How Much Does Wedding Band / Live Music Cost?
Updated for 2026 — national average costs with state-by-state breakdowns
Low End
$1,000
Average
$4,000
High End
$10,000
per event
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What Does Wedding Band / Live Music Include?
Live wedding bands provide 3-5 hours of music for your ceremony and reception. Costs depend on band size, experience, travel, and time of year. DJs are the budget-friendly alternative.
The national average cost for wedding band / live music is $4,000 per event. Most homeowners pay between $1,000 and $10,000, though costs can vary significantly based on your location, the scope of work, and other factors outlined below.
What Affects the Price?
Size
Solo musician: $500-$1,500. Duo/trio: $1,000-$3,000. 4-6 piece band: $2,500-$6,000. 8+ piece: $5,000-$12,000
Hours
Ceremony only (1 hr): $500-$2,000. Reception (3-4 hrs): $2,000-$8,000. Full day: $4,000-$12,000
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Key Cost Factors
- ✓Band size
- ✓Experience and demand
- ✓Hours of performance
- ✓Travel distance
- ✓Event day (Sat premium)
💡 Tips to Save Money
- 1.Duo or trio acts cost 40-60% less than full bands
- 2.Friday and Sunday weddings get lower band rates
- 3.Ask about ceremony music inclusion — some bands play both for a small upcharge
- 4.Book early — top bands book 12-18 months out and may offer early booking discounts
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📈 Wedding Band / Live Music Cost Trends (2020–2024)
Prices have increased +17.8% over the last 5 years
$3,397
2020
$3,540
2021
$3,770
2022
$3,876
2023
$4,000
2024
| Year | National Avg | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $3,397 | — |
| 2021 | $3,540 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $3,770 | +6.5% |
| 2023 | $3,876 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $4,000 | +3.2% |
Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.
Wedding Band / Live Music 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 | $820 | $3,280 | $8,200 |
| Alaska | $1,280 | $5,120 | $12,800 |
| Arizona | $950 | $3,800 | $9,500 |
| Arkansas | $800 | $3,200 | $8,000 |
| California | $1,350 | $5,400 | $13,500 |
| Colorado | $1,080 | $4,320 | $10,800 |
| Connecticut | $1,220 | $4,880 | $12,200 |
| Delaware | $1,050 | $4,200 | $10,500 |
| Florida | $980 | $3,920 | $9,800 |
| Georgia | $900 | $3,600 | $9,000 |
| Hawaii | $1,420 | $5,680 | $14,200 |
| Idaho | $920 | $3,680 | $9,200 |
| Illinois | $1,050 | $4,200 | $10,500 |
| Indiana | $880 | $3,520 | $8,800 |
| Iowa | $860 | $3,440 | $8,600 |
| Kansas | $850 | $3,400 | $8,500 |
| Kentucky | $840 | $3,360 | $8,400 |
| Louisiana | $870 | $3,480 | $8,700 |
| Maine | $1,020 | $4,080 | $10,200 |
| Maryland | $1,150 | $4,600 | $11,500 |
| Massachusetts | $1,300 | $5,200 | $13,000 |
| Michigan | $920 | $3,680 | $9,200 |
| Minnesota | $1,020 | $4,080 | $10,200 |
| Mississippi | $780 | $3,120 | $7,800 |
| Missouri | $870 | $3,480 | $8,700 |
| Montana | $950 | $3,800 | $9,500 |
| Nebraska | $880 | $3,520 | $8,800 |
| Nevada | $1,020 | $4,080 | $10,200 |
| New Hampshire | $1,120 | $4,480 | $11,200 |
| New Jersey | $1,250 | $5,000 | $12,500 |
| New Mexico | $900 | $3,600 | $9,000 |
| New York | $1,320 | $5,280 | $13,200 |
| North Carolina | $900 | $3,600 | $9,000 |
| North Dakota | $900 | $3,600 | $9,000 |
| Ohio | $900 | $3,600 | $9,000 |
| Oklahoma | $830 | $3,320 | $8,300 |
| Oregon | $1,100 | $4,400 | $11,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,020 | $4,080 | $10,200 |
| Rhode Island | $1,150 | $4,600 | $11,500 |
| South Carolina | $870 | $3,480 | $8,700 |
| South Dakota | $850 | $3,400 | $8,500 |
| Tennessee | $860 | $3,440 | $8,600 |
| Texas | $930 | $3,720 | $9,300 |
| Utah | $950 | $3,800 | $9,500 |
| Vermont | $1,080 | $4,320 | $10,800 |
| Virginia | $1,050 | $4,200 | $10,500 |
| Washington | $1,150 | $4,600 | $11,500 |
| West Virginia | $800 | $3,200 | $8,000 |
| Wisconsin | $940 | $3,760 | $9,400 |
| Wyoming | $920 | $3,680 | $9,200 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Band or DJ — which is better for a wedding?
Bands create live energy and ambiance (avg $4,000) but play limited song variety. DJs offer unlimited song selection and lower costs (avg $1,200). Many couples hire a DJ with live musicians for key moments as a compromise.
🏙️ Wedding Band / Live Music Cost by City
Compare wedding band / live music costs in the most popular US cities:
New York City
NY
$5,800
Los Angeles
CA
$5,520
Chicago
IL
$4,600
Houston
TX
$3,800
Phoenix
AZ
$3,920
Philadelphia
PA
$4,480
San Antonio
TX
$3,520
San Diego
CA
$5,280
Dallas
TX
$4,080
San Jose
CA
$6,080
Austin
TX
$4,200
Jacksonville
FL
$3,680
Fort Worth
TX
$3,800
Columbus
OH
$3,600
Charlotte
NC
$3,800
Indianapolis
IN
$3,520
View all 219 cities →
San Francisco, CA
$6,200
Seattle, WA
$5,200
Denver, CO
$4,600
Washington D.C., DC
$5,400
Nashville, TN
$4,000
Oklahoma City, OK
$3,280
El Paso, TX
$3,280
Boston, MA
$5,600
Portland, OR
$4,720
Las Vegas, NV
$4,080
Memphis, TN
$3,280
Louisville, KY
$3,400
Baltimore, MD
$4,400
Milwaukee, WI
$3,680
Albuquerque, NM
$3,520
Tucson, AZ
$3,520
Fresno, CA
$4,200
Sacramento, CA
$4,720
Mesa, AZ
$3,800
Kansas City, MO
$3,600
Atlanta, GA
$4,200
Omaha, NE
$3,520
Colorado Springs, CO
$4,080
Raleigh, NC
$3,920
Long Beach, CA
$5,400
Virginia Beach, VA
$4,200
Miami, FL
$4,800
Oakland, CA
$5,800
Minneapolis, MN
$4,320
Tampa, FL
$4,080
Tulsa, OK
$3,280
Arlington, TX
$3,800
New Orleans, LA
$3,800
Pittsburgh, PA
$3,800
St. Louis, MO
$3,520
Bakersfield, CA
$4,080
Anaheim, CA
$5,400
Honolulu, HI
$6,000
Santa Ana, CA
$5,280
Riverside, CA
$4,600
Corpus Christi, TX
$3,400
Lexington, KY
$3,520
Stockton, CA
$4,400
Henderson, NV
$4,080
St. Paul, MN
$4,200
Cincinnati, OH
$3,520
Anchorage, AK
$5,120
Greensboro, NC
$3,520
Plano, TX
$4,200
Newark, NJ
$5,000
Lincoln, NE
$3,400
Orlando, FL
$4,080
Irvine, CA
$5,600
Durham, NC
$3,800
Chula Vista, CA
$5,120
Toledo, OH
$3,280
Fort Wayne, IN
$3,280
Jersey City, NJ
$5,400
St. Petersburg, FL
$4,080
Laredo, TX
$3,200
Madison, WI
$3,920
Chandler, AZ
$3,920
Buffalo, NY
$3,680
Lubbock, TX
$3,280
Scottsdale, AZ
$4,480
Reno, NV
$4,200
Glendale, AZ
$3,800
Gilbert, AZ
$4,080
Winston-Salem, NC
$3,400
North Las Vegas, NV
$3,920
Norfolk, VA
$3,920
Chesapeake, VA
$4,080
Irving, TX
$4,000
Fremont, CA
$5,800
Richmond, VA
$3,920
Boise, ID
$3,920
San Bernardino, CA
$4,320
Spokane, WA
$3,800
Des Moines, IA
$3,400
Tacoma, WA
$4,600
Modesto, CA
$4,200
Fontana, CA
$4,400
Moreno Valley, CA
$4,320
Fayetteville, NC
$3,400
Birmingham, AL
$3,280
Rochester, NY
$3,680
Salt Lake City, UT
$4,200
Oxnard, CA
$4,880
Knoxville, TN
$3,400
Worcester, MA
$4,600
Brownsville, TX
$3,120
Grand Rapids, MI
$3,600
Newport News, VA
$3,800
Huntsville, AL
$3,400
Amarillo, TX
$3,280
Little Rock, AR
$3,280
Montgomery, AL
$3,200
Akron, OH
$3,280
Augusta, GA
$3,280
Baton Rouge, LA
$3,400
Mobile, AL
$3,200
Shreveport, LA
$3,200
Tallahassee, FL
$3,600
Hartford, CT
$4,600
Providence, RI
$4,480
Charleston, SC
$3,920
Savannah, GA
$3,520
Columbia, SC
$3,400
Chattanooga, TN
$3,400
Fort Lauderdale, FL
$4,720
Dayton, OH
$3,280
Sioux Falls, SD
$3,400
Springfield, MO
$3,200
Jackson, MS
$3,120
Palm Bay, FL
$3,800
Lakeland, FL
$3,680
Cape Coral, FL
$3,920
Pensacola, FL
$3,520
Port St. Lucie, FL
$3,920
Naperville, IL
$4,600
Tempe, AZ
$4,000
Overland Park, KS
$3,800
McKinney, TX
$4,080
Frisco, TX
$4,200
Cary, NC
$4,080
Clarksville, TN
$3,400
Cedar Rapids, IA
$3,280
Peoria, AZ
$3,920
Surprise, AZ
$3,800
Denton, TX
$3,920
Roseville, CA
$4,600
Gainesville, FL
$3,520
Bellevue, WA
$5,600
Murfreesboro, TN
$3,680
Round Rock, TX
$4,080
Columbia, MD
$4,600
Boulder, CO
$5,000
Ann Arbor, MI
$4,400
Santa Fe, NM
$4,200
Wilmington, NC
$3,680
Greenville, SC
$3,520
Fargo, ND
$3,400
Provo, UT
$3,920
Duluth, MN
$3,520
Billings, MT
$3,680
Missoula, MT
$3,920
Cheyenne, WY
$3,520
Burlington, VT
$4,320
Portland, ME
$4,320
Concord, NH
$4,200
Bismarck, ND
$3,400
Rapid City, SD
$3,400
Casper, WY
$3,520
Bangor, ME
$3,800
Charleston, WV
$3,200
Dover, DE
$3,920
Manchester, NH
$4,320
Bridgeport, CT
$4,800
Stamford, CT
$5,400
Wichita, KS
$3,280
Topeka, KS
$3,200
Springfield, IL
$3,400
Rockford, IL
$3,400
Erie, PA
$3,280
Scranton, PA
$3,400
Flint, MI
$3,120
Lansing, MI
$3,400
Syracuse, NY
$3,520
Albany, NY
$3,800
Eugene, OR
$4,200
Salem, OR
$4,080
Fort Collins, CO
$4,400
Pueblo, CO
$3,400
Aurora, CO
$4,320
Santa Barbara, CA
$5,600
Santa Rosa, CA
$5,120
Pasadena, CA
$5,520
Visalia, CA
$4,000
Pomona, CA
$4,720
Myrtle Beach, SC
$3,520
Daytona Beach, FL
$3,680
Sarasota, FL
$4,200
Naples, FL
$4,720
Ocala, FL
$3,400
Athens, GA
$3,400
Macon, GA
$3,200
Lexington, SC
$3,400
Asheville, NC
$4,080
Flagstaff, AZ
$4,320
Rochester, NY
$3,680
New Haven, CT
$4,320
Manchester, NH
$4,200
Augusta, GA
$3,280
Fort Myers, FL
$3,920
Wilmington, NC
$3,800
Arlington, VA
$5,200
Green Bay, WI
$3,400
South Bend, IN
$3,280
Bend, OR
$4,480
Bellingham, WA
$4,400
Midland, TX
$3,800
Waco, TX
$3,280
Newark, NJ
$4,800
Related Cost Guides
💬 What Did You Pay?
Real costs reported by homeowners for Wedding Band / Live Music
$4,017
Avg Reported
$2,812
Lowest Reported
$5,825
Highest Reported
Recent Reports
$3,821
Dallas, TX · Jan 2024
★★★★☆
$4,508
Chicago, IL · Feb 2024
★★★★★
$3,406
Phoenix, AZ · Mar 2024
★★★★☆
$4,329
Denver, CO · Apr 2024
★★★☆☆
$4,001
Atlanta, GA · May 2024
★★★★☆
$4,517
Seattle, WA · Jun 2024
★★★☆☆
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