Electrical panel upgrade cost
Upgrading an electrical panel to 200 amps typically costs $2,000–$3,800 for a panel replacement, and $3,500–$5,500 when the service entrance must be replaced too. Estimate yours and get matched with a licensed electrician, or up to three to compare.
Panel upgrade cost calculator
Planning estimate. A licensed electrician gives the final price after a load calculation and a look at your service.
Panel upgrade cost breakdown
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Panel replacement 100A → 200A (keep service entrance) | $2,000 – $3,800 |
| 200A upgrade with a new service entrance | $3,500 – $5,500 |
| Subpanel | $500 – $2,500 |
| Electrical permit | $25 – $800 |
Panel replacement vs. service upgrade
A panel replacement swaps the breaker box and keeps the existing service entrance. A service upgrade also replaces the meter base and the cables from the utility, so it needs the utility to disconnect and reconnect power, which is why it costs more. Your electrician confirms which one your home needs.
What raises the cost
- Replacing the service entrance (meter base, service cables) on top of the panel.
- Moving the panel to a new location, which means extending every circuit.
- Bringing old wiring up to code when the inspector finds problems during the permit inspection.
- Local labor rates, which differ widely by metro area (see below).
Before you upgrade: cheaper options
- Load calculation. An electrician adds up your home's major loads to see whether your current service can carry the new circuit at all.
- Subpanel ($500–$2,500) when you are out of breaker slots but not out of capacity.
- For an EV charger: a 40A circuit or a load-management device that limits charging when the house draws a lot of power. See EV charger installation cost.
Estimated panel upgrade cost by city
From a panel replacement (low) to a service upgrade (high), adjusted by local electrician wages from BLS OEWS. Excludes the permit.
| City | Estimated range |
|---|---|
| Houston, TX | $1,720 – $4,730 |
| Dallas, TX | $1,680 – $4,610 |
| Austin, TX | $1,700 – $4,680 |
| San Antonio, TX | $1,600 – $4,390 |
| Fort Worth, TX | $1,680 – $4,610 |
| Plano, TX | $1,680 – $4,610 |
| The Woodlands, TX | $1,720 – $4,730 |
| Miami, FL | $1,680 – $4,610 |
| Orlando, FL | $1,550 – $4,260 |
| Tampa, FL | $1,620 – $4,460 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $1,620 – $4,450 |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | $1,680 – $4,610 |
| Boca Raton, FL | $1,680 – $4,610 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $1,800 – $4,950 |
| Scottsdale, AZ | $1,800 – $4,950 |
| Mesa, AZ | $1,800 – $4,950 |
| Chandler, AZ | $1,800 – $4,950 |
| Tucson, AZ | $1,720 – $4,740 |
| Atlanta, GA | $1,740 – $4,770 |
| Alpharetta, GA | $1,740 – $4,770 |
| Marietta, GA | $1,740 – $4,770 |
| Roswell, GA | $1,740 – $4,770 |
| Johns Creek, GA | $1,740 – $4,770 |
| Cumming, GA | $1,740 – $4,770 |
| Seattle, WA | $2,790 – $7,670 |
| Bellevue, WA | $2,790 – $7,670 |
| Tacoma, WA | $2,790 – $7,670 |
| Spokane, WA | $2,370 – $6,520 |
| Federal Way, WA | $2,790 – $7,670 |
| Denver, CO | $1,890 – $5,200 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $1,720 – $4,720 |
| Boulder, CO | $1,910 – $5,250 |
| Aurora, CO | $1,890 – $5,200 |
| Westminster, CO | $1,890 – $5,200 |
| Charlotte, NC | $1,650 – $4,550 |
| Raleigh, NC | $1,600 – $4,390 |
| Durham, NC | $1,670 – $4,590 |
| Richmond, VA | $1,740 – $4,800 |
| Norfolk, VA | $1,760 – $4,850 |
| Alexandria, VA | $2,230 – $6,130 |
Panel upgrade questions
How much does it cost to upgrade an electrical panel to 200 amps?
A straight panel replacement from 100A to 200A typically costs $2,000–$3,800. If the service entrance (the meter base and cables from the utility) must be replaced too, expect $3,500–$5,500. Add the permit, usually $25–$800.
Is a subpanel cheaper than a panel upgrade?
Usually. A subpanel typically costs $500–$2,500. It helps when you are out of breaker space but your service still has spare capacity. It does not add capacity, so a load calculation decides which one you need.
Do I need a panel upgrade for an EV charger?
Not always. A Level 2 charger needs a dedicated 40–60 amp circuit. Many 200A homes have room; older 100A services are the most likely to need changes. A smaller 40A circuit or a load-management device can sometimes avoid an upgrade.
Sources
- EV Charger Installation Cost in 2026 (eviqo) — 2026-07-02
- How much does an EV charger installation cost? (EnergySage) — updated Jun 22, 2026 per fetched text