Well Drilling Cost Calculator
Drillers charge $25–$65 per foot for a residential well (HomeAdvisor, updated Jun 19, 2026), and that rate times your depth is most of the bill. With the defaults below (150 feet, unknown geology, pump and pressure tank included), our calculator returns $5,250–$14,250. Answer four quick questions for a realistic range for your situation.
Drillers price per foot, and your local water table sets the footage — so treat this as a planning number and get a written per-foot quote from a driller who knows your county's well logs.
For example: a 200-foot well through sedimentary rock with a pump and pressure tank comes to $8,500–$15,500 here: $7,000–$11,000 for drilling and casing at $35–$55 a foot, plus the permit, pump and tank.
Well drilling cost by depth and geology
Complete residential well system costs (drilling + pump + pressure tank + permit) at common depths:
| Depth | Sand/gravel | Sedimentary rock | Granite |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ft | $4,000–$8,500 | $5,000–$10,000 | $7,000–$13,000 |
| 150 ft | $5,250–$10,500 | $6,750–$12,750 | $9,750–$17,250 |
| 200 ft | $6,500–$12,500 | $8,500–$15,500 | $12,500–$21,500 |
| 300 ft | $9,000–$16,500 | $12,000–$21,000 | $18,000–$30,000 |
| 500 ft | $14,000–$24,500 | $19,000–$32,000 | $29,000–$47,000 |
Per-foot rates: sand $25–$40, sedimentary $35–$55, granite $55–$85. Add pump ($900–$2,500), pressure tank ($400–$1,500), permit ($200–$500). Source: Angi/HomeGuide 2026.
How this works
This estimate multiplies your depth by 2026 per-foot drilling-and-casing rates published by Angi, HomeGuide, and HomeAdvisor, broken out by geology: $25–$40/ft through sand and gravel, $35–$55/ft through sedimentary rock, and $55–$85/ft through granite and other crystalline rock. When geology is unknown we use a $25–$65/ft band, which covers the large majority of residential jobs.
On top of the borehole we add the items that appear on nearly every drilling quote: a county well permit ($200–$500, varies widely by jurisdiction), and — when selected — an installed pump ($900–$2,500) and pressure tank ($400–$1,500 installed). The same sources put complete residential systems at a $5,500–$9,000 national average within a $3,000–$16,000 range, which is why depth and rock type dominate the final number.
What this calculator can't know is your actual depth-to-water. State anchors show how much that matters: Mississippi's shallow water tables make it the cheapest state for a complete well (around $6,200), while deep hard-rock states like Hawaii, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts can run $32,000–$38,500. A licensed local driller estimates your depth from nearby well logs before drilling — insist on a written per-foot quote that spells out casing, permit, and what happens if the well comes in low-yield.
Estimates only — independent local providers quote their own pricing. Data last reviewed 2026-10.
Sources
- HomeGuide — Well Drilling Cost (third-party estimate)
- HomeAdvisor — Cost to Drill a Well (third-party estimate)
- This Old House — Well Installation Cost (third-party estimate)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to drill a well?
Most complete residential well systems cost $5,500–$9,000, with a full range of $3,000 to $16,000. Drilling itself runs $25–$85 per foot depending on geology, plus $900–$2,500 for an installed pump, $400–$1,500 for a pressure tank (installed), and $200–$500 for the permit.
How much does it cost to drill a well per foot?
Roughly $25–$40 per foot through sand and gravel, $35–$55 through sedimentary rock like limestone or shale, and $55–$85 through granite. Quotes usually cover drilling plus standard casing per foot; extra casing through unstable formations is billed separately.
How deep does a well need to be?
Whatever depth reaches a reliable aquifer under your property — the national average is around 150 ft, but Gulf Coast wells often finish at 85–100 ft while New England and Rocky Mountain wells commonly run 300–800 ft. Local drillers estimate from nearby well logs before drilling.
Does the drilling quote include the pump and pressure tank?
Often not — many drillers quote the borehole, casing, and grouting per foot and price the pump system separately. Ask for a complete-system quote so you can compare apples to apples: pump ($900–$2,500 installed), pressure tank ($400–$1,500 installed), trenching, and the permit.
More Free Tools
No Water From Your Well? Diagnostic Wizard
Suddenly no water in the house? Answer a few questions to find out if it's the breaker, the pressure switch, the tank, the pump — or the well itself.
Use the free tool →Well Pump Size Calculator
Find what size well pump you need — GPM demand, total dynamic head, and a horsepower recommendation from four quick inputs.
Use the free tool →Well Pump: Repair or Replace? Decision Quiz
Pump acting up? Answer three questions — type, age, and symptom — for an honest repair-vs-replace verdict with real 2026 costs.
Use the free tool →Pressure Tank Size Calculator
Find what size well pressure tank you need from your pump's GPM and switch setting — drawdown math included, no guessing.
Use the free tool →Well Shock Chlorination Calculator — How Much Bleach
Figure out how much plain bleach it takes to shock-chlorinate your well from its depth, static water level, and casing size — at the chlorine level you choose, with the safety steps that matter.
Use the free tool →Rather skip straight to quotes?
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