Inground pool cost in Brownsville, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $30,400 – $95,000
- Per sq ft
- $67.50 – $211
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −16%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #299
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install an inground pool in Brownsville, plan on $30,400 to $95,000 for 450 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $67.50 to $211 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 16% lower than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $16.90 an hour in the Brownsville area, 25% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Brownsville, TX, standard level
$49,800 to $75,600
About $110 to $168 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $26,400 | $40,200 |
| Labor | $23,200 | $35,200 |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $210 |
| Total | $49,800 | $75,600 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Brownsville, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,000 | $33,300 | $50,600 | 53% |
| Labor | $14,300 | $29,200 | $44,200 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $170 | $260 | 0% |
| Total | $30,400 | $62,700 | $95,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Brownsville number
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, Brownsville wages are 0.75 times the national level. Labor makes up about 47% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Brownsville metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $33,300, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (86.0) and land at $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 Brownsville. The wage table below marks each row.
Brownsville against nearby metros and the rest of Texas
Same job, same size (450 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Austin is the priciest of the group at $69,200. McAllen is the cheapest at $62,300.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brownsville, TXthis page | $30,400 – $95,000 | $62,700 | |
| McAllen, TX50 miles | $30,200 – $94,300 | $62,300 | −1% |
| Corpus Christi, TX125 miles | $32,700 – $102,000 | $67,500 | +8% |
| Laredo, TX160 miles | $30,700 – $96,000 | $63,400 | +1% |
| San Antonio, TX240 miles | $32,200 – $101,000 | $66,500 | +6% |
| Austin, TX285 miles | $33,500 – $105,000 | $69,200 | +10% |
| Texas (statewide) | $33,400 – $104,500 | $68,800 | +10% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +19% |
Across 300 US metros, Brownsville comes in at #299 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Brownsville is 9% below the Texas figure.
Other Texas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $35,000 – $109,500 | $72,300 | +15% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $34,000 – $106,500 | $70,200 | +12% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $33,500 – $105,000 | $69,200 | +10% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $32,200 – $101,000 | $66,500 | +6% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $30,700 – $96,100 | $63,400 | +1% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $30,200 – $94,300 | $62,300 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Brownsville's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Brownsville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $39,300 – $122,500 | $81,000 | +29% |
| Hickory, NC | 154,090 jobs | $32,800 – $102,500 | $67,700 | +8% |
| Gulfport, MS | 158,310 jobs | $32,200 – $101,000 | $66,500 | +6% |
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $31,900 – $99,700 | $65,800 | +5% |
Related projects, priced for Brownsville
Because every project leans on different trades, Brownsville's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, retaining wall runs −12% and wood deck −20%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,200 – $9,800 | −14% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,550 – $4,600 | −16% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,350 | −16% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,050 – $12,100 | −20% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $510 – $1,800 | −15% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,100 – $11,900 | −12% |
Inground pool: what moves the price in Brownsville
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.
Cost by quality level and size in Brownsville
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Brownsville 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
$30,400 to $56,200
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$49,800 to $75,600
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$69,200 to $95,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $27,000 – $50,000 | $44,300 – $67,300 | $61,500 – $84,500 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $34,600 – $64,000 | $56,600 – $86,000 | $78,700 – $108,000 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $53,900 – $99,900 | $88,400 – $134,500 | $123,000 – $169,000 |
Climate in Brownsville: timing your inground pool job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Brownsville (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
October through April is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Brownsville (7 of 12 months). May, June, July, August and September 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 May, June, July, August and September, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Brownsville gets about 27 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (5.7 inches in September). Inside the workable window, January and February are the driest, at 1.1 and 1.0 inches. The station averages about 140 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 | 73 | 53 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 76 | 57 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 81 | 62 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 86 | 68 | 1.5 | Workable |
| May | 90 | 74 | 2.2 | Hot |
| Jun | 94 | 77 | 2.9 | Hot |
| Jul | 95 | 78 | 2.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 96 | 78 | 2.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 92 | 75 | 5.7 | Hot |
| Oct | 87 | 69 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 80 | 61 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 74 | 55 | 1.2 | Workable |
Brownsville labor market for inground pool
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 Brownsville is 0.75 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $16.90 an hour, 25% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $14.33 and $18.88 an hour. About 460 work in the metro. That is 29.2 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 $19.32 an hour, which is 33% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $17.58 and $22.10 an hour. BLS counts 330 of them working in the area, 21.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Brownsville metro, so we used the Texas statewide median: $27.12 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.31 and $28.57 an hour.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) the local median is $22.53 an hour, which is 27% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $17.97 and $26.87 an hour. BLS counts 250 of them working in the area, 15.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($18.88 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,350. At the 25th percentile ($14.33) it shrinks by about $1,750. The total moves by 2.2% or 2.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 157,450 jobs in the Brownsville-Harlingen area. That makes it the 151st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.10% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $14.33 | $16.90 | $18.88 | $22.66 | 0.75 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $17.58 | $19.32 | $22.10 | $28.78 | 0.67 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $23.31 | $27.12 | $28.57 | $29.87 | 0.91 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $17.97 | $22.53 | $26.87 | $30.67 | 0.73 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.75 | |||||
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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 $49,800 to $75,600 for Brownsville, TX is attached.
Detailed inground pool report for Brownsville, TX, $9
Multi-page report for Brownsville, TX: 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 Brownsville: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Brownsville?
For 450 sq ft, expect $30,400 to $95,000 in the Brownsville area. A standard-spec job lands at $49,800 to $75,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Brownsville?
About $67.50 to $211 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 Brownsville or McAllen?
McAllen is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $62,300, which is 1% less than Brownsville ($62,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Brownsville?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $29,200 out of $62,700. Materials are 53% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Brownsville?
$34,600 to $108,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Brownsville?
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 Brownsville area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Brownsville expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Texas?
Brownsville is 9% below the Texas statewide estimate ($68,800 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Brownsville?
The BLS median is $16.90 an hour in the Brownsville area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $14.33 to $18.88.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Brownsville?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $30,400 to $56,200 and premium work $69,200 to $95,000. 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 Brownsville?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through April. January and February 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 Brownsville
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.