Michigan Ranks 10th Most Expensive State to Run a Backyard Pool, New Data Reveals

With pool season approaching, new data from Compare the Market reveals that Michigan ranks among the most expensive states in the US to run a backyard swimming pool, with average annual costs of around $28,369, placing it 10th highest nationwide.

The analysis compares all 50 states using a consistent model, highlighting how climate and energy prices impact the true cost of pool ownership.

In Michigan:

Annual pool running cost: ~$28,369
Ranks 10th most expensive nationwide
Higher heating demand due to cooler average temperatures
Costs significantly more than southern states like Florida (~$7,611)

How the data was calculated:

The study models a standard residential outdoor pool (9x4x1.7m) maintained at 29°C, using an electric heater and a typical 0.37 kW pump running 8 hours per day.

Total annual costs are based on three key factors:

Energy costs (state-level electricity prices applied to pump usage and heating demand)
Heating requirements (based on each state’s average temperature and heat loss from the pool surface)
Water costs (factoring in evaporation rates and average household water pricing)

This approach allows for a like-for-like comparison across states, showing how ongoing pool costs can vary dramatically depending on local conditions.

Full rankings and methodology: https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/energy/features/swimming-pool-cost-index/

America’s Most Expensive States to Run a Backyard Pool

Rank	State	Estimated Annual Pool Running Cost
1	Alaska	$53,010
2	Maine	$44,205
3	Massachusetts	$39,782
4	New Hampshire	$38,292
5	Rhode Island	$37,010
6	New York	$36,516
7	Vermont	$35,553
8	Connecticut	$34,148
9	California	$29,400
10	Michigan	$28,369

America’s Cheapest States to Run a Backyard Pool

Rank	State	Estimated Annual Pool Running Cost
1	Florida	$7,611
2	Georgia	$10,637
3	Mississippi	$10,693
4	Arkansas	$11,096
5	Texas	$11,124
6	South Carolina	$12,028
7	Tennessee	$12,253
8	Alabama	$12,626
9	Oklahoma	$12,540
10	Arizona	$13,169

Methodology:

This dataset assesses the cost of operating a swimming pool across multiple metrics for each US state. To ensure consistency and easy comparison, a standard residential outdoor pool size of 9x4x1.7 meters is used, with a target casual swimming pool temperature set at 29°C. The calculations assume the use of a standard pump, the Swimm 500, suitable for the pool size, and that heating is done using an electric heater. States are ranked based on the total annual cost of operating a pool, derived from the provided metrics.

Metrics Used to Calculate Total Cost:

Annual Energy Cost of Running the Pump for 8 Hours per Day

This metric is calculated using the average energy cost for each state and the energy rating of the pool pump (0.37 kW).

Annual Energy Cost of Heating the Pool to 29°C

The energy required to heat the pool to 29°C is calculated using the coefficient of heat transfer from water to air (13.89), the surface area of the pool, and the temperature difference between the target pool temperature and the average ambient temperature of each state. The energy cost is then calculated based on the average residential energy rate in the respective state.

Annual Water Cost of Maintaining the Water Level Based on Evaporation

The water evaporation rate is calculated using the average Class A pan evaporation rate for each state. This is multiplied by the pool’s surface area and the average cost of water per kilolitre (kL) in the state. For the US dataset, water costs are further adjusted based on average household water use and monthly water bills.