Cost to install central air in Phoenix: 2023 spending

The Census AHS published a median of $8,000 for this category in Phoenix.

2023 household spending

$8,000

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: ±$834 at the survey’s 90% confidence level.

How Phoenix compares

National median, same category
$5,500
Rank, highest median first
2 of 15 published metros
Metro figures available
15 of 15
$4,000$8,440
Phoenix: $8,000. This falls between the lowest and highest published metro medians.

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.