Central air conditioner replacement cost in Miami, FL
Installed, 3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil)
A typical central AC (3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil)) costs about $4,650 installed in the Miami area, about the same as the national figure, because HVAC technicians here earn a median $28 an hour against $29 nationally.
Prices by size in Miami
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $3,150 | $3,500 | $4,550 | $3,500 |
| 3 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $4,100 | $4,650 | $6,050 | $4,650 |
| 4 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $5,450 | $5,900 | $7,550 | $6,000 |
| 5 ton (outdoor unit + matching coil) | $6,700 | $7,300 | $8,750 | $7,400 |
Local labor: what HVAC technicians earn here
| Hourly wage | Miami metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $23 | $23 |
| Median | $28 | $29 |
| 75th percentile | $35 | $37 |
The Miami market
The City of Miami's Easy Permit catalog lists water heater change-outs under plumbing, gas and electrical trades, and A/C change-out under electrical. Mechanical Easy Permits are limited to like-for-like replacements. Florida's Building Commission has held that the state code requires a permit to replace a gas or electric water heater unless the local jurisdiction has an exemption. The city's minimum permit fee is $110. Miami-Dade County guidance says only licensed contractors or owner-builders may obtain a permit, though that brochure is old, and the city's Easy Permit page mentions only qualified contractors in good standing. Inspection details were not found, so ask the city. This is an all-electric, cooling-first market: EIA found 88% of Florida homes heat water with electricity and 90% have central air. Fort Lauderdale, Hialeah and the Palm Beach cities issue their own permits.
The AC carries the house here. Upsizing or relocating the unit makes the job bigger, so ask any bidder who changes the size to explain why. Salt air near the coast can shorten coil life, so ask about corrosion-resistant coil options and anchoring for wind. Humidity never lets up in Miami. Ask where the condensate line drains and whether a float switch will shut the unit off if it clogs.
Permits in Miami
| Permit for this job | Yes (A/C change-out listed as an Easy Permit item; mechanical Easy Permits limited to like-for-like replacements) (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | City of Miami fee schedule: minimum permit fee $110.00 (Sec. 10-18, building/plumbing/mechanical/electrical). No itemized A/C change-out or water heater permit line found (water heater appears only as an annual inspection item at $85). |
| Who can pull it | Licensed contractor or owner/builder (county guidance); City Easy Permits are issued to qualified contractors in good standing |
| Inspection | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
Rebates in Florida
HEAR: status unclear. HOMES: status unclear. Source: FDACS Office of Energy, checked October 13, 2026.
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Miami
- Gas tank water heater
- Gas tankless water heater
- Gas furnace
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Central air conditioner cost in other metros
Sources
- City of Miami: Get an Easy Permit
- City of Miami building fee schedule
- Miami-Dade County home renovation brochure
- Florida Building Commission declaratory statement on water heater replacement permits
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL (49-9021 HVAC mechanics and installers)
- DOE Residential CAC & Heat Pumps Direct Final Rule TSD (Dec 2016), Table 8.2.30, split AC coil-only (2015$; 4-ton interpolated)