Cost to install central air in Boston: 2023 spending
The Census AHS published a median of $8,440 for this category in Boston.
2023 household spending
$8,440
For owner-occupied homes and work completed in the two years before the 2023 interview. This is historical spending, not a current quote or a price per square foot.
Published margin of error: ±$1,453 at the survey’s 90% confidence level.
How Boston compares
- National median, same category
- $5,500
- Rank, highest median first
- 1 of 15 published metros
- Metro figures available
- 15 of 15
Every metro in this survey table has a published median for this category. Equal medians share a rank. This compares survey results, not the price of identical work.
What this figure includes
Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning projects with differing equipment and scopes.
The Census category is “HVAC” within “Interior Additions and Replacements.” Different project sizes, specifications and amounts of work contribute to the median. The survey does not hold those features constant.
Use it beside a written scope
Are removal, ducts, controls, electrical work and commissioning included?
A difference between this figure and your quote does not by itself make the quote high or low. Separate material quantities, removal, preparation, access and excluded work before comparing contractors.
Then use the matching quote worksheet to keep actual prices and unresolved work separate.