Boiler installation costs $3,200 to $9,000 for most homes, with national averages clustering at $5,750 to $6,100.1234 The unit itself runs $1,400 to $6,500, plus $1,200 to $3,200 in labor (HomeGuide).2 Fuel type, home size, and efficiency rating move the price most. Prices below are national averages* for 2026.
*National averages, not local quotes. Your price depends on fuel type, BTU capacity, efficiency, and how much repiping or electrical work the swap needs.
$5,913
average, Angi
$6,100
average, HomeGuide & Fixr
$5,750
average, ConsumerAffairs
$3,200 – $9,000
typical range, HomeGuide
Quick math: four references cluster within $350 of each other: $5,750, $5,913, $6,100, $6,100.1234 HomeGuide and Fixr publish the identical $6,100 — treat those two as one dataset, not two independent confirmations. ConsumerAffairs’ $5,750 comes from named HVAC contractors, which makes it the genuinely independent check. The real market average sits near $6,000, our judgment.
Cost by fuel type
| Fuel | Angi | Fixr | ConsumerAffairs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural gas | $4,000 – $9,000 | $4,000 – $10,000 | $4,000 – $7,500 |
| Oil | $4,800 – $9,000 | $4,800 – $9,000 | $5,000 – $7,500 |
| Propane | $2,800 – $7,500 | $2,800 – $9,000 | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| Electric | $1,800 – $8,000 | $2,500 – $6,500 | $4,000 – $6,500 |
| Wood | $7,000 – $16,000 | — | — |
Angi and Fixr agree exactly on oil ($4,800 to $9,000) and propane’s floor ($2,800) — same underlying data again.13 Electric units are cheapest to install because they skip gas lines and venting, but they suit moderate climates; gas is the most common fuel nationally (Fixr).3
Cost by home size
| Home size | BTUs (Angi) | Angi | ConsumerAffairs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq. ft. | 30,000 – 60,000 | $4,000 – $6,200 | $4,000 |
| 1,500 sq. ft. | 45,000 – 90,000 | $4,500 – $6,800 | $4,900 |
| 2,000 sq. ft. | 60,000 – 120,000 | $5,100 – $7,800 | $5,800 |
| 2,500 sq. ft. | 75,000 – 150,000 | $5,600 – $8,600 | $6,700 |
| 3,000 sq. ft. | 90,000 – 180,000 | $6,100 – $10,000 | $7,600 |
Both size tables climb about $900 per 500 square feet, our arithmetic.14 Sizing should come from a Manual J load calculation ($200 to $500, HomeGuide), not a square-foot rule of thumb.2
Standard vs. high-efficiency
| System type | Cost (Angi) | Cost (HomeGuide) |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional / standard | $2,200 – $7,000 | $2,200 – $7,000 |
| Combination (combi) | $2,600 – $7,000 | — |
| System | $3,000 – $6,000 | — |
| High-efficiency | $6,000 – $11,000 | $4,000 – $10,000 |
High-efficiency models cost $1,800 to $4,000 more up front and save 10% to 20% on energy bills (HomeGuide) — on a $1,500 annual heating bill that is $150 to $300 a year back, our arithmetic, so the payback runs roughly 6 to 20 years depending on climate.2
What is in the quote
| Line item | Cost (HomeGuide) |
|---|---|
| New boiler unit | $1,400 – $6,500 |
| Installation labor and fitting | $1,200 – $3,200 |
| Old boiler removal | $200 – $500 |
| Condensation drain (high-efficiency) | $200 – $600 |
| Permits | $50 – $250 |
| Manual J load calculation | $200 – $500 |
| Thermostat replacement | $140 – $350 |
Labor is 40% to 50% of the total (ConsumerAffairs).4 Switching fuel types adds $500 to $2,500 for capping or adding lines (Fixr); a new gas line runs $120 to $1,350 (Angi); converting to electric can trigger a $1,300 to $3,000 panel upgrade (Fixr).13
Repair or replace
Boiler repair averages $450 against $6,100 for replacement (Fixr).3 Boilers last about 15 years on average (Fixr), and an annual service runs $200 to $500.3 Repair wins on a young unit with a cheap fault; at 12-plus years with a major component failing, the math flips to replacement, our judgment.
Worked examples
Example 1 — like-for-like gas swap, 2,000 sq. ft. Standard-efficiency unit + labor + removal: $5,100 to $7,800 (Angi size table) or about $5,800 (ConsumerAffairs).14 Add $50 to $250 for the permit (HomeGuide).2
Example 2 — high-efficiency upgrade. $4,000 to $10,000 installed (HomeGuide) + $200 to $600 condensation drain.2 Angi’s $6,000 to $11,000 band covers the same job.1
Example 3 — oil-to-gas conversion. Gas boiler $4,000 to $9,000 (Angi) + fuel-switch work $500 to $2,500 (Fixr) + possible new gas line $120 to $1,350 (Angi): budget $4,600 to $12,850, our arithmetic.13
FAQ
How long does a boiler last? About 15 years on average, longer with annual servicing (Fixr).3
Is a boiler cheaper than a furnace? A new furnace runs $3,500 to $7,500+ versus $3,200 to $9,000 for a boiler (HomeGuide) — comparable, but boilers skip ductwork entirely.2 See our furnace replacement cost guide.
Why is installation so expensive? The equipment averages $2,900 to $3,450 and licensed labor runs hours of closed-loop plumbing work (ConsumerAffairs); labor is 40% to 50% of the bill.4
Do I need a permit? Almost always: $50 to $300 depending on the municipality (Angi, Fixr).13
Can I install a boiler myself? No. Gas lines, venting, and closed-loop water lines are licensed-pro work everywhere, and permits require them (Angi).1
DIY shopping: smart thermostats (plain link, no affiliate relationship) — the one genuinely DIY-friendly add-on (Fixr suggests pairing one with a new boiler); the boiler itself is pro-only work.
Sources
- Angi, How Much Does Boiler Installation and Replacement Cost? (2026 data).
- HomeGuide, How Much Does a New Boiler Cost to Install or Replace? (2026).
- Fixr, How Much Does a New Boiler Cost? (2026 guide).
- ConsumerAffairs, Cost to Install a Boiler (2026; contractor-sourced figures).
Related guides
How Much Does Boiler Repair Cost? (2026 Prices)
Furnace Repair Cost
Radiant Floor Heating Cost
Gas Line Installation Cost
Furnace Replacement Cost
HVAC Replacement Cost
Water Heater Replacement Cost
All cost guides