In-Ground vs. Above-Ground Pools: Which Is the Best Investment?

Figuring out if an above-ground vs. an in-ground pool is the best fit for your yard, budget and lifestyle can be a complicated decision. They differ significantly in a many ways, from upfront cost, maintenance, ability to customize to overall lifespan.

How much it adds depends on several factors, including the type and style of the pool and whether pools are a must-have feature where you live.

Only you can determine the true return on investment. A pool can add value to your quality of life and enhance the enjoyment of your home. The "Remodeling Impact Report for 2023" from The National Association of Realtors (NAR) showed a joy score, the level of homeowner satisfaction with an improvement, was 10 out of 10. 

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In-ground vs above-ground pools: basic differences

• Excavation and installation: In-ground pools go into the ground, so they require site prep and excavation. Above-ground pools sit on top of the ground, on a concrete slab or a deck. While they typically don’t require excavation, you’ll likely need to level the ground.
• Permanence: In-ground pools are a permanent addition to your property, while above-ground pools are a temporary option. Above-ground pools are more easily and cheaply removed from your property than in-ground pools.
• Ability to customize: Above-ground pools are pre-fabricated in a limited number of shapes and sizes, but the options for customizing an in-ground pool are nearly limitless.

Above-ground pools

An above-ground pool is the least expensive option for a swimming pool. They’re a good choice for yards that are small or have unsuitable conditions for in-ground pools. Their big advantage, in addition to price, is that they take just a few days to a few weeks install, they can arrive in a kit form and are installed by professionals. These semi-permanent pools are installed directly on the ground, on a deck, or on a concrete slab. 

An above-ground pool costs $1,600 to $7,500 with installation, depending on the size, shape, and material, according to homeguide.com. For the pool itself, prices typically range from $800 to $4,500 and $800 to $3,000 on average for labor according to homeguide.com data. 

In-ground pools

A permanently installed in-ground pool can add value to your home, particularly if you live in a climate that is warm most of the year. There are countless ideas for the shape of your pool, the materials for the liner or walls, the decking or paving materials to surround it, and the upgrades you can add on like waterfalls, slides and diving boards. 

The cost of installing an in-ground pool can vary greatly with size, location and materials used. The national average hovers around $65,000. You can expect to pay anywhere from $80 to $250 a square foot (with installation) or $25,000 to $100,000 total according to homeguide.com data. Fiberglass and vinyl swimming pools are the cheapest options but don't last as long as concrete pools. 

There is also a significant cost to removing an in-ground pool. The same factors that contribute to the price of building a pool add to the removal costs.  The size, material and accessibility, can all cause your total cost to be higher than the national average of $6,000, according to Angi.com data. Heavy machinery is required to demolish the pool and engineering expertise is needed to make the land safe and buildable after removal. 

Above-ground vs. in-ground pools: how they compare

The main disadvantage of an above-ground pool is that it generally adds no value to your home. They also have some of the same problems as in-ground pools, such as water evaporation and maintenance issues. They typically come in either 48 inches deep or 52 inches deep so they are not suitable or safe for diving. 

The main drawback of an in-ground pool is the price tag. Costs can easily climb to $90,000 or higher, and it will likely raise your property taxes. And only 1% of real estate agents would recommend adding a pool before selling according to NAR. There are also the additional yearly maintenance expenses not associated with above-ground pools. It costs $300 to $650 to open and close the pool each year. (These costs are often included in comprehensive weekly service contracts.) 

Does an in-ground swimming pool add value to your home?

Adding an in-ground pool can boost your home’s worth by around 7 percent, according to Bankrate.com. Above-ground pools are considered temporary and are not typically included in a home appraisal and therefore add no value to the appraised value. 

The Remodeling Impact Report from NAR estimates that adding an inground pool offers an return on investment (ROI) of around 56%. The average cost to install a swimming pool is around $90,000, and the project increases the value of a home by roughly $50,000. 

Here are three factors that can help you determine if a swimming pool will add positive value to your home:

• If you live in a neighborhood where many of your neighbors have swimming pools. In those circumstances not having a pool might decrease your home’s marketability.
• In warm climates, such as Arizona or Florida, a pool can be an attractive feature for potential buyers.
• Not everyone wants a the risks or costs associated with a pool. Couples with very young children may shy away from pools because of safety issues. And you may need to add or modify the fencing around your yard to comply with pool safety regulations in your state or community.

Bottom line

While some pools add more value than others, adding a swimming pool should be based on personal enjoyment rather than a means of driving up your home’s price. Even a pool that checks all the “smart investment” boxes would still only bring a maximum 7% increase in value according to houselogic.com. If you give a pool a "joy score" of 10 out of 10, it will pay for itself in one summer.  

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