Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner | Cost and Pricing
During the summers, Arizona residents have three things on their minds:
- How to cool down from the heat,
- How to cool down from the heat, and finally
- How to cool down from the heat
Like many people, you might find yourself wanting to cannonball into a refreshing swimming pool on scorching summer days.
And wouldn’t it be nice if that pool was in your backyard?
How much would that even cost?
At River Pools, we manufacture fiberglass swimming pools for customers across the country, including Arizona, so we have a good idea of how much inground pools cost to build.
In this article, we’re going to break down an overview of prices for the different inground pool types to help you make your inground pool dreams come true.
Cost of Inground Pool in Arizona
| Inground Pool Type | Inground Pool Cost Arizona |
| Vinyl Liner | $25,000 - $65,000 |
| Concrete | $50,000 - $100,000 |
| Fiberglass | $40,000 - $85,000 |
*These are average price ranges for the various inground pool types and do not reflect accurate quotes for individual projects.
In Arizona (including the Phoenix, Prescott, Jerome, Flagstaff, Buckeye, Tucson, etc. areas), your inground pool cost should fall within the $25,000 to $100,000 price range depending on the type of pool that you build and its size and design. That's a huge gap, so let's dive deeper into the details of those prices.
How much does a vinyl liner pool cost in Arizona?
A vinyl liner pool might cost you between $25,000 on the low end and $65,000 or more on the upper end throughout the state of Arizona. Smaller vinyl pools might cost between $25,000 and $35,000, with DIY pools being cheaper depending on how much you can do on your own. Medium-sized pools might cost between $35,000 and $45,000. Large vinyl liner pools might cost between $45,000 and $65,000 and up.
Note: Size is just one factor that goes into the total cost of your vinyl pool project. The more accessories you add and the more upgrades you select, the more your pool will cost regardless of size.
How to Lower the Cost of Your Vinyl Pool
If you want to get your vinyl pool as cheaply as possible, here are a few factors that can lower the price:
- Choose a smaller pool size
- Select metal walls over polymer
- DIY parts of the project (with caution)
- Choose a thinner liner
- Choose a concrete pool deck
- Add pool accessories later
- Expand your patio later
Are vinyl liner pools good in Arizona?
Arizona is known for its insanely high temperatures, so how do vinyl liner pools fare in that type of weather? Vinyl pools do just fine in high temperatures, but we want to caution you about draining your pool and leaving it empty. First of all, that's a big inground pool no-no, and the liner in a drained pool is also bound to crack under the heat of the AZ sun. But overall, liner pools can help you save on upfront costs, and they come with a few other benefits:
- Less prone to algae
- Softer surface for walking and sitting
- Variety of designs and colors to choose from
- DIY friendly
Read more: Vinyl Liner Pool Basics: Pros, Cons, and How They’re Made
How much does a concrete pool cost in Arizona?
A concrete (AKA gunite or shotcrete) pool in Arizona may cost between $50,000 on the lower end and $100,000 or more on the upper end. A smaller concrete pool might cost you between $50,000 to $55,000 and up. A medium-sized concrete pool may cost you between $55,000 to $70,000, while a large concrete pool might cost around $70,000 to $100,000 and beyond.
Note: These are average prices for concrete inground pools. The actual price of your pool project will depend on the pool size, materials, accessories, landscaping, installation, and more.
Read more: Concrete Pool Basics: Pros, Cons, and How They’re Made
How to Lower the Cost of Your Concrete Pool
Want to get a concrete pool as cheaply as possible? Here are a few of our top tips:
- Build a smaller, shallower pool
- Choose a plaster finish
- Select a concrete patio
- Add features and accessories later
- Expand your patio later
Are concrete pools good in Arizona?
Concrete pools are very common throughout the state of Arizona and seem to do well in the warm weather. The main issues with concrete pools and weather have to do with freezing temperatures. Repeated freezing and thawing can cause concrete to crack, which can lead to structural problems like leaks.
Read more: 10 Common Concrete Pool Problems and How to Avoid Them
How much does a fiberglass pool cost in Arizona?
A fiberglass pool in Arizona might cost you between $40,000 and $85,000 and up depending on the pool size and installation package. A small fiberglass pool might cost $40,000 to $45,000 to install in Arizona. A medium-sized fiberglass pool might cost you $45,000 to $50,000 and up, while a large fiberglass pool might cost $55,000 to $85,000 and up.
Want more accurate fiberglass pool pricing? You can try out our fiberglass pool pricing calculator here or request custom pricing using the button below.
Ways to Lower the Cost of Your Fiberglass Pool
If you want to get your fiberglass pool as cheaply as possible, here's what we recommend:
- Choose a smaller pool model
- Get your pool installed during the offseason
- Choose a concrete patio
- Add accessories later
- Expand your patio later
Are fiberglass pools good in Arizona?
Fiberglass pools perform very well in a wide range of climates and are not negatively impacted by hot or cold weather. The flexibility and durability of fiberglass makes it able to withstand extreme hot and freezing temperatures without cracking.
Still can't decide which inground pool will work best for you? You can read our comparison guide here or download our free ebook below.
How to Finance Your Inground Pool
Unless you're Walter White and have a garage full of cash hidden somewhere, you might be looking into your swimming pool loan options. Most swimming pool loan interest rates sit within the 5% to 10% range, and many loans can be provided for projects up to $250,000 dollars or more.
We've even found that pool loan payments can be as low as $565 per month or lower (with no down payment), depending on the loan terms and the cost of your project.
Read more: Pool Loans 101: Rates, Payments, and How to Qualify
If you are ready to explore your inground pool options, you can visit our educational video library today to learn more about the different inground pool types. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below and we will answer them as soon as possible.
At River Pools, we manufacture world-class fiberglass pools for customers across North America. You can browse our pool models here or take a look at our inground pool gallery for more inspiration. Happy swimming!
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A Guide to Inground Swimming Pool Size, Costs, and Prices: Everything You Should Know