Inground pool cost in Dallas, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $35,000 – $109,500
- Per sq ft
- $77.50 – $243
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −3%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #164
- 1 = most expensive
Dallas homeowners pay roughly $35,000 to $109,500 to install an inground pool at 450 sq ft, or $77.50 to $243 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Dallas is almost level. Construction laborers earn a median of $21.14 an hour in the Dallas area, 7% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Dallas, TX, standard level
$57,400 to $87,200
About $127 to $193 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $29,000 | $44,100 |
| Labor | $28,300 | $42,800 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $250 |
| Total | $57,400 | $87,200 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Dallas, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,600 | $36,600 | $55,500 | 51% |
| Labor | $17,300 | $35,500 | $53,700 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $210 | $310 | 0% |
| Total | $35,000 | $72,300 | $109,500 | 100% |
Where the Dallas price comes from
Labor is 49% 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 Dallas the blended ratio comes out at 0.92.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Dallas metro is 102.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $36,600, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (103.1) and land at $100 to $310.
How Dallas compares
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 450 sq ft range from $64,100 to $72,300 across Dallas and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TXthis page | $35,000 – $109,500 | $72,300 | |
| Waco, TX90 miles | $31,800 – $99,500 | $65,600 | −9% |
| Tyler, TX105 miles | $31,500 – $98,400 | $65,000 | −10% |
| Killeen, TX125 miles | $31,800 – $99,400 | $65,600 | −9% |
| Longview, TX135 miles | $31,800 – $99,400 | $65,600 | −9% |
| College Station, TX145 miles | $31,000 – $97,100 | $64,100 | −11% |
| Texas (statewide) | $33,400 – $104,500 | $68,800 | −5% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +3% |
Across 300 US metros, Dallas comes in at #164 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, Dallas is 5% above the Texas figure.
Other Texas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $34,000 – $106,500 | $70,200 | −3% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $33,500 – $105,000 | $69,200 | −4% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $32,200 – $101,000 | $66,500 | −8% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $30,700 – $96,100 | $63,400 | −12% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $30,200 – $94,300 | $62,300 | −14% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $32,700 – $102,000 | $67,500 | −7% |
Cities with a workforce like Dallas's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Dallas against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | 4,513,280 jobs | $46,500 – $145,000 | $95,800 | +33% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $34,000 – $106,500 | $70,200 | −3% |
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $42,500 – $133,000 | $87,700 | +21% |
| Washington, DC | 3,136,190 jobs | $37,300 – $116,500 | $76,900 | +6% |
Inground pool: what moves the price in Dallas
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.
Dallas: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Dallas 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
$35,000 to $64,800
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$57,400 to $87,200
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$79,700 to $109,500
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $31,200 – $57,700 | $51,000 – $77,500 | $70,900 – $97,400 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $39,800 – $73,700 | $65,300 – $99,200 | $90,700 – $124,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $62,200 – $115,000 | $102,000 – $155,000 | $141,500 – $194,500 |
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 Dallas is 0.92 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $21.14 an hour, 7% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.19 and $22.79 an hour. About 29,670 work in the metro. That is 73.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $24.70 an hour, which is 14% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.95 and $29.04 an hour. BLS counts 11,510 of them working in the area, 28.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021), 20% of the weighting: a median of $28.56 an hour, 4% below the US median of $29.87. The middle half of them earn between $24.04 and $28.72 an hour. About 1,590 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 $29.45 an hour, which is 4% below the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $23.04 and $36.20 an hour. BLS counts 11,980 of them working in the area, 29.6 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 ($22.79 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,150. At the 25th percentile ($18.19) it shrinks by about $2,000. The total moves by 1.6% or 2.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 4,049,800 jobs in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area. That makes it the 4th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 2.60% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $18.19 | $21.14 | $22.79 | $22.66 | 0.93 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $22.95 | $24.70 | $29.04 | $28.78 | 0.86 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $24.04 | $28.56 | $28.72 | $29.87 | 0.96 | metro |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $23.04 | $29.45 | $36.20 | $30.67 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.92 | |||||
When to schedule inground pool in Dallas
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Dallas Love Fld (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
February through May and October through November are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Dallas (6 of 12 months). January and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below; June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
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.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in June, July, August and September, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Dallas gets about 38 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 2 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and October (4.8 inches in October). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 2.8 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 108 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 | 58 | 38 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 62 | 42 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 70 | 49 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 77 | 57 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 85 | 66 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 93 | 74 | 3.8 | Hot |
| Jul | 97 | 78 | 1.7 | Hot |
| Aug | 97 | 77 | 2.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 90 | 70 | 3.1 | Hot |
| Oct | 80 | 59 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 68 | 48 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 59 | 40 | 3.2 | Cold |
Planning more than one job in Dallas?
Because every project leans on different trades, Dallas's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, retaining wall runs −2% and wood deck −6%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,650 – $11,200 | −2% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,950 – $5,350 | −2% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,750 | −5% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,100 – $14,300 | −6% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $580 – $2,050 | −3% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,850 – $13,300 | −2% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed inground pool report for Dallas, TX, $9
Multi-page report for Dallas, 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 Dallas: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Dallas?
For 450 sq ft, expect $35,000 to $109,500 in the Dallas area. A standard-spec job lands at $57,400 to $87,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Dallas?
About $77.50 to $243 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $100 to $310 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Dallas or Waco?
Waco is 90 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $65,600, which is 9% less than Dallas ($72,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Dallas?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $35,500 out of $72,300. Materials are 51% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Dallas?
$39,800 to $124,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Dallas?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $100 to $310 for fees in the Dallas area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Dallas expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Texas?
Dallas is 5% above 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 Dallas?
The BLS median is $21.14 an hour in the Dallas area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.19 to $22.79.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Dallas?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $35,000 to $64,800 and premium work $79,700 to $109,500. 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 Dallas?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through May and October through November. February and November 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 Dallas
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.