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Ann Arbor?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $37,600 to $69,500 and premium work $85,400 to $117,500. 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 Ann Arbor?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through September. August and September 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 Ann Arbor
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.