Permit record · Illinois
What Chicago paid for a swimming pool
Not an estimate. We read 31 permits filed with Chicago and took the value written on each one.
Half of these jobs landed between $35,000 and $150,000. One in ten came in under $15,000; one in ten ran past $250,000.
The same job, other cities
| City | Median | Typical range | Permits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $100,000 | $35,000 – $150,000 | 31 |
| Raleigh, NC | $142,985 | $90,750 – $200,000 | 212 |
| Montgomery County, MD | $100,000 | $49,000 – $156,854 | 233 |
| Austin, TX | $80,000 | $48,320 – $120,000 | 87 |
| Seattle, WA | $75,000 | $28,750 – $186,814 | 28 |
| New Orleans, LA | $75,000 | $55,180 – $97,372 | 490 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $75,000 | $52,180 – $116,100 | 170 |
| Kansas City, MO | $70,000 | $50,000 – $90,000 | 65 |
| Sacramento, CA | $64,232 | $41,500 – $80,000 | 116 |
| Marin County, CA | $58,000 | $30,000 – $120,000 | 93 |
| New York, NY | $45,500 | $20,000 – $98,000 | 197 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $31,250 | $20,000 – $50,000 | 3,198 |
| Anaheim, CA | $20,000 | $14,464 – $25,000 | 53 |
Across the cities we cover, the same job runs from $31,250 in Los Angeles to $142,985 in Raleigh — a 4.6× spread. See all cities →
Other projects in Chicago
| Project | Median | Permits |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Panels | $19,535 | 3,655 |
| Garage | $25,000 | 2,461 |
| Roof Replacement | $22,940 | 1,962 |
| Interior Remodel | $100,000 | 1,239 |
| Home Addition | $150,000 | 1,168 |
| Kitchen Remodel | $25,000 | 1,046 |
| Deck or Patio | $28,000 | 991 |
| Electrical Panel Upgrade | $5,000 | 624 |
| Bathroom Remodel | $24,000 | 590 |
| HVAC Replacement | $20,000 | 488 |
| Water Heater | $6,048 | 309 |
| Siding or Stucco | $19,150 | 58 |
| Window Replacement | $20,000 | 57 |
| ADU / Guest House | $94,100 | 53 |
| Foundation Repair | $52,850 | 47 |
Source
Source: City of Chicago Department of Buildings — Building Permits. Permits issued in the last 24 months, classified by the work described on the permit. The figure is the declared value of the work — what the applicant reported to the city. It excludes work done without a permit and can sit below a final invoice. Read the full methodology. Data refreshed 2026-09-24.