How Much Does Car AC Recharge Cost?
Updated for 2026 — national average costs with state-by-state breakdowns
What Does Car AC Recharge Include?
An AC recharge (also called re-gas) adds refrigerant to your car's air conditioning system when it's low, restoring cold air output. If refrigerant is low, there's usually a leak that should be found and repaired.
The national average cost for car ac recharge is $175 per service. Most homeowners pay between $100 and $300, though costs can vary significantly based on your location, the scope of work, and other factors outlined below.
What Affects the Price?
Refrigerant
R-134a (older cars): $100-$175. R-1234yf (2015+ cars): $200-$400. Refrigerant cost alone: R-134a $5-$10/lb vs R-1234yf $50-$80/lb
Service
Simple recharge: $100-$200. Recharge + leak detection (UV dye): $150-$300. Recharge + leak repair: $300-$800+
Shop
DIY kit: $20-$50. Quick lube: $100-$175. Mechanic: $125-$250. Dealership: $200-$400
Key Cost Factors
- ✓Refrigerant type (R-134a vs R-1234yf)
- ✓Amount of refrigerant needed
- ✓Leak detection
- ✓Leak repair needed
- ✓Vehicle make and model
💡 Tips to Save Money
- 1.DIY recharge kits ($20-$50) work for simple top-offs on R-134a systems
- 2.Newer vehicles (2015+) use R-1234yf refrigerant which costs 5-10x more — verify before buying DIY kits
- 3.If your AC loses charge repeatedly, fixing the leak is more cost-effective than repeated recharges
- 4.Independent shops charge 30-50% less than dealerships
📈 Car AC Recharge Cost Trends (2020–2024)
Prices have increased +17.4% over the last 5 years
| Year | National Avg | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $149 | — |
| 2021 | $155 | +4.0% |
| 2022 | $165 | +6.5% |
| 2023 | $170 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $175 | +2.9% |
Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.
Car AC Recharge Cost by State
Costs vary significantly by state due to labor rates, cost of living, and local market conditions. Click any state for a detailed breakdown.
| State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $82 | $144 | $246 |
| Alaska | $128 | $224 | $384 |
| Arizona | $95 | $166 | $285 |
| Arkansas | $80 | $140 | $240 |
| California | $135 | $236 | $405 |
| Colorado | $108 | $189 | $324 |
| Connecticut | $122 | $214 | $366 |
| Delaware | $105 | $184 | $315 |
| Florida | $98 | $172 | $294 |
| Georgia | $90 | $158 | $270 |
| Hawaii | $142 | $249 | $426 |
| Idaho | $92 | $161 | $276 |
| Illinois | $105 | $184 | $315 |
| Indiana | $88 | $154 | $264 |
| Iowa | $86 | $151 | $258 |
| Kansas | $85 | $149 | $255 |
| Kentucky | $84 | $147 | $252 |
| Louisiana | $87 | $152 | $261 |
| Maine | $102 | $179 | $306 |
| Maryland | $115 | $201 | $345 |
| Massachusetts | $130 | $228 | $390 |
| Michigan | $92 | $161 | $276 |
| Minnesota | $102 | $179 | $306 |
| Mississippi | $78 | $137 | $234 |
| Missouri | $87 | $152 | $261 |
| Montana | $95 | $166 | $285 |
| Nebraska | $88 | $154 | $264 |
| Nevada | $102 | $179 | $306 |
| New Hampshire | $112 | $196 | $336 |
| New Jersey | $125 | $219 | $375 |
| New Mexico | $90 | $158 | $270 |
| New York | $132 | $231 | $396 |
| North Carolina | $90 | $158 | $270 |
| North Dakota | $90 | $158 | $270 |
| Ohio | $90 | $158 | $270 |
| Oklahoma | $83 | $145 | $249 |
| Oregon | $110 | $193 | $330 |
| Pennsylvania | $102 | $179 | $306 |
| Rhode Island | $115 | $201 | $345 |
| South Carolina | $87 | $152 | $261 |
| South Dakota | $85 | $149 | $255 |
| Tennessee | $86 | $151 | $258 |
| Texas | $93 | $163 | $279 |
| Utah | $95 | $166 | $285 |
| Vermont | $108 | $189 | $324 |
| Virginia | $105 | $184 | $315 |
| Washington | $115 | $201 | $345 |
| West Virginia | $80 | $140 | $240 |
| Wisconsin | $94 | $165 | $282 |
| Wyoming | $92 | $161 | $276 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does car AC need to be recharged?
A properly sealed system should never need recharging — refrigerant doesn't 'wear out.' If your AC isn't cold, there's likely a leak. A typical system loses about 5-10% per year naturally, so a slight decrease over several years is normal.
Can I recharge my car AC myself?
Yes, for R-134a systems — DIY kits ($20-$50) with a gauge are available at auto parts stores. For R-1234yf systems (most 2015+ cars), professional service is recommended due to the expensive refrigerant and environmental regulations.
🏙️ Car AC Recharge Cost by City
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