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How much does a water softener cost?
A standard water softener costs about $1,500 installed on average, and a single-tank ion exchange model usually runs $500 to $1,700. Another guide puts a whole-house salt softener at $800 to $3,000 installed.
These are national figures, so expect your quote to vary with the unit, your plumbing, and local labor rates. The softener itself is often the smaller decision: where it goes, what plumbing it needs, and how much salt it uses over the years all change the real price.
If you already know you want a certified salt-based softener, see our best water softener picks, which compares three on flow, salt use, and iron limits.
How much does each type of water softener cost?
A single-tank ion exchange softener is the usual choice and the cheapest type that removes hardness. Dual-tank systems cost more. Magnetic and salt-free units can cost less, but they don’t remove hardness the way ion exchange does.
| Type | Average cost | Removes hardness? |
|---|---|---|
| Single-tank ion exchange | $500 to $1,700 | Yes |
| Double-tank ion exchange | $1,000 to $5,000 | Yes |
| Salt-free conditioner | $800 to $4,000 | No |
| Magnetic | $200 to $600 | No |
Cost ranges from Angi’s water softener cost guide, which doesn’t say whether they include installation. Alert Plumber says salt-free conditioners don’t remove hardness minerals, and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension says the same of magnetic water treatment. See our hard water guide.
How does capacity change the price?
Bigger softeners cost more. Capacity is measured in grains, but the number in a softener’s name is a nominal size. What it removes between regenerations depends on the salt dose: Aquasana’s 40,000-grain SimplySoft is rated for 13,269 grains at a 3 lb dose. These are unit prices, before installation.
| Capacity | Unit price |
|---|---|
| 24,000 grains | $300 to $500 |
| 32,000 grains | $400 to $1,000 |
| 48,000 grains | $600 to $1,200 |
| 64,000 grains | $800 to $1,500 |
| 80,000 grains | $1,500 to $1,800 |
Materials only, from Angi’s water softener cost guide. Our guide to the best softeners explains what size you need.
How much does it cost to install a water softener?
Expect about $300 to $600 in labor for a typical whole-house salt softener, which covers the bypass valve, drain line, and brine connection. Wider estimates run $150 to $1,000, depending on the unit, the location, and how much plumbing is needed. Installation usually takes two to four hours.
| Possible extra | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Plumbing permit, where required | $75 to $200 |
| New outlet from an electrician | $100 to $200 |
| New pipe | $0.50 to $8 per linear foot |
Labor and extras from Alert Plumber’s installation cost guide and Angi. Ask for a written estimate before any work begins.
Installing it yourself saves the labor, but you’ll be working on your main water line. Aquasana recommends a licensed plumber or certified installer for its softeners, and says installation must comply with state and local plumbing and electrical codes.
What does a water softener cost to run?
Salt is the regular running cost, at $5 to $10 for a 40 lb bag. Potassium chloride, the alternative to sodium chloride, costs far more, at $50 to $70 a bag.
A home softening 60,000 gallons a year of 15 grain water uses about 4.4 to 5.1 bags a year on our picks, or roughly $25 to $50 in salt. That’s our calculation from each maker’s best efficiency rating, so it’s a low estimate. One installation guide puts annual salt cost at $75 to $200.
There’s other upkeep, too. Aquasana recommends a softener cleaner every 3 months for indoor installations and cleaning the brine tank every 2 to 3 years. Repairs average $150 to $900 when something does fail, and can reach $2,000.
What will a softener cost over 10 years?
About $1,150 to $2,200 for our three picks, counting the unit, a plumber, and salt at our low estimate. The cheapest of the three to buy also has the lowest total in this calculation, because the difference in salt use between them is small. It isn’t a full cost of ownership, since it leaves out repairs and upkeep.
| Softener | Unit price | With $300 to $600 labor | 10 years of salt | 10-year total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenmore 350 | About $621 | $921 to $1,221 | $225 to $450 | $1,146 to $1,671 |
| Aquasana SimplySoft | $749 | $1,049 to $1,349 | $255 to $510 | $1,304 to $1,859 |
| EcoPure EP42 | About $1,155 | $1,455 to $1,755 | $220 to $440 | $1,675 to $2,195 |
Our calculation, using Amazon prices on 4 November 2026, which change. Salt uses 4.5, 5.1, and 4.4 bags a year at $5 to $10 a bag, from each maker’s best efficiency rating. It leaves out repairs, cleaner, permits, and water for regeneration, and the Aquasana’s installation kit, which is sold separately on Amazon, along with the pre-filter cartridges it uses. Aquasana says to replace those every 2 months, or every 6 months with its low-maintenance version. At $75 to $200 a year, 10 years of salt would be $750 to $2,000.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy a water softener?
Buying is usually cheaper if you stay put. Rental runs about $25 to $50 a month, which is $3,000 to $6,000 over 10 years. That’s more than the 10-year total for any of our picks on our salt estimate, though a rental may cover some service, so ask what’s included.
Aquasana SimplySoft
Kenmore 350
Common questions
Why do water softener quotes vary so much?
Quotes change with the unit, its location, and the complexity of the job, and new pipe or a new outlet adds cost. Get a written estimate that lists the unit and the labor separately.
Is a water softener worth the cost?
It’s worth pricing if your water tests above about 7 grains per gallon, where University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension classes water as hard, and scale is a nuisance in your home. Test first: see our hard water guide.
Does potassium chloride cost more than salt?
Yes, by a wide margin. It runs $50 to $70 for a 40 lb bag, against $5 to $10 for sodium chloride. If you used it at 5 bags a year, that’s $250 to $350 rather than $25 to $50.
Do I need a permit to install a water softener?
Sometimes. It depends on where you live and the plumbing work involved. One installation guide estimates fees of $75 to $200. Ask your local building department or your plumber before work starts.
How long does a softener take to install?
Usually two to four hours, according to cost guides. Ask your plumber for a time on your job if it needs a new drain line, pipe, or outlet.
Sources
Featured image: Water preparing bottles by Muselsom, cropped, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Prices as of November 12, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.