Gas tank water heater replacement cost in Virginia Beach, VA
Installed, 50 gallon, standard vent
A typical gas water heater (50 gallon, standard vent) costs about $1,950 installed in the Virginia Beach area, 3% below the national figure, because plumbers here earn a median $30 an hour against $31 nationally.
Prices by size in Virginia Beach
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 gallon, standard vent | $1,650 | $1,900 | $2,200 | $1,900 |
| 50 gallon, standard vent | $1,700 | $1,950 | $2,350 | $2,000 |
| 75 gallon, standard vent | $2,450 | $2,750 | $3,100 | $2,800 |
| 40 gallon, power vent | $2,450 | $2,700 | $2,950 | $2,750 |
| 50 gallon, power vent | $2,650 | $2,800 | $3,200 | $2,850 |
Local labor: what plumbers earn here
| Hourly wage | Virginia Beach metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $24 | $24 |
| Median | $30 | $31 |
| 75th percentile | $31 | $41 |
The Virginia Beach market
Virginia Beach's current permit requirements for replacing a water heater, furnace, AC or heat pump could not be confirmed from official city sources for this page, including fees, homeowner eligibility and inspections. Contact the city's Permits and Inspections division before work starts. The metro covers several independent cities (Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk and others) plus northeastern North Carolina counties, and each runs its own permit office. Statewide, EIA's 2020 survey shows Virginia leaning electric: 50% of homes heat with electricity, 27% with a central heat pump and 63% heat water electrically, while 83% have central air. Virginia's federally funded home energy rebates had no launch date as of October 2026; the state's Virginia Energy Connect site lists other incentives.
A like-for-like Virginia Beach replacement is often an electric tank. That same electric supply can usually run a heat pump water heater if the space around the tank is large enough, so ask for both prices. A heat pump water heater also needs a condensate drain. Ask whether a larger tank would need a new breaker, and whether haul-away is included in the quote.
Permits in Virginia Beach
We couldn't confirm all of Virginia Beach'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 Virginia
HEAR: announced, not open yet. HOMES: announced, not open yet. Source: Virginia Department of Energy, checked October 13, 2026.
- Virginia Energy Connect: State one-stop incentive finder
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Virginia Beach
- 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
- Virginia Beach, VA permit source: Permit menu (Building, Residential, Commercial, Trades Permits);
- Virginia Energy: Home Energy Rebates FAQ
- Virginia Energy Connect
- 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, Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC (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)