Gas tank water heater replacement cost in Providence, RI
Installed, 50 gallon, standard vent
A typical gas water heater (50 gallon, standard vent) costs about $2,100 installed in the Providence area, 5% above the national figure, because plumbers here earn a median $38 an hour against $31 nationally.
Prices by size in Providence
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 gallon, standard vent | $1,700 | $2,000 | $2,600 | $1,900 |
| 50 gallon, standard vent | $1,750 | $2,100 | $2,750 | $2,000 |
| 75 gallon, standard vent | $2,500 | $2,900 | $3,500 | $2,800 |
| 40 gallon, power vent | $2,500 | $2,850 | $3,400 | $2,750 |
| 50 gallon, power vent | $2,700 | $2,950 | $3,650 | $2,850 |
Local labor: what plumbers earn here
| Hourly wage | Providence metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $28 | $24 |
| Median | $38 | $31 |
| 75th percentile | $51 | $41 |
The Providence market
Providence's permit rules for replacing a water heater, furnace, boiler, AC or heat pump could not be confirmed from city sources for this page, including fees, licensing and inspections. Check with the City of Providence's Department of Inspection and Standards, or with Warwick, Cranston and the other cities that issue their own permits. Rhode Island's housing stock is distinctive: EIA's 2020 survey found 33% of homes heat with a hot water or steam boiler and 31% burn fuel oil, while just 31% have central air. Natural gas still leads at 53%. The state Office of Energy Resources runs the Clean Heat RI heat pump program, and its federally funded HEAR rebates launched in limited form; since September 1, 2026, equipment rebates no longer cover switching from a fossil fuel appliance to an electric one.
Gas heats water in about half of Rhode Island homes and oil in 19%. If your Providence home has a boiler, check whether the hot water comes from a tank heated by that boiler before collecting quotes for a standalone heater. A gas-to-gas or oil-to-oil swap is usually the simplest job. Switching from oil to gas depends on a gas line reaching the house, so ask the utility before planning on it.
Permits in Providence
We couldn't confirm all of Providence's rules from official pages. Check with the building department before work starts.
| Permit for this job | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
|---|---|
| Fee | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
| Who can pull it | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
| Inspection | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
Rebates in Rhode Island
HEAR: open with limits. HOMES: open with limits. Source: Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, checked October 13, 2026.
- Clean Heat RI (OER): State heat pump incentives incl. moderate/low-income rounds
- Rhode Island Energy efficiency programs: Utility heat pump, HPWH and weatherization rebates
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Providence
- 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
- Providence, RI permit source: Permits/Inspections Request, Brochures, Applications & FAQ listed
- Providence, RI permit source: RI adopted 2021 ICC codes and 2024 IECC with transition
- Rhode Island OER: Home Energy Rebates
- Rhode Island OER: Clean Heat RI
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for space heating fuel in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- EIA RECS 2020: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Providence-Warwick, RI-MA (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)