HVAC installation is one of the biggest investments a homeowner will make and one of the hardest to plan for. The cost of a full system replacement depends on dozens of variables, from the size of the home to the complexity of the ductwork to the regulatory requirements in a given state. Online estimates can provide a starting point, but they rarely capture the full picture.
We analyzed completed residential HVAC installation jobs across the ServiceTitan platform in 2025 to provide a clearer, data-driven view of what homeowners are actually paying, state by state.
What the data shows
The national average cost of a residential HVAC installation on the ServiceTitan platform was $17,040 in 2025. That figure reflects total invoiced costs, including equipment, labor, permits, and related work.
Costs varied widely by state. Connecticut led at nearly $26,000, followed by California, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Oregon, all averaging above $22,000. On the lower end, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin averaged below $9,000. That spread highlights just how much system type, home size, and local conditions drive price.
These are not estimates or projections. They’re actual invoiced amounts from completed residential installations processed through the ServiceTitan platform during the 2025 calendar year.
What goes into the cost of a full system installation
A full residential HVAC system replacement typically goes well beyond a single piece of equipment. It often includes a new furnace, air conditioning compressor, and, in many cases, ductwork modifications and indoor air quality components such as filtration or humidity control systems.
In addition to the equipment itself, the total cost reflects labor, refrigerant, electrical work, permits, inspections, and sometimes structural modifications to accommodate a new system. For homeowners used to seeing online estimates in the range of $5,000 to $10,000, the difference often comes down to scope. Those lower numbers often reflect a single-component replacement, not a full system installation.
Why cost varies so widely by state
Several factors drive the state-by-state differences visible in the data.
Home size and system complexity are the most direct. Larger homes require higher-capacity equipment, and homes with multiple HVAC zones or systems will naturally see higher total costs. The type of equipment also matters. Heat pump installations, which are growing in popularity in moderate climates, carry different cost profiles than traditional furnace-and-AC combinations.
State and local regulations add another layer. In California, for example, all HVAC replacements must be permitted and require third-party inspections, adding both cost and complexity to every job. Other states have their own requirements for permits, inspections, and energy code compliance that shift the total cost in either direction.
Labor markets, material costs, and regional pricing norms complete the picture. A contractor in a high-cost-of-living metro area with tight labor availability will price differently from one in a lower-cost market with more available technicians.
What shapes your specific cost
No two HVAC installations are the same, and the national or state average is just a reference point. The actual cost for any given home depends on a set of variables specific to that property and project.
Age and condition matter. A straightforward equipment swap on a home with modern, well-maintained ductwork is a different scope than a full system replacement in an older home that needs duct modifications, electrical upgrades, or structural changes to accommodate a new unit.
The size of the home and the number of systems it requires are major factors. A 1,500-square-foot ranch with a single system is fundamentally different from a 4,000-square-foot two-story home with separate zones for each floor.
Equipment choices also move the number. A standard-efficiency furnace and AC combination costs less upfront than a high-efficiency heat pump system, though the long-term operating costs may differ significantly. Add-ons like smart thermostats, zoning controls, UV air purifiers, or upgraded filtration systems each contribute to the total.
The best thing a homeowner can do is talk with their HVAC contractor to understand their specific situation. Get multiple quotes, ask each contractor to walk you through what’s included in their proposal, and don’t hesitate to ask questions about equipment options, warranty coverage, and the permit process in your area. Price variation between contractors in the same market is normal and can be significant; what matters is understanding what you’re getting for the price.
What this means for contractors
For HVAC contractors, data like this provides useful context for the conversations happening every day in the field. Homeowners are doing more research before they pick up the phone, and they often arrive at a sales appointment with numbers in mind. The more contractors can ground the conversation in what a full, professionally installed system actually includes, the easier it is to build trust and value.
Contractors who explain the scope of a full installation and provide options at different price points put themselves in the strongest position. Making it easy for homeowners to compare proposals builds trust. That starts with having the right tools to manage the process end-to-end.
How ServiceTitan helps HVAC contractors
ServiceTitan gives HVAC contractors the tools to manage every part of the installation process, from the first call to the final invoice. Scheduling, dispatch, estimates, multi-option proposals, financing, and job costing all run through a single platform built for the trades.
See how ServiceTitan helps HVAC contractors manage installations from first call to final invoice.
Explore the data by state. The table below shows the average cost alongside the 75th percentile.
State | Average Cost | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $25,980 | $35,630 |
| Nevada | $23,650 | $33,628 |
| Massachusetts | $23,586 | $33,537 |
| California | $23,465 | $33,723 |
| Oregon | $22,487 | $32,761 |
| Arizona | $22,431 | $30,333 |
| New Mexico | $21,857 | $32,541 |
| Mississippi | $21,625 | $31,231 |
| Maryland | $21,474 | $30,000 |
| Arkansas | $21,085 | $28,766 |
| Delaware | $21,060 | $29,000 |
| Maine | $20,669 | $28,484 |
| Washington | $20,490 | $30,122 |
| Pennsylvania | $19,990 | $28,500 |
| New Jersey | $19,579 | $28,932 |
| West Virginia | $19,519 | $27,901 |
| South Carolina | $19,089 | $26,280 |
| Utah | $18,497 | $27,600 |
| Oklahoma | $18,301 | $26,642 |
| Alabama | $18,066 | $24,272 |
| Hawaii | $18,041 | $30,410 |
| Kentucky | $17,632 | $23,825 |
| D.C. | $17,264 | $27,904 |
| Colorado | $17,151 | $25,373 |
| Ohio | $17,105 | $25,568 |
| Nebraska | $17,053 | $26,267 |
| Florida | $16,536 | $23,174 |
| Iowa | $16,470 | $25,360 |
| New Hampshire | $16,421 | $23,877 |
| Louisiana | $16,196 | $25,376 |
| North Carolina | $15,997 | $23,400 |
| Georgia | $15,847 | $23,214 |
| New York | $15,721 | $22,000 |
| Indiana | $15,472 | $24,416 |
| Vermont | $15,231 | $18,528 |
| Kansas | $15,139 | $25,602 |
| Tennessee | $14,733 | $21,822 |
| Virginia | $14,696 | $22,955 |
| Idaho | $13,519 | $17,526 |
| Texas | $13,050 | $21,118 |
| Illinois | $12,836 | $17,601 |
| Missouri | $12,169 | $18,997 |
| Montana | $11,477 | $12,471 |
| Alaska | $11,126 | $14,895 |
| Michigan | $10,300 | $14,249 |
| Wyoming | $9,903 | $12,510 |
| Minnesota | $8,700 | $11,990 |
| Wisconsin | $8,763 | $12,450 |
| South Dakota | $6,660 | $11,835 |
Based on internal analysis of aggregated, anonymized data from participating ServiceTitan customers’ residential HVAC installation invoices, January 2025 through December 2025. Figures reflect averages among qualifying ServiceTitan customers in each state and are not nationally representative; some states reflect a limited number of participating businesses and may be less representative of broader market conditions. North Dakota is excluded due to insufficient data. A minimum invoice threshold of $500 and a maximum of $100,000 were applied to focus on typical residential installations. Individual costs vary based on equipment, labor, geography, and other factors. These figures are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute estimates or guarantees of actual installation costs.
