Furnace replacement cost in 2026: what's normal, and what's not
Updated August 2026
for a gas forced-air furnace, nationally. High-efficiency condensing models sit in the upper half of that range, and replacing central AC at the same time is a separate cost on top.
These are ballparks, not quotes. They come from federal labor statistics (BLS wage data by state) combined with typical equipment pricing, so your actual quote depends on your home, your city, and what the job includes.
What actually moves the price
Furnace quotes for the same house routinely land thousands of dollars apart. The spread usually comes from these:
- Efficiency tier. An 80% furnace vents up the existing flue; a 95%+ condensing furnace costs more up front, needs PVC venting and a condensate drain, and burns noticeably less gas. In cold climates the gas savings are real; in mild ones the math is closer.
- Size, and whether anyone measured for it. Bigger is not better: an oversized furnace short-cycles, wears faster, and heats unevenly. A careful contractor sizes the unit with a load calculation (called a Manual J), not by copying the old furnace's sticker.
- Labor rates where you live. An HVAC tech's hour in Washington, DC costs roughly 75% more than the same hour in Mississippi, and that spread shows up directly in installed prices.
- Venting and code work. A flue liner, gas line changes, an updated shutoff, or condensate routing are legitimate add-ons, but each should appear as its own line item.
- Staging and blower type. Single-stage is the base price. Two-stage and variable-speed models cost more and run quieter with steadier temperatures.
- Emergency timing. A no-heat call in January pays peak rates. If your furnace is 15 or older, collecting quotes in the off-season is the cheapest version of this job.
- Permits. Most areas require one, typically $50 to $250, and the inspection that comes with it protects you.
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Furnace replacement cost by state
Installed ranges for a gas forced-air furnace, adjusted for each state's labor rates (BLS wage data, HVAC and related trades). Statewide averages: large metros usually run higher.
| State | Gas furnace, installed |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $3,250 to $8,500 |
| Alaska | $5,200 to $13,700 |
| Arizona | $3,700 to $9,700 |
| Arkansas | $3,150 to $8,300 |
| California | $4,900 to $12,900 |
| Colorado | $4,000 to $10,500 |
| Connecticut | $4,500 to $11,800 |
| Delaware | $3,850 to $10,100 |
| Washington, DC | $5,450 to $14,300 |
| Florida | $3,350 to $8,800 |
| Georgia | $3,550 to $9,400 |
| Hawaii | $5,300 to $14,000 |
| Idaho | $3,500 to $9,200 |
| Illinois | $5,100 to $13,400 |
| Indiana | $3,750 to $9,900 |
| Iowa | $3,900 to $10,300 |
| Kansas | $3,650 to $9,600 |
| Kentucky | $3,400 to $8,900 |
| Louisiana | $3,300 to $8,700 |
| Maine | $3,650 to $9,600 |
| Maryland | $4,300 to $11,300 |
| Massachusetts | $4,950 to $13,000 |
| Michigan | $4,100 to $10,800 |
| Minnesota | $4,650 to $12,200 |
| Mississippi | $3,100 to $8,100 |
| Missouri | $3,900 to $10,200 |
| Montana | $3,600 to $9,500 |
| Nebraska | $3,750 to $9,900 |
| Nevada | $4,050 to $10,700 |
| New Hampshire | $3,950 to $10,400 |
| New Jersey | $5,000 to $13,100 |
| New Mexico | $3,450 to $9,100 |
| New York | $4,800 to $12,600 |
| North Carolina | $3,400 to $9,000 |
| North Dakota | $4,250 to $11,200 |
| Ohio | $4,050 to $10,600 |
| Oklahoma | $3,400 to $8,900 |
| Oregon | $4,850 to $12,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $4,000 to $10,500 |
| Rhode Island | $4,350 to $11,500 |
| South Carolina | $3,400 to $9,000 |
| South Dakota | $3,250 to $8,600 |
| Tennessee | $3,350 to $8,800 |
| Texas | $3,550 to $9,300 |
| Utah | $3,600 to $9,500 |
| Vermont | $3,700 to $9,800 |
| Virginia | $3,800 to $10,000 |
| Washington | $5,150 to $13,600 |
| West Virginia | $3,100 to $8,200 |
| Wisconsin | $4,200 to $11,000 |
| Wyoming | $3,800 to $10,000 |
Repair it or replace it?
Most furnaces last 15 to 20 years. Where yours sits in that window is the biggest factor in the repair-or-replace call.
- Under 10 years old: repair. Igniters, flame sensors, pressure switches, and blower capacitors are routine fixes, typically $150 to $600 with labor.
- 12 to 15+ years with a major failure: judgment territory. A large repair on a furnace near the end of its life often just prepays part of the replacement.
- A cracked heat exchanger: when it's real, it's a legitimate safety issue and usually means replacement on an older furnace. It's also the diagnosis most worth verifying: ask the tech to show you the crack on camera or in a photo, and a second opinion before a $5,000+ decision is normal, not rude. If a tech shuts the furnace off over a suspected crack, leave it off until the diagnosis is resolved, and make sure your carbon monoxide alarms work either way.
Not sure how old your furnace is? Text Dun a photo of the data plate inside the front panel and it can tell you what you have and what's typical for it.
Common questions
How long does a furnace replacement take?
Usually one day. A like-for-like swap takes 4 to 8 hours; venting changes, duct modifications, or a same-day AC replacement can extend it.
Is a high-efficiency furnace worth it?
It depends on your climate and gas prices. A 95%+ condensing furnace costs more up front and needs different venting, but in a cold climate the fuel savings add up over its life. In mild climates the payback is slower, and a well-installed 80% unit is a reasonable choice where code allows it.
Do I have to replace my AC at the same time?
No. They are separate systems that share the blower. That said, if both are near the end of their lives, pricing them as one job is often cheaper than two separate installs a couple of years apart.
A tech says my heat exchanger is cracked. Do I really need a new furnace?
A genuinely cracked heat exchanger is a real safety problem because it can let combustion gases into your air, and on an older furnace it usually does mean replacement. It is also a diagnosis worth verifying: ask to see the crack in a photo or on camera, and consider a second opinion before committing to a replacement. If the tech shut the furnace off, leave it off until the diagnosis is resolved, and make sure you have working carbon monoxide alarms either way.
How long do furnaces last?
Most gas furnaces last 15 to 20 years. Regular filter changes and an annual tune-up help them reach the far end of that range.
Why are furnace quotes so different from each other?
Efficiency tier, staging, brand, and how much venting and code work is included all move the number, on top of regional labor rates. Ask each contractor for an itemized quote and check whether the size was based on a load calculation rather than a guess.
More cost guides
What other common jobs run, from the same data:
Cost figures are informational estimates based on public labor statistics and typical equipment pricing. They are not quotes, and Dun has not inspected your home.