Saltwater Pool Cost Breakdown: Budgeting for Your Backyard Oasis

If you are curious how much is a saltwater pool, know that it can cost anywhere from $5,000 for a typical above-ground saltwater pool to $26,500 for an inground one. Overall, the cost of installing a saltwater pool ranges from $75 to $125 per square foot or $30,000 to $60,000 for a standard-sized pool. Across the U.S., the average saltwater pool price is around $37,500.

Key Points:

• The average cost of Installing a new saltwater pool is $37,500, while adding a saltwater system to the existing pool will cost up to $2,500.
• The total pool installation cost can vary greatly, depending on the type, size, shape, material, and additional features of your pool.
• To keep the pool installation costs down, you can opt for an above-ground option, choose cheaper materials, and stick to the most basic features.
• Pool loans, home equity loans or lines of credit, credit cards, and retail financing are some of the options available to fund your pool purchase. 

Saltwater Pool Costs by Type of Material

Most inground pools are either concrete, fiberglass, or vinyl, - and all three of these materials are suitable for a salt water pool system, as they won’t be damaged by salt.

• Concrete: $55,000 to $200,000. Concrete allows for customization but requires more labor, which makes it the most expensive saltwater pool material.
• Fiberglass: $15,000 to $35,000. Pre-engineered fiberglass pools don’t allow for customization, but they are the most budget-friendly and often include a lifetime warranty.
• Vinyl liner: $25,000 to $65,000. Vinyl saltwater pools are cheaper than concrete ones. However, a vinyl liner can rip easily and requires a complete replacement after approximately 10 years.

Saltwater Swimming Pool Costs by Size

Most typical swimming pools measure from 10’ by 20’ to 16’ by 32’, even though you can opt for a larger or smaller pool depending on the size of your backyard, budget, and personal preference.

• Small pools: $15,000 to $36,000. Typical small pools measure either 10’ x 20’ or 12’ x 24’. Such pools can cost $15,000 to $25,000 or $21,600 to $36,000 respectively.
• Medium pools: $38,000 to $106,200. Common dimensions for a medium-sized pool are 16’ x 32’ and 20’ x 40’. A medium-sized saltwater pool will cost you $38,000 to $64,000 or $73,900 to $106,200, respectively.
• Large pools: $103,500 to $196,200. If you want to go big with the size of your pool, standard options are 25’ x 45’ and 30’ x 50’. A large-size saltwater pool will set you back $103,500 to $148,500 or $137,600 to $197,200, respectively. 

Above-Ground vs. Inground Saltwater Pool Costs

An above-ground pool is the most affordable type of swimming pool. If you decide to go the inexpensive route, you can expect to pay anywhere from $3,000 to $7,500 for a 12’ by 20’ saltwater pool. The exact price will ultimately depend on the materials you end up using.

Inground saltwater pools require more preparation work and are considerably pricier than their above-ground alternatives. As such, you will be faced with a hefty bill of $23,000 to $30,000 for a similarly-sized pool.

If you already have a chlorine pool, you can save significantly by converting it into a saltwater pool. Installing a saltwater system will set you back $400 to $1,000 for an above-ground pool and $800 to $2,500 for an inground one.

Saltwater Pool Installation Costs

The installation of a saltwater pool can cost $75 to $125 per square foot, depending on the pool size and type, materials used, and additional features you choose to install. Most homeowners will spend anywhere from $30,000 to $60,000 when installing a saltwater pool, averaging at around $37,500.

Overview of Saltwater Pool Installation Costs

When determining how much is salt water pool installation, there are several factors worth keeping in mind:

• Site preparation: up to $20,000. Preparing the terrain to install a pool can quickly add up to $20,000 if your pool contractor needs to remove any trees, grade the ground, build a retaining wall, or reposition a septic tank.
• Labor and excavation: $8,000 to $30,000. The labor cost starts at $8,000, which does not include excavation but covers all installation work. Excavation will typically cost $920 to $1,230 or more, depending on the pool size. All labor including fencing, patio, plumbing, and electrical work can add up to $30,000.
• Pool permit: $200 to $300. Depending on the state you live in, you might need to spend $200 to $300 to obtain a residential pool permit.
• Water delivery: $80 to $1,200. A typical 15,000-gallon pool will cost $80 to $160 to fill up with a garden hose or $600 to $1,200 if water were to be brought by a truck.

Saltwater Pool Installation: DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

If you choose to install an above-ground saltwater pool, you could save big by building the pool yourself. You could also save money on DIY maintenance in the long run, as your above-ground pool will have plumbing and pumps readily accessible when needed. 

In addition, if you already have a chlorinated pool, you could install a salt chlorinator and convert the pool yourself, spending around $400 to $800 in total. Alternatively, hiring a contractor to install the system will cost you an additional $300 to $500 in labor costs.

Nonetheless, if you wish to build a brand-new inground pool, it is recommended to hire a professional pool contractor. Installing an inground pool is a complex affair, which requires special permits, excavation and rock removal, and complex plumbing and electrical systems.

Saltwater Pool Accessories and Add-Ons Costs

A saltwater pool comes with similar pool accessories and add-ons as any other type of pool, - plus the saltwater filtration system.

• Saltwater chlorinator: $600 to $2,200. The cost of a saltwater chlorinator can range from $600 to $2,200, depending on the size of the pool. On average, you can expect to pay around $870 per 10,000 gallons of water.
• Pool heater: $1,600 to $3,800. A typical pool heater for an inground saltwater pool will cost anywhere from $1,600 to $3,800. You will also need to buy a corrosion-resistant check valve for your saltwater system, which will set you back another $70.
• Fencing: $600 to $4,400. Depending on local safety regulations, you might be required to install a fence around your saltwater pool. This can cost you anywhere from $600 to $4,400.
• Pool cover: $600 to $2,200. Installing a cover on your pool will help to keep debris out of the water. This feature is priced at around $600 to $2,200.
• Lighting: $700 to $1,800. Depending on how extravagant you choose to go with your pool lighting, you can expect to spend anywhere from $700 to $1,800.
• Landscaping: $3,000 to $5,000. Typical swimming pool landscaping costs range from $3,000 to $5,000. If you wish to splurge on custom shrubbery, water fountains, and masonry paths, don’t be surprised to spend well beyond this number.
• Decking: $5,000 to $20,000. Depending on the size and material of the deck, most homeowners spend an additional $5,000 to $20,000 on this popular add-on.
• Spa: $10,000 to $13,000. Adding a spa is a popular choice for inground saltwater pools. This luxury can cost you around $10,000 to $13,000 on top of the pool costs.
• Insurance: $25 to $75/month. Finally, having a saltwater pool in your yard will likely raise your homeowner insurance premium by $25 to $75 per month.

Cost of Converting a Chlorine Pool into a Saltwater Pool

If you already have a chlorine pool in your yard, you could convert it into a saltwater pool at a relatively low cost. The biggest expense here will be the saltwater chlorine generator, which can cost up to $2,500 to install. This number includes both the price of the generator itself, as well as the cost of hiring a contractor to get it installed.

Additionally, you will need to stock up on salt, spending no less than $100 on several bags, depending on the size of the pool.

Saltwater Pool Costs by Geographic Location

Your geographic location will determine the exact labor and material costs based on the following factors:

• Access to pool contractors. It may be easier to find an available and skilled pool contractor in a warm-weather state where pools are common. As such, it is typical to pay 15% to 25% less for pool installation in the states of Arizona, Texas, or Florida, as compared to more northern states.
• Cost of living. Naturally, a higher cost of living means higher labor rates and total expenses associated with building a saltwater pool. If you live in a densely populated urban area or in expensive states like New York or California, you will end up paying more for your pool installation. Maintenance costs will differ as well: for example, a gallon of water costs $0.011 in San Fransisco and only $0.002 in Tennessee.
• Climate of the region. If you live in an area with a cooler climate, you can expect to pay more for installing a water heater and keeping the water at the right temperature on a continuous basis.

Saltwater Pool Maintenance Costs

The major maintenance you will need to do for a saltwater pool is to add salt on a regular basis. Most salt generators require a concentration of salt anywhere between 2,800 and 3,500 parts per million, so you will need to test the water and add salt accordingly.

In general, how much is saltwater pool maintenance will depend on the following:

• Cleaning: $50 per month. If you were to hire somebody to skim the water and test the salt levels for you, you would end up spending around $50 per month.
• Maintenance: $25 to $45 per month. Salt water pool costs per month will increase by another $25 to $45 if you wish to hire somebody to regularly check water levels and add pool salt.
• Water: $80 to $200. It is typical to spend between $4 and $10 per 1,000 gallstones of water. Since an average pool holds around 20,000 gallons, the water cost to fill the pool for the season adds up to $80 to $200.
• Electricity: $780 to $1,200 per year. Depending on where you live, you will need to pay $780 to $1,200 per year for electrical bills. Having a saltwater system will add $35 to $50 to your yearly energy bill.
• Pool salt: $100 to $400 per year. Every 2,000 gallons of water require one 40-pound bag of pool salt, which can cost around $10 to $40. If you have a small pool, you may get away with a couple of bags, while a larger pool will need seven or more bags of salt.
• Replacement parts and repairs: $250 to $1,500. Depending on the issue at hand, replacement parts and necessary repairs can cost between $250 and $1,500. 

Tips for Keeping Costs Down

While the cost of a swimming pool can run high, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep your pool-related expenses under control:

• Install an above-ground pool. Above-ground pools are considerably cheaper than similarly-sized inground pools, and they can use a saltwater chlorination system as well.
• Choose more affordable materials. If you do decide to go with an inground pool, you can still make some savings by opting for a vinyl liner pool rather than a concrete or fiberglass one. With above-ground pools, opt for steel, as it is often the cheapest material to use.
• Stick with the basics. When planning the design of your pool, focus on the basic features and leave nice-to-haves like a large deck or a water slide for later.
• Keep the size small. A small saltwater pool requires less work and materials, which means that it will cost less than a larger pool with similar features.
• Order in advance. For maximum savings, it is recommended to order your pool during fall or winter the year before you are planning to have the pool installed.

Natural Swimming Pool Financing Options

Even if you opt for an above-ground saltwater pool, the entire project will cost you at least a few thousand dollars. If you don’t have the full sum upfront, you can take advantage of the following pool financing options:

• Personal loan or “pool loan.” You can obtain an unsecured personal loan or a special “pool loan” issued specifically to cover the costs associated with building a pool. Some great lenders to keep in mind include Upstart, Best Egg, and LightStream.
• Home equity loan or line of credit. A home equity loan or line of credit financing allows you to borrow cash against the equity accumulated in your home. With a line of credit, you will be able to access the money on an as-needed basis. With a home equity loan, on the other hand, you will be given a lump sum right away to be repaid later.
• Credit card or line of credit. If you have a credit card or a regular line of credit with sufficient limits, you can use this option to pay for your swimming pool purchase. Make sure to keep up with regular payments, however!
• Retail financing. Some swimming pool companies offer retail financing, allowing the customers to pay the full sum over time, in regular installments.

While all of these options may seem attractive, remember to perform due diligence and carefully review the offered rates and terms, along with possible additional fees and repayment conditions.

Final Word

When it comes to the factors determining how much is a saltwater pool, the options are plentiful, and the possibilities are endless. However, despite your material choice and design preferences, installing a saltwater pool in your backyard will be a big investment, often ranging from $30,000 to $60,000 for a standard-sized pool. Luckily, several financing options are available to help take the burden off your wallet. Just don’t forget to do your research before buying the swimming pool of your dreams!