Data report · Nov 1, 2026

Where an AC replacement costs the most and least in the U.S.

We ranked metros on Fairange mid estimates. Mainland spread is about $1,067 — equipment dominates, wages still move the band.

Chart: Fairange mid estimates · BLS OEWS May 2025 · Share freely with attribution

We ranked U.S. metros by our mid planning estimate for a typical central AC replacement — the same math behind the ZIP calculator. Wages come from BLS OEWS May 2025 for HVAC techs; equipment and hours are our published baselines.

The headline finding is quieter than the internet usually admits: among mainland metros with local HVAC wages, the mid estimate only spans about $1,067 from cheapest (Sebring, $4,894) to priciest (San Jose, $5,961). That’s because a big slice of the job is equipment. Labor markets still matter — San Jose’s OEWS HVAC mean is $43.89/hr vs $21.97/hr in Sebring — but they don’t turn a $5k planning band into a $15k one by themselves.

Puerto Rico metros land lower still (local wages are much lower). We keep them in the full dataset; the chart’s “lowest” column includes them so we’re not hiding the range.

Priciest metros (mid estimate)

#	Metro	St	Mid	Band	HVAC wage
1	San Jose	CA	$5,961	$3,836–$9,527	$43.89/hr
2	San Francisco	CA	$5,850	$3,740–$9,316	$41.61/hr
3	Seattle	WA	$5,824	$3,748–$9,299	$41.07/hr
4	Anchorage	AK	$5,821	$3,799–$8,831	$41.01/hr
5	Fairbanks-College	AK	$5,810	$3,766–$8,836	$40.78/hr
6	Napa	CA	$5,806	$3,743–$8,893	$40.70/hr
7	Santa Rosa	CA	$5,796	$3,723–$9,151	$40.50/hr
8	Santa Cruz	CA	$5,710	$3,684–$8,964	$38.72/hr
9	Salinas	CA	$5,709	$3,698–$8,968	$38.71/hr
10	Boston	MA	$5,695	$3,703–$8,709	$38.41/hr

Least expensive metros (mid estimate)

#	Metro	St	Mid	Band	HVAC wage
1	Sebring	FL	$4,894	$3,315–$7,413	$21.97/hr
2	Parkersburg-Vienna	WV	$4,896	$3,317–$7,385	$22.00/hr
3	Beckley	WV	$4,898	$3,323–$7,404	$22.04/hr
4	Dothan	AL	$4,940	$3,344–$7,429	$22.91/hr
5	Daphne-Fairhope-Foley	AL	$4,959	$3,355–$7,439	$23.30/hr
6	Florence-Muscle Shoals	AL	$4,967	$3,352–$7,448	$23.47/hr
7	Anniston-Oxford	AL	$4,970	$3,351–$7,510	$23.52/hr
8	Hot Springs	AR	$4,971	$3,364–$7,523	$23.54/hr
9	Valdosta	GA	$4,974	$3,349–$7,536	$23.60/hr
10	Morgantown	WV	$4,976	$3,358–$7,483	$23.65/hr

Open a city guide when we have one — San Jose (calculator) or Sebring (calculator) — then run your own ZIP on the calculator. If a bid is thousands under our low end with no explanation, ask what got skipped.

Estimates, not bids. Fairange planning estimates from public BLS wages plus published hours/materials assumptions. Not contractor bids. Hours, materials baselines, and contractor markup (2.0× / 2.25× / 2.5×) are ours — published on the methodology page. Wages are BLS OEWS May 2025. Always get local written bids.

Also: ZIP calculator · city guides · how we estimate · press kit

By The Fairange team · [email protected]