Enter the depth you expect to drill, pick the type of well and casing, and adjust for ground conditions and where you live. Add the pump, pressure tank, wiring and permit to see a full-system range based on published 2026 cost-guide data, not a quote.
Not sure how deep you'll need to go? Ask a local licensed driller or your state's well records for nearby well depths; residential wells are commonly 100–300 feet. Rural lots that need a well often need a septic system too: see our septic tank installation cost guide, and plan a combined well and septic inspection when buying a property.
Calculator
Typical results
For reference, complete residential well installations reported in 2026 cost:
| Scenario | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 100-foot well, complete installation | $3,000–$8,000 | Shallow water table, PVC casing |
| 200-foot well, complete installation | $6,000–$16,000 | Common residential depth; HomeGuide average about $10,500 |
| 300–400-foot well, complete installation | $9,000–$32,000 | Deep water, rock drilling or steel casing |
What goes into the estimate
- Depth required. Drillers charge by the foot, so depth is the biggest driver. Residential wells typically run 100–300 feet; Angi notes each extra foot to reach the water table adds about $25–$60.
- Geology and drilling conditions. Soft soils drill quickly, while rock, slopes, dry or remote sites push prices to about $50–$100+ per foot. The calculator's 1.15 and 1.35 ground multipliers are WhatHomeCosts estimates that reflect this spread.
- Casing and pump. PVC casing costs about $6–$11 per foot and steel $30–$130+, which is why steel-cased wells cost more per foot. A well pump adds $900–$2,500, a pressure tank $300–$1,500 and electrical wiring $1,000–$3,000.
- Water testing. Lab testing for a new well costs about $100–$350 (Angi reports $50–$600 depending on the tests). If the results show problems, a filtration system adds $800–$4,000.
- Region. Drilling costs vary by state; Angi reports about $26–$58 per foot in Florida versus $34–$85 in Alaska. Choose your area in the calculator to apply a factor from 0.85 to 1.35.
How we built the ranges
Per-foot prices come from published 2026 data: Angi's well drilling cost guide (updated September 2026) for per-foot ranges by well type, casing and state, and HomeGuide's well drilling cost guide (2026 edition) for drilling-only and casing prices, depth tables, pumps, pressure tanks, wiring, permits and water testing. The PVC option combines drilling ($20–$30 per foot) with PVC casing ($7–$11 per foot); the steel option reflects Angi's 6-inch steel figures and HomeGuide's steel casing range. Ground and site multipliers are WhatHomeCosts estimates; the minimum charge reflects HomeGuide's $1,500–$4,000 for a complete 50-foot well.
The calculator does not include a supply line from the well to the house ($50–$150 per foot), land clearing or road building for the rig, water softeners, hydrofracturing a low-yield well, or the cost of a dry hole that must be redrilled. Actual depth is unknown until drilling, so get at least three quotes from licensed drillers and ask how they bill if they must go deeper.
FAQ
How deep does a residential well need to be?
Most residential wells are 100–300 feet deep, but it depends entirely on the local water table and geology. Angi suggests drinking water wells generally go at least 100 feet; your driller and state well records are the best guide.
Is the calculator result a quote?
No. It is a budgeting range built from national averages. Drillers usually quote per foot plus fixed charges, and the final depth isn't known until the well hits a reliable water supply.
What is the average cost to drill a well?
Angi reports a national average of about $5,500, with most projects between $3,000 and $9,000, while HomeGuide's average for a complete 200-foot system is about $10,500. Deeper wells, steel casing and rock push costs higher.
This tool gives a rough estimate only. Get at least three written quotes for your project.
For a full breakdown of prices, read our complete septic tank installation cost guide.
Sources
Prices are estimates and vary by location and provider. See our methodology and editorial policy. Browse all tools & calculators cost guides.