Cost to install central air: what owners paid in 2023
Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning projects with differing equipment and scopes.
The table shows the 2023 American Housing Survey’s median spending for owner-occupied homes. Projects were completed in the two years before interview; these figures are not current contractor prices.
National median for this survey category
$5,500
This historical median describes the category above, across different project sizes and scopes. It does not price a matching job at your address.
| Metro area | 2023 median | Publication state |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | $5,800 | Published |
| Los Angeles | $7,500 | Published |
| Chicago | $4,023 | Published |
| Dallas | $6,000 | Published |
| Houston | $6,000 | Published |
| Philadelphia | $6,000 | Published |
| Washington DC | $7,000 | Published |
| Miami | $5,000 | Published |
| Atlanta | $5,200 | Published |
| Boston | $8,440 | Published |
| San Francisco | $7,501 | Published |
| Phoenix | $8,000 | Published |
| Riverside | $7,500 | Published |
| Detroit | $4,000 | Published |
| Seattle | $7,500 | Published |
Keep the category’s limits in view
The source category is “HVAC” under “Interior Additions and Replacements.” A median describes the middle of reported spending; it is not an average bid, a recommended budget or a standardized job.
Missing or withheld values stay unknown. They are not zero and are not filled using neighboring metros. The survey’s metro names and boundaries are retained; no county or ZIP estimate is inferred.
Before comparing your quotes
Are removal, ducts, controls, electrical work and commissioning included?
Keep the actual quotes in the project’s comparison worksheet.