Inground pool cost in Asheville, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $33,500 – $104,500
- Per sq ft
- $74 – $232
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −7%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #206
- 1 = most expensive
An inground pool in Asheville, NC usually costs $33,500 to $104,500 for 450 sq ft. That works out to about $74 to $232 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $5,400 less. Construction laborers earn a median of $22.85 an hour in the Asheville area, 1% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Asheville, NC, standard level
$54,800 to $83,300
About $122 to $185 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $27,200 | $41,500 |
| Labor | $27,500 | $41,600 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $230 |
| Total | $54,800 | $83,300 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Asheville, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,500 | $34,300 | $52,200 | 50% |
| Labor | $16,900 | $34,500 | $52,200 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $190 | $290 | 0% |
| Total | $33,500 | $69,100 | $104,500 | 100% |
Where the Asheville price comes from
Labor is 50% 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 Asheville the blended ratio comes out at 0.89.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Asheville is at 96.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $35,600 nationally becomes $34,300 here (midpoint, 450 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 96.5: $95 to $290.
Asheville 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, Asheville (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 Asheville 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.
Asheville gets about 41 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 12 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, July and September (4.1 inches in July). Inside the workable window, June and October are the driest, at 3.4 and 2.6 inches. The station averages about 16 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 | 48 | 29 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 52 | 32 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 59 | 38 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Apr | 69 | 46 | 3.7 | Workable |
| May | 76 | 54 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 83 | 61 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 65 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 85 | 64 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 79 | 58 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 69 | 47 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 59 | 37 | 3.0 | Cold |
| Dec | 51 | 32 | 3.3 | Cold |
Asheville against nearby metros and the rest of North Carolina
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Asheville. Spartanburg is the lowest at about $67,000 (midpoint, 450 sq ft), 70 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NCthis page | $33,500 – $104,500 | $69,100 | |
| Johnson City, TN45 miles | $33,000 – $103,000 | $68,000 | −1% |
| Hickory, NC65 miles | $32,800 – $102,500 | $67,700 | −2% |
| Greenville, SC65 miles | $32,900 – $102,500 | $67,800 | −2% |
| Spartanburg, SC70 miles | $32,400 – $101,500 | $67,000 | −3% |
| Kingsport, TN70 miles | $34,400 – $107,500 | $70,900 | +3% |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $33,200 – $104,000 | $68,500 | −1% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Asheville ranks #206 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Asheville is 1% above the North Carolina figure.
Elsewhere in North Carolina
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $33,700 – $105,500 | $69,600 | +1% |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $33,600 – $105,000 | $69,300 | level |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $32,500 – $101,500 | $67,000 | −3% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $33,700 – $105,500 | $69,600 | +1% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $32,300 – $101,000 | $66,600 | −4% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $33,200 – $103,500 | $68,400 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Asheville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | 182,620 jobs | $34,600 – $108,000 | $71,400 | +3% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $37,500 – $117,000 | $77,400 | +12% |
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $36,800 – $115,000 | $75,900 | +10% |
| Lafayette, LA | 179,570 jobs | $32,200 – $101,000 | $66,500 | −4% |
What local crews earn in Asheville
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 Asheville the blend is 0.89.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $22.85 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.46 and $23.75 an hour. BLS counts 1,340 of them working in the area, 74.2 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 $23.06 an hour, 20% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.81 and $24.89 an hour. About 510 work in the metro. That is 28.2 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 $23.23 an hour, which is 22% below the national $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $21.64 and $27.27 an hour. BLS counts 30 of them working in the area, 1.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 3.4), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $28.46 an hour, 7% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $22.37 and $29.78 an hour. About 460 work in the metro. That is 25.5 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 $610 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $3,000. That is a swing of roughly 4.3% to 0.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Asheville has 180,620 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 127th 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% | $18.46 | $22.85 | $23.75 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $21.81 | $23.06 | $24.89 | $28.78 | 0.80 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $21.64 | $23.23 | $27.27 | $29.87 | 0.78 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $22.37 | $28.46 | $29.78 | $30.67 | 0.93 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.89 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Asheville
Jobs that often go together with inground pool are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Asheville wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (−5%) and concrete patio lowest (−9%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,600 – $10,800 | −5% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,850 – $5,150 | −5% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,650 | −9% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,000 – $14,100 | −7% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $570 – $2,000 | −5% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,350 – $12,400 | −9% |
Inground pool: what moves the price in Asheville
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.
Pick a size, pick a tier: inground pool pricing in Asheville
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Asheville. 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
$33,500 to $61,900
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$54,800 to $83,300
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$76,200 to $104,500
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $29,800 – $55,100 | $48,800 – $74,100 | $67,700 – $93,100 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $38,100 – $70,500 | $62,400 – $94,700 | $86,600 – $119,000 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $59,400 – $110,000 | $97,400 – $148,000 | $135,500 – $186,000 |
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 $54,800 to $83,300 for Asheville, NC is attached.
Detailed inground pool report for Asheville, NC, $9
Multi-page report for Asheville, NC: 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 Asheville: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Asheville?
For 450 sq ft, expect $33,500 to $104,500 in the Asheville area. A standard-spec job lands at $54,800 to $83,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Asheville?
About $74 to $232 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 Asheville or Johnson City?
Johnson City is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $68,000, which is 1% less than Asheville ($69,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Asheville?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $34,500 out of $69,100. Materials are 50% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Asheville?
$38,100 to $119,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Asheville?
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 Asheville area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Asheville expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Asheville is 1% above the North Carolina statewide estimate ($68,500 at the midpoint). We cover 11 metros in North Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Asheville?
The BLS median is $22.85 an hour in the Asheville area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.46 to $23.75.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Asheville?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $33,500 to $61,900 and premium work $76,200 to $104,500. 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 Asheville?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. June 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 Asheville
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.