How Much Does Smoke Detector Installation Cost?
Updated for 2026 — national average costs with state-by-state breakdowns
What Does Smoke Detector Installation Include?
Professional smoke detector installation ensures proper placement, wiring, and interconnection of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home. Hardwired, interconnected systems ensure all alarms sound when one is triggered.
The national average cost for smoke detector installation is $400 per home. Most homeowners pay between $200 and $800, though costs can vary significantly based on your location, the scope of work, and other factors outlined below.
What Affects the Price?
Type
Battery-only (DIY): $15-$40 each. Hardwired with battery backup: $30-$80 each + $50-$100 labor each. Smart (Nest Protect): $100-$130 each
Installation
Replacing existing hardwired: $50-$75 per unit. New hardwired installation: $100-$200 per unit including wiring
Full Home
Average 3-bedroom home needs 6-8 detectors. Full hardwired install: $400-$800 total
Key Cost Factors
- ✓Number of detectors needed
- ✓Hardwired vs battery-only
- ✓Combination smoke/CO detectors
- ✓Smart detector features
- ✓Existing wiring availability
💡 Tips to Save Money
- 1.Battery-only detectors ($15-$40 each) are easy to DIY — no electrician needed
- 2.Buy detectors with 10-year sealed batteries to avoid annual battery changes
- 3.Smart detectors (Nest, First Alert) cost more upfront ($100-$130) but send phone alerts
- 4.Code requires detectors in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level
📈 Smoke Detector Installation Cost Trends (2020–2024)
Prices have increased +17.6% over the last 5 years
| Year | National Avg | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $340 | — |
| 2021 | $354 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $377 | +6.5% |
| 2023 | $388 | +2.9% |
| 2024 | $400 | +3.1% |
Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.
Smoke Detector Installation 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 | $164 | $328 | $656 |
| Alaska | $256 | $512 | $1,024 |
| Arizona | $190 | $380 | $760 |
| Arkansas | $160 | $320 | $640 |
| California | $270 | $540 | $1,080 |
| Colorado | $216 | $432 | $864 |
| Connecticut | $244 | $488 | $976 |
| Delaware | $210 | $420 | $840 |
| Florida | $196 | $392 | $784 |
| Georgia | $180 | $360 | $720 |
| Hawaii | $284 | $568 | $1,136 |
| Idaho | $184 | $368 | $736 |
| Illinois | $210 | $420 | $840 |
| Indiana | $176 | $352 | $704 |
| Iowa | $172 | $344 | $688 |
| Kansas | $170 | $340 | $680 |
| Kentucky | $168 | $336 | $672 |
| Louisiana | $174 | $348 | $696 |
| Maine | $204 | $408 | $816 |
| Maryland | $230 | $460 | $920 |
| Massachusetts | $260 | $520 | $1,040 |
| Michigan | $184 | $368 | $736 |
| Minnesota | $204 | $408 | $816 |
| Mississippi | $156 | $312 | $624 |
| Missouri | $174 | $348 | $696 |
| Montana | $190 | $380 | $760 |
| Nebraska | $176 | $352 | $704 |
| Nevada | $204 | $408 | $816 |
| New Hampshire | $224 | $448 | $896 |
| New Jersey | $250 | $500 | $1,000 |
| New Mexico | $180 | $360 | $720 |
| New York | $264 | $528 | $1,056 |
| North Carolina | $180 | $360 | $720 |
| North Dakota | $180 | $360 | $720 |
| Ohio | $180 | $360 | $720 |
| Oklahoma | $166 | $332 | $664 |
| Oregon | $220 | $440 | $880 |
| Pennsylvania | $204 | $408 | $816 |
| Rhode Island | $230 | $460 | $920 |
| South Carolina | $174 | $348 | $696 |
| South Dakota | $170 | $340 | $680 |
| Tennessee | $172 | $344 | $688 |
| Texas | $186 | $372 | $744 |
| Utah | $190 | $380 | $760 |
| Vermont | $216 | $432 | $864 |
| Virginia | $210 | $420 | $840 |
| Washington | $230 | $460 | $920 |
| West Virginia | $160 | $320 | $640 |
| Wisconsin | $188 | $376 | $752 |
| Wyoming | $184 | $368 | $736 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many smoke detectors do I need?
At minimum: one inside each bedroom, one outside each sleeping area, and one on every level including the basement. A typical 3-bedroom, 2-story home needs 6-8 detectors.
How often should smoke detectors be replaced?
Every 10 years regardless of type. The sensors degrade over time and become unreliable. Check the manufacturing date on the back of the unit. Replace batteries annually (unless sealed 10-year type).
🏙️ Smoke Detector Installation Cost by City
Compare smoke detector installation costs in the most popular US cities:
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