Central AC Replacement Costs by City

Fair-price benchmarks for a mid-tier central AC condenser + matched coil, like-for-like, across 15 U.S. markets. Includes the R-410A→R-454B/R-32 refrigerant transition context. Click any city for the full breakdown — permit info, red flags, and what to ask.

Refrigerant transition (2025–2026): New central AC equipment ships with R-454B or R-32, not R-410A. Your existing R-410A system is legal and still serviceable — recharges just keep getting pricier as supply tightens. "We can't get R-410A, you must replace everything" is misleading. A big leak on a 12+ year-old system is a legitimate repair-vs-replace decision; blanket pressure to replace is not.

☀️ Cooling-Dominant Markets

Houston, TX

$4,900–$8,800 installed ~$6,850 typical ↑ $11,000 = second opinion

Phoenix, AZ

$5,100–$9,200 installed ~$7,150 typical ↑ $11,500 = second opinion

Tampa, FL

$5,050–$9,100 installed ~$7,050 typical ↑ $11,350 = second opinion

Dallas, TX

$5,000–$9,000 installed ~$7,000 typical ↑ $11,250 = second opinion

Miami, FL

$5,250–$9,450 installed ~$7,350 typical ↑ $11,800 = second opinion

Orlando, FL

$5,000–$9,000 installed ~$7,000 typical ↑ $11,250 = second opinion

Jacksonville, FL

$4,900–$8,800 installed ~$6,850 typical ↑ $11,000 = second opinion

San Antonio, TX

$4,850–$8,750 installed ~$6,800 typical ↑ $10,900 = second opinion

Austin, TX

$5,100–$9,200 installed ~$7,150 typical ↑ $11,500 = second opinion

❄️ Heating-Dominant Markets

Chicago, IL

$5,600–$10,100 installed ~$7,850 typical ↑ $12,600 = second opinion

Buffalo, NY

$5,300–$9,550 installed ~$7,400 typical ↑ $11,900 = second opinion

Minneapolis, MN

$5,500–$9,900 installed ~$7,700 typical ↑ $12,400 = second opinion

⚡ Mixed-Climate Markets

Atlanta, GA

$5,000–$9,000 installed ~$7,000 typical ↑ $11,250 = second opinion

Charlotte, NC

$5,000–$9,000 installed ~$7,000 typical ↑ $11,250 = second opinion

Nashville, TN

$5,050–$9,100 installed ~$7,050 typical ↑ $11,350 = second opinion

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