Professional stair lift installation costs $2,300 to $24,000 for most homeowners, with an average of $7,050, per Angi’s latest data.1 Fixr publishes a lower national average of $4,000, scoped to a standard straight stairlift installed, with most installations totaling $3,000 to $5,000.3 HomeGuide does not publish a single average; it prices a straight stair lift at $2,000 to $8,500 installed and a curved model at $7,500 to $15,000+.2 Figures below are the latest published national figures* from each source.
*National figures, not local quotes. Angi’s page is labeled 2026 data (updated August 3, 2026), HomeGuide’s guide is dated September 2, 2025, and Fixr’s was updated January 31, 2025. Your price depends on staircase shape, lift type, power source, seat, brand, and electrical work needed.
$7,050
average installed (Angi)
$4,000
national average, straight install (Fixr)
$2,000 – $8,500
straight, installed (HomeGuide)
4 – 5 hrs
straight install time (Fixr)
What sources say
| Source | Figure | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Angi | $7,050 average; most pay $2,300 – $24,000; low $1,500, high $30,000 | Stair lift cost guide (2026 data, updated August 3, 2026) |
| Fixr | $4,000 national average; $3,000 – $5,000 range; low $2,000 used, high $20,000 custom curved | Stairlift installation cost guide (updated January 31, 2025) |
| HomeGuide | Straight $2,000 – $8,500 installed; curved $7,500 – $15,000+ | Stair lift prices guide (dated September 2, 2025) |
The two sources that publish an average disagree widely (Angi’s $7,050 versus Fixr’s $4,000), a spread of averages the sources do not explain.1,3 Fixr’s average is scoped to a standard straight stairlift installed, while Angi’s average spans its project data without that scope note; the sources do not establish how much of the gap this explains.1,3
Cost by stair lift type
| Type | Angi | Fixr | HomeGuide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight | $2,000 – $9,000 | $2,000 – $8,000 | $2,000 – $8,500 |
| Curved | $10,350 – $25,000 | $8,000 – $20,000 | $7,500 – $15,000+ |
| Outdoor | $4,000 – $25,000 | $4,000 – $12,000 | $3,500 – $12,000 |
| Platform (wheelchair) | $5,000 – $20,000 | $5,000 – $20,000 | $4,000 – $15,000+ |
| Standing / perch | — | $2,500 – $10,000 | — |
| Portable | — | $1,000 – $4,000 | — |
| Used / pre-owned | $1,500 – $3,000 | $1,500 – $2,500 installed | $2,000 – $3,000+ installed |
All three sources agree straight lifts are the most affordable and curved the priciest, but the ranges disagree on every row — curved tops out at $25,000 (Angi), $20,000 (Fixr), or $15,000+ (HomeGuide) — and none explains the spread.1,2,3 HomeGuide notes curved pricing also applies to straight staircases with an intermediate landing.2
Cost by power source
| Power source | Angi | Fixr |
|---|---|---|
| Battery-operated | $3,000 – $5,000 | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| Electric (hardwired) | $4,000 – $9,000 (straight model) | $4,000 – $7,000 |
Battery-powered pricing agrees across both sources; electric pricing does not, and Angi scopes its electric figure to straight models while Fixr does not state a scope.1,3 Fixr notes battery lifts keep working in a power outage but need battery testing and replacement, while electric lifts cost more and need less maintenance.3
Cost by seat type
| Seat type | Angi (new lifts) | Fixr |
|---|---|---|
| Collapsible / folding | $2,000 – $25,000 | $2,000 – $20,000 |
| Perch | $2,500 – $25,000 | $2,500 – $20,000 |
| Swivel | $2,500 – $25,000 | $2,500 – $20,000 |
| Angled | $3,000 – $25,000 | $3,000 – $20,000 |
Both sources publish wide seat-type ranges that span nearly the whole price spectrum, so seat choice alone does not narrow a quote much; staircase shape is the bigger driver.1,3
Cost by brand
Fixr publishes installed unit prices for popular stair lift brands.3
| Brand | Installed cost (Fixr) |
|---|---|
| AmeriGlide | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Harmar | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Easy Climber | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| Acorn | $2,500 – $5,500 |
| Handicare | $2,500 – $5,500 |
| Brooks | $3,000 – $4,000 |
| Stannah | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Bruno | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Savaria | $8,000 – $9,000 |
Installation and labor costs
The sources price labor differently, and the disagreement is unexplained: Angi puts labor at 15% to 20% of project cost ($900 to $1,200 on a $6,000 lift),1 HomeGuide puts installation labor at $1,000 to $5,000 on average depending on lift style,2 and Fixr says labor is usually bundled into the lift price, with a handyman or carpenter at $75 to $100 per hour and a standard straight install taking about 4 to 5 hours ($300 to $500 total).3 Fixr adds that curved stairlifts should be installed by the manufacturer.3
| Additional cost item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| New electrical outlet near stairs | $150 – $350 (HomeGuide); $120 – $200 (Fixr) | HomeGuide, Fixr |
| Dedicated circuit | $250 – $900 | HomeGuide |
| Electrician (hourly) | $50 – $130 | HomeGuide |
| Drywall repair after installation | $300 – $500 (HomeGuide); $300 – $925 (Angi) | HomeGuide, Angi |
| Handheld remote / calling system | $50 – $150 | Angi |
| Upgraded seat belt | $50 – $150 | Angi |
| Full torso harness | $100 – $250 | Angi |
| Safety obstruction detectors | $100 – $400 | Angi |
| Powered footrest and armrests | $50 – $200 | Angi |
| Specialty designs | $100 – $500+ | Angi |
| Heavy-duty model (350–400+ lb capacity) | $5,000 – $20,000 | Fixr |
Standard lifts carry a weight limit around 200 to 250 pounds; heavy-duty models raise it to 350 or 400+ pounds, per Fixr.3
Renting, buying used, and maintenance
Rental pricing disagrees between sources: HomeGuide puts rentals at $150 to $500 per month (usually with a three-month minimum and a refundable $500 to $1,000 deposit),2 while Angi reports $300 to $500 per month plus $400 to $700 installation and $300 to $600 removal fees.1 HomeGuide notes rentals are typically only available for straight staircases and are rarely cost-effective beyond short-term needs like surgery recovery.2
Used and refurbished lifts run $1,500 to $3,000 (Angi),1 $2,000 to $3,000+ installed (HomeGuide),2 or $1,500 to $2,500 installed at roughly half to two-thirds of retail (Fixr).3 Ongoing costs are modest: HomeGuide prices a yearly maintenance visit at $100 to $300, sometimes required to keep the warranty valid,2 and Fixr puts removal at $100 to $300 when it is not done free by a mobility company.3
Does Medicare, Medicaid, or the VA help pay?
All three references report that Original Medicare does not cover stair lifts; HomeGuide and Fixr attribute this to their classification as home modifications rather than durable medical equipment, and HomeGuide notes some Medicare Advantage plans offer supplemental benefits that may cover a prescribed stair lift.1,2,3 CMS’s Durable Medical Equipment Reference List (NCD §280.1, version effective June 9, 2025) addresses related products: it contains an entry reading “Stairway Elevators — Deny,” cross-referencing its “Elevators” denial as a “convenience item; not primarily medical in nature.”4 The NCD uses the term “stairway elevators,” not “stair lifts,” and we found no determination naming stair lifts specifically in CMS’s coverage database; Medicare.gov’s examples of covered DME do not include stair lifts, and Medicare.gov notes Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra benefits Original Medicare does not.4,5 Confirm with Medicare or your plan before counting on coverage.
HomeGuide reports that state Medicaid programs may pay for a stair lift through a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver when the state’s benefits cover it.2 Medicaid.gov confirms that nearly all states and DC operate HCBS 1915(c) waivers and that each state designs its own mix of services within broad federal guidelines.6 Some state waivers do cover home accessibility work: Medicaid.gov’s West Virginia factsheet, for example, lists “environmental accessibility adaptations home” as a covered service under that state’s Aged and Disabled Waiver.7 Whether a stair lift qualifies under your state’s waiver is a state-by-state question the national sources do not resolve — ask your state Medicaid office.
Angi notes financial help may also come through the Veterans Health Administration, TRICARE, or HUD programs.1 On the VA side, the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) benefit provides medically necessary home modifications for eligible disabled veterans, with lifetime benefit amounts of $6,800 or $2,000 depending on service connection.8 But the VA’s Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service lists HISA exclusions, including “removable equipment or appliances such as portable ramps; porch lifts, and stair glides.”8 “Stairglide” is another name for a stair lift — the terms refer to the same product.9 Do not count on HISA funding for a stair lift; direct eligibility questions to your local VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service.
Are stair lifts tax deductible?
HomeGuide states stair lifts are tax deductible if prescribed by a health care provider.2 The IRS rule behind that claim: Publication 502 lets you include in medical expenses “amounts you pay for special equipment installed in a home or for improvements if their main purpose is medical care for you, your spouse, or your dependent.” If the improvement increases your home’s value, the medical expense is reduced by that increase; if it does not, the entire cost counts.11 Medical expenses are deductible only if you itemize on Schedule A, and only to the extent they exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.10 A tax professional can confirm how this applies to your situation.
Resale value
Angi reports that stair lifts do not increase home value — most buyers remove them — and suggests offering removal or removal-cost coverage when selling.1
DIY vs professional installation
Angi advises that stair lift installation should always be left to a professional, since incorrect installation risks malfunction, falls, or serious injury, and manufacturers often require professional installation to keep the warranty valid.1 Fixr notes straight lifts can be installed by a handyman or carpenter while curved lifts should be entrusted to the manufacturer.3 This is not a recommended DIY project.
Alternatives
For multi-floor accessibility, HomeGuide prices a two-story home elevator at $30,000 to $60,000 installed — several times the cost of most stair lifts.2 Fixr’s comparison notes ramps cost almost as much as an outdoor stairlift while taking up much more space.3
Related guides
Staircase Installation Cost
Dumbwaiter Cost
Home Elevator Cost
Vertical Platform Lift Cost
Wheelchair ramp cost
Walk-In Tub Cost
Handrail Installation Cost
Bathroom Remodel Cost
All cost guides
Sources
1. Angi — How Much Does a Stair Lift Cost? (2026 Data, updated August 3, 2026)
2. HomeGuide — How Much Does a Stair Lift Cost? (dated September 2, 2025)
3. Fixr — Stairlift Prices, Cost With Installation (updated January 31, 2025)
4. CMS — NCD, Durable Medical Equipment Reference List (§280.1, Medicare NCD Manual Pub 100-3; version effective June 9, 2025)
5. Medicare.gov — Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Coverage
6. Medicaid.gov — Home & Community-Based Services 1915(c)
7. Medicaid.gov — West Virginia Waiver Factsheet (Aged and Disabled Waiver services list)
8. VA Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service — Home Improvements/Structural Alterations (HISA): purposes, benefit amounts, and exclusions
9. Arrow Lift — What Is a Stairglide? (November 22, 2022; industry terminology reference: “stairglides and stair lifts are one and the same”)
10. IRS — Topic No. 502, Medical and Dental Expenses
11. IRS — Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses, Capital Expenses section