Well Drilling Cost Per Foot 2026: $22–$90/ft by State (50-State Guide)

The national average well drilling cost per foot is $25–$65 in 2026, varying by state from $22/ft in Mississippi to $90/ft in Hawaii. Three factors drive per-foot pricing: geology (sand vs. granite), labor rates (Southeast vs. West Coast), and typical well depth (coastal plains vs. mountain bedrock). A 4× difference in per-foot rates means the same 200-foot well can cost $4,400 in Mississippi or $18,000 in Hawaii for drilling alone.

This guide ranks all 50 states by per-foot drilling cost, explains exactly what drives the numbers, and shows you how to compare “per foot” quotes apples-to-apples.

Key Takeaways

• National average per foot: $25–$65 (drilling only — add $2,000–$6,000 for pump, tank, electrical)
• Cheapest states: Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Michigan, Delaware — $22–$55/ft thanks to soft sediment and shallow water tables
• Most expensive states: Hawaii, Alaska, California, Massachusetts, New Hampshire — $30–$90/ft due to hard bedrock and/or high labor costs
• Geology is the biggest single factor. Sand drills at 50–100 ft/day; granite drills at 10–30 ft/day. That’s the whole cost difference.
• Per-foot ≠ total cost. Alaska has a high per-foot rate ($40–$85) but shallow average depth (135 ft), making totals moderate. California has high per-foot AND deep wells, producing the highest totals.
• Compare quotes on total cost, not per-foot rate. A “cheap per-foot” quote can be expensive if the driller projects 300 ft when neighbors are at 150 ft.
• Casing diameter matters too. A 6” well costs $15–$40/ft more than a 4” well. Irrigation wells cost more per foot than residential for this reason.

Quick Summary

	Range
National average cost per foot	$25–$65
Cheapest states	Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama ($22–$55/ft)
Most expensive states	Alaska, Hawaii, Massachusetts ($32–$90/ft)
Average total project cost	$7,500 (including pump and equipment)

Per-foot cost is the drilling charge only — it covers the borehole, casing, grouting, and well development. You’ll pay an additional $2,000–$6,000 for the submersible pump, pressure tank, electrical hookup, and water line to your house. For a full breakdown, see our complete well drilling cost guide.

What Determines Cost Per Foot?

Before the state-by-state table, it helps to understand the three factors that drive per-foot pricing:

1. Geology (Biggest Factor)

The type of rock or soil the drill has to cut through directly sets the per-foot rate:

Formation	Cost Per Foot	Drilling Speed
Sand and gravel	$22–$35	Fast (50–100 ft/day)
Clay and sediment	$25–$40	Moderate (40–80 ft/day)
Sandstone	$30–$45	Moderate (30–60 ft/day)
Shale	$30–$50	Slower (25–50 ft/day)
Limestone	$35–$55	Slow (20–40 ft/day)
Granite and hard rock	$45–$90	Very slow (10–30 ft/day)

States built on granite (New England, parts of the Southeast) cost more per foot than states built on sand (Gulf Coast, Great Plains). Volcanic basalt (Pacific Northwest, Hawaii) is also expensive to drill.

2. Labor Rates

Drillers in high-cost-of-living states charge more per foot even in similar geology. A sand well in New Jersey costs more per foot than a sand well in Mississippi, even though the drilling difficulty is the same.

3. Average Well Depth

Per-foot rates don’t always increase with depth, but deeper wells require more casing material, longer pump wire runs, and more drilling time — all of which add to the total. States with deeper average wells tend to have higher total project costs even at the same per-foot rate.

Well Drilling Cost Per Foot: All 50 States

Sorted from cheapest to most expensive average per-foot cost:

State	Cost Per Foot	Avg Depth	Avg Total Cost
Mississippi	$22–$50	140 ft	$4,900
Louisiana	$22–$52	150 ft	$5,250
Alabama	$25–$55	180 ft	$6,840
Arkansas	$25–$55	165 ft	$6,105
Delaware	$25–$55	120 ft	$4,560
Florida	$25–$55	200 ft	$7,000
Indiana	$25–$55	140 ft	$5,320
Kansas	$25–$55	175 ft	$6,650
Michigan	$25–$55	110 ft	$4,180
Missouri	$25–$58	195 ft	$7,800
Nebraska	$25–$55	163 ft	$6,194
Ohio	$25–$55	140 ft	$5,320
Oklahoma	$25–$55	185 ft	$7,030
South Carolina	$25–$55	175 ft	$6,650
Texas	$25–$58	225 ft	$8,550
Georgia	$27–$58	200 ft	$8,000
Colorado	$28–$65	250 ft	$10,500
Idaho	$28–$65	200 ft	$8,400
Illinois	$28–$60	175 ft	$7,350
Iowa	$28–$58	175 ft	$7,000
Kentucky	$28–$60	202 ft	$8,484
Maryland	$28–$62	180 ft	$7,740
Minnesota	$28–$62	165 ft	$6,930
Montana	$28–$62	180 ft	$7,560
New Mexico	$28–$65	280 ft	$12,040
New York	$28–$68	200 ft	$9,000
North Carolina	$28–$60	220 ft	$9,240
North Dakota	$28–$60	175 ft	$7,350
Oregon	$28–$65	200 ft	$8,400
South Dakota	$28–$60	200 ft	$8,400
Tennessee	$28–$58	222 ft	$8,880
Utah	$28–$65	250 ft	$10,500
Virginia	$28–$62	210 ft	$8,820
Washington	$28–$65	185 ft	$7,770
West Virginia	$28–$60	175 ft	$7,350
Wisconsin	$28–$60	145 ft	$6,090
Wyoming	$28–$62	220 ft	$9,240
Arizona	$30–$70	342 ft	$15,390
Connecticut	$30–$70	250 ft	$12,000
Maine	$30–$70	263 ft	$12,624
Nevada	$30–$70	300 ft	$13,500
New Hampshire	$30–$70	300 ft	$14,400
New Jersey	$30–$68	180 ft	$8,460
Pennsylvania	$28–$65	250 ft	$11,250
Rhode Island	$30–$68	200 ft	$9,600
Vermont	$30–$70	275 ft	$13,200
Massachusetts	$32–$72	270 ft	$13,500
California	$35–$75	350 ft	$17,500
D.C.	$35–$80	200 ft	$11,000
Alaska	$40–$85	135 ft	$7,830
Hawaii	$40–$90	250 ft	$15,000

Total project cost includes drilling, casing, pump, pressure tank, electrical, and basic connection. Actual costs depend on your specific depth, geology, and local conditions.

Cheapest States for Well Drilling

The five cheapest states to drill a well are all in the Southeast and Gulf Coast, where soft sedimentary formations and shallow water tables make drilling fast and easy:

1. Mississippi — $22–$50/ft, average total $4,900. Soft sand, clay, and gravel formations in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. Shallow wells (100–200 ft) produce good water.
2. Louisiana — $22–$52/ft, average total $5,250. Gulf Coast sediment drills quickly. Most wells reach water within 150 feet.
3. Michigan — $25–$55/ft, average total $4,180. Glacial sand and gravel aquifers provide water at shallow depths (60–150 ft) across most of the state.
4. Delaware — $25–$55/ft, average total $4,560. Coastal plain geology with productive sand aquifers at 80–200 feet.
5. Alabama — $25–$55/ft, average total $6,840. Mix of coastal plain sediment in the south and harder formations in the north, but generally easy drilling.

Most Expensive States for Well Drilling

The priciest states share a common factor: hard crystalline bedrock that’s slow and expensive to drill:

1. Hawaii — $40–$90/ft, average total $15,000. Volcanic basalt is extremely hard. Remote island logistics add to costs. Some wells exceed 500 feet.
2. Alaska — $40–$85/ft, average total $7,830. Short drilling season, remote locations, permafrost in some areas. Despite shallower average depths, the per-foot rate is the second-highest.
3. California — $35–$75/ft, average total $17,500. Highest total cost due to deep wells (350 ft average) combined with high per-foot rates. Central Valley is cheaper; coastal mountains and desert are expensive.
4. Massachusetts — $32–$72/ft, average total $13,500. Hard granite and gneiss bedrock. Deep wells needed to hit productive fractures. High labor rates compound the issue.
5. New Hampshire — $30–$70/ft, average total $14,400. Similar granite geology to Massachusetts with even deeper average wells (300 ft). Nearly half the state uses wells.

Regional Patterns: Why Per-Foot Rates Cluster Geographically

Looking at the 50-state table, per-foot prices aren’t random — they cluster by region because the underlying geology and labor markets are regional.

Gulf Coast + Coastal Southeast ($22–$45/ft)

Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina coastal plain, and east Texas sit on thick coastal-plain sand and clay sediments. Water tables are shallow (50–200 ft) and the drilling is fast — 50–100 feet per day. Labor rates are also moderate in these states. Net result: some of the cheapest residential drilling in the country.

Midwest Glaciated States ($25–$55/ft)

Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota benefit from glacial till and outwash deposits that produce shallow, productive aquifers. Per-foot rates are slightly higher than the Gulf Coast due to cold-season operating costs and slightly harder geology (more rock in the till), but total costs are typically below national average.

Southeast Piedmont + Appalachian Foothills ($28–$55/ft)

Once you cross the fall line from coastal plain to Piedmont (eastern NC, GA, SC), per-foot rates jump — you’re now drilling in crystalline rock (granite, gneiss). The same pattern holds in western Virginia, eastern Kentucky, and northern Georgia. Per-foot rates are moderate but wells are harder to predict.

Ogallala Region + Great Plains ($25–$55/ft)

Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, western Texas, eastern Colorado, eastern New Mexico, and the Dakotas share the Ogallala Aquifer or similar Great Plains aquifers. Drilling is easy (sand/gravel), but water tables are declining in many areas, pushing wells deeper and total costs up over time. Per-foot stays reasonable; totals are creeping up.

Mountain West ($28–$70/ft)

Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, New Mexico (central), Arizona rural. Mixed geology — some areas are easy (valleys with sediment), others are brutal (granite and metamorphic rock). Water rights complexity adds indirect costs. Per-foot rates are moderate-to-high; total costs are often high due to deep water tables.

Pacific Northwest ($28–$65/ft)

Washington, Oregon, northern California. Columbia River basalt is moderately hard and water tables are moderate-to-deep. Water rights regulations (especially in WA) add cost complexity beyond the drilling itself. Per-foot rates are moderate; permit and water rights overhead adds thousands to total projects.

New England + Mid-Atlantic Piedmont ($28–$72/ft)

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, plus SE Pennsylvania and SE New York. Hard granite and gneiss bedrock. Wells average 250–350 feet. Labor rates are among the highest in the US. Net result: some of the highest per-foot rates in the country combined with deep average wells.

Island + Outlier States ($35–$90/ft)

Hawaii, Alaska, California. Each has unique factors pushing per-foot rates to the top of the scale:

• Hawaii: Volcanic basalt (very hard), island logistics add material and equipment costs
• Alaska: Short drilling season, remote access, permafrost in some regions
• California: Deep water tables in Central Valley (SGMA overdraft), high labor rates, CEQA/environmental compliance overhead

Real Cost Scenarios: What 5 Different Wells Actually Cost

These are representative 2026 pricing scenarios across the national cost range.

Scenario 1: Low-Cost Gulf Coast Well

• Location: Rural property near Hattiesburg, MS
• Depth: 150 ft in sand/clay sediment
• Per-foot rate: $30/ft (includes casing and grouting)
• Drilling cost: $4,500
• Complete system (add pump, tank, electrical): $6,800

Scenario 2: Midwest Glaciated Well

• Location: Rural Ohio, exurban Columbus
• Depth: 150 ft in glacial till over limestone
• Per-foot rate: $35/ft
• Drilling cost: $5,250
• Complete system: $7,900

Scenario 3: Piedmont Well with Hard-Rock Drilling

• Location: Rural Raleigh, NC Piedmont
• Depth: 350 ft through saprolite into granite bedrock
• Per-foot rate: $48/ft (averages soft surface overburden and hard rock below)
• Drilling cost: $16,800
• Complete system: $19,500

Scenario 4: New England Granite Well

• Location: Rural New Hampshire, Rockingham County
• Depth: 400 ft in granite bedrock
• Per-foot rate: $55/ft
• Drilling cost: $22,000
• Complete system: $25,500

Scenario 5: California Central Valley Deep Well

• Location: Rural Fresno County, CA
• Depth: 600 ft in deep alluvial sediments
• Per-foot rate: $55/ft (deep wells drive slightly higher rates)
• Drilling cost: $33,000
• Complete system with VFD turbine pump: $48,500

How to Compare Per-Foot Quotes Apples-to-Apples

The biggest source of quote confusion is that drillers include different things in their “per foot” rate. Before signing, verify every quote covers these items — or ask for them to be itemized separately.

Always Confirm Included in “Per Foot” Rate

• Drilling the borehole itself
• Well casing (PVC or steel)
• Well screen at the water-bearing zone
• Grouting around the casing
• Basic well development (surging, flushing to maximize yield)
• Sanitary well cap
• State-required well completion report

Often Billed Separately (Confirm Pricing)

Item	Price Range
Submersible pump	$800–$2,500
Pump installation labor	$200–$800
Pressure tank	$300–$1,500
Pitless adapter	$150–$300
Electrical hookup	$500–$1,500
Water line from well to house	$500–$3,000
Water quality testing	$100–$500
Permit fees	$50–$500
Driveway/access improvements	$500–$2,000 (when needed)
Dry-hole contingency	Varies by driller — ask!

If a “drilling only” quote is 15% below a “complete system” quote, that’s misleading — the complete quote is probably better value.

Per-Foot Cost vs. Total Cost: An Important Distinction

Don’t compare states by per-foot cost alone — total cost depends on depth too. Some examples:

• Alaska has the second-highest per-foot rate ($40–$85) but averages only 135 feet deep, so total cost is $7,830 — less than many cheaper-per-foot states
• Texas has a moderate per-foot rate ($25–$58) but at 225 feet average depth, the total runs $8,550
• California has a high per-foot rate ($35–$75) AND deep average wells (350 ft), producing the highest total cost at $17,500

The takeaway: always ask your driller for total project cost, not just per-foot rate. A “cheap per foot” quote can be expensive if you need a deep well.

How to Reduce Your Cost Per Foot

1. Get 3+ quotes — per-foot rates vary 20–40% between drillers in the same area. Get free estimates to compare.
2. Check your local well logs — knowing your likely depth helps you evaluate quotes. If the driller quotes 300 feet but your neighbors are at 150, ask why.
3. Drill in the off-season — late fall and winter often have shorter wait times and sometimes lower rates (less applicable in northern states with frozen ground).
4. Bundle drilling and pump — a single contractor for the complete system usually costs less than separate drilling and pump companies.
5. Ask about depth guarantees — some drillers offer a maximum depth or “we hit water or drill again free” guarantee. This protects you from the depth risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average cost to drill a well per foot? The national average is $25–$65 per foot for drilling only. Soft formations (sand, clay) run $22–$40/ft. Hard rock (granite, basalt) runs $45–$90/ft. Add $2,000–$6,000 for pump, tank, electrical, and connections on top of the drilling cost.

What states have the cheapest well drilling? Mississippi, Louisiana, Michigan, Delaware, and Alabama have the lowest per-foot rates ($22–$55). These states have soft sedimentary geology and shallow water tables, making drilling fast and easy.

Why is well drilling so expensive in New England? New England (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Maine) sits on hard crystalline bedrock — primarily granite and gneiss. This rock drills slowly (10–30 feet per day vs. 50–100 in sand), wears out expensive drill bits, and requires wells that average 250–300 feet deep. Combine that with high labor rates and strict licensing requirements, and New England wells cost roughly double the national average.

Does deeper always mean more expensive? Yes, but not linearly. The per-foot rate stays roughly constant, but total cost increases with every foot. More importantly, deeper wells need higher-capacity (more expensive) pumps, longer pipe and wire runs, and more casing material. A 300-foot well typically costs 50–60% more than a 150-foot well, not double.

How much does it cost to drill a 200-foot well? A 200-foot drilled well costs $7,500–$13,000 for a complete system including pump and equipment. Drilling alone runs $5,000–$10,000 depending on geology.

How much does it cost to drill a 500-foot well? A 500-foot well costs $16,000–$35,000+ for a complete system. These deep wells are common in hard rock areas (New England, mountain West) and require high-capacity pumps and extensive casing.

Why does the same depth cost different amounts in different states? Three reasons: geology (a 200-ft well in granite requires 5× more drilling time than a 200-ft well in sand), labor rates (a driller in Massachusetts charges more per day than one in Arkansas, regardless of rock type), and typical state markups (states with deeper average wells develop pricing that assumes more material use and more casing). You can’t assume “$35/ft in Texas” translates to “$35/ft in New Hampshire” — the same quote would mean very different actual work.

Does well diameter affect per-foot cost? Yes, significantly. A standard 4-inch residential well is the cheapest per foot. A 6-inch well (for higher flow or irrigation) adds $15–$25/ft over the 4-inch rate. An 8-inch ag/irrigation well adds $25–$40/ft. A 10–12 inch high-capacity agricultural or municipal well can add $40–$60/ft over residential rates. Most homeowners only need 4–6 inch casings.

How is per-foot cost measured — drilled depth or water depth? Per-foot cost is charged on total drilled depth, not water depth. If your driller bores 300 feet and hits adequate water at 250 feet, you pay for 300 feet (the extra 50 feet is typically “well sump” to give the pump working space). Some quotes exclude any overdrilling from the estimate; always confirm how the final footage is measured before signing.

Do drillers charge for dry holes? Depends on the contract. Some drillers charge full per-foot rate for every foot drilled, regardless of whether water is found. Others offer a dry-hole reduction (e.g., half rate for dry footage) or will drill a second hole at reduced cost. A minority offer “no water, no charge” guarantees in areas where they know the geology extremely well. Always get the dry-hole policy in writing — it’s one of the most expensive surprise scenarios.

What’s the cost per foot for drilling a geothermal well? Geothermal wells are typically drilled at $15–$35/ft because they don’t need casing through the entire borehole or pump infrastructure. A residential geothermal loop typically requires 150–400 ft of drilling per ton of heat-pump capacity, so a 4-ton system needs 600–1,600 ft of total drilling. Geothermal drilling is a specialty — not every water-well driller does it.

Is it cheaper to drill deeper or drill a second well? Almost always cheaper to drill deeper. The fixed costs of mobilizing a rig, permitting, and connecting a new well outweigh the marginal per-foot cost of going further in an existing bore. If your existing well is declining but the bore is sound, deepening is typically $25–$65/ft at the same rate as original drilling. A brand-new well starts with $2,000–$4,000 in setup before any drilling happens.

How can I verify a driller’s per-foot rate is fair? Three ways: (1) Get 3+ quotes from licensed local drillers and compare the per-foot line-item. (2) Check your state’s well log database — recent wells drilled in your area include construction cost ranges in some state records. (3) Pull our state cost guide for your state to see the typical range. If a quote is more than 25% above the state’s typical range, ask for an itemized breakdown.

Get Your Quote

Every well is different — your actual cost per foot depends on your specific geology, location, and well depth. The most reliable way to estimate your cost is to get quotes from licensed drillers who work in your area.

Get 3 free quotes from licensed well drilling contractors near you, or visit our state cost guides for detailed pricing in your state.