Gas tank water heater replacement cost in Boston, MA
Installed, 50 gallon, standard vent
A typical gas water heater (50 gallon, standard vent) costs about $2,250 installed in the Boston area, 13% above the national figure, because plumbers here earn a median $47 an hour against $31 nationally.
Prices by size in Boston
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 gallon, standard vent | $1,750 | $2,150 | $2,700 | $1,900 |
| 50 gallon, standard vent | $1,800 | $2,250 | $2,900 | $2,000 |
| 75 gallon, standard vent | $2,550 | $3,050 | $3,600 | $2,800 |
| 40 gallon, power vent | $2,550 | $3,000 | $3,500 | $2,750 |
| 50 gallon, power vent | $2,700 | $3,100 | $3,750 | $2,850 |
Local labor: what plumbers earn here
| Hourly wage | Boston metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $30 | $24 |
| Median | $47 | $31 |
| 75th percentile | $57 | $41 |
The Boston market
Boston's Inspectional Services Department requires a plumbing permit to replace or install a water heater or boiler when no other work, such as opening walls, is involved. These permits are available to licensed contractors only: a homeowner must hire someone with a valid Massachusetts trade license to apply and do the work. The fee is a $20 application fee plus $5 per fixture, though the city does not say whether a water heater counts as one fixture. After the job, the contractor schedules an inspection through the ISD call center and must be on site for it. City pages checked do not cover furnace, central AC or heat pump replacement, or a separate gas permit for gas heaters, so check with ISD. Older housing shows in the data: EIA found 26% of Massachusetts homes heat with a boiler and 15% heat water with fuel oil. Cambridge, Newton and New Hampshire towns have their own departments.
Gas heats water in 52% of Massachusetts homes, and some of the rest use oil, often through an indirect tank or a coil in the boiler. That link between boiler and hot water trips people up. Replace an oil boiler and the hot water may go with it. Before you plan either job, find out whether your water heater stands alone or depends on the boiler. Ask the plumber to quote both paths so you can compare them side by side.
Permits in Boston
| Permit for this job | Yes (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | $20 application fee plus $5 per fixture (plumbing permit) |
| Who can pull it | Massachusetts-licensed contractor only; homeowners must hire one |
| Inspection | Yes |
Rebates in Massachusetts
HEAR: status unclear. HOMES: status unclear. Source: Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), checked October 13, 2026.
- Mass Save: Utility collaborative: heat pump (air-source, ground-source) rebates, 0% HEAT Loan, income-based enhanced offers
- Mass Save/state interest-free home energy loans: Interest-free loans 'up to $25,000 for insulation, heat pumps and related improvements' (announced 2026-09-03)
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Boston
- Gas tankless water heater
- Gas furnace
- Central air conditioner
- Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler)
Gas tank water heater cost in other metros
Sources
- City of Boston: Install or replace a water heater or boiler
- City of Boston: Plumbing permit
- Mass Save: residential programs
- Mass.gov: interest-free loans for home energy upgrades (Sept 2026)
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- https://www.boston.gov/boston-permitting/install-or-replace
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH (47-2152 plumbers)
- DOE Consumer Water Heaters Final Rule TSD (Apr 2024), Table 8.2.7 (2022$); labor share from App. 8D (3.75 h + trip, $420 of $791)