Cheapest States for Solar Panel | 2026 Rankings
Where you live has a major impact on solar panel costs. In 2026, Texas is the most affordable state for solar panel projects with a typical cost of $13,020, while Idaho is the most expensive at $20,100.
The table below ranks all 44 states by typical solar panel cost, from cheapest to most expensive. Differences are driven by local labor markets, material availability, building codes, and permit requirements.
At a Glance
5 Cheapest States
5 Most Expensive States
Full 44-State Solar Panel Cost Rankings
Sorted by typical project cost, cheapest first. Click any state to see a detailed cost breakdown.
| Rank | State | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | $8,680 | $13,020 | $21,700 |
| 2 | Arizona | $8,800 | $13,200 | $22,000 |
| 3 | Florida | $8,800 | $13,200 | $22,000 |
| 4 | North Carolina | $9,040 | $13,560 | $22,600 |
| 5 | Nevada | $9,680 | $14,520 | $24,200 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | $9,680 | $14,520 | $24,200 |
| 7 | Georgia | $9,760 | $14,640 | $24,400 |
| 8 | Arkansas | $9,880 | $14,820 | $24,700 |
| 9 | California | $10,040 | $15,060 | $25,100 |
| 10 | Virginia | $10,080 | $15,120 | $25,200 |
| 11 | Delaware | $10,120 | $15,180 | $25,300 |
| 12 | Missouri | $10,160 | $15,240 | $25,400 |
| 13 | South Carolina | $10,240 | $15,360 | $25,600 |
| 14 | Kentucky | $10,320 | $15,480 | $25,800 |
| 15 | Maryland | $10,360 | $15,540 | $25,900 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $10,360 | $15,540 | $25,900 |
| 17 | Louisiana | $10,600 | $15,900 | $26,500 |
| 18 | Oregon | $10,640 | $15,960 | $26,600 |
| 19 | Mississippi | $10,680 | $16,020 | $26,700 |
| 20 | Washington | $10,760 | $16,140 | $26,900 |
| 21 | Colorado | $10,920 | $16,380 | $27,300 |
| 22 | Connecticut | $10,920 | $16,380 | $27,300 |
| 23 | Ohio | $10,920 | $16,380 | $27,300 |
| 24 | Vermont | $11,000 | $16,500 | $27,500 |
| 25 | New Jersey | $11,080 | $16,620 | $27,700 |
| 26 | New Mexico | $11,080 | $16,620 | $27,700 |
| 27 | New York | $11,080 | $16,620 | $27,700 |
| 28 | Kansas | $11,200 | $16,800 | $28,000 |
| 29 | Montana | $11,200 | $16,800 | $28,000 |
| 30 | Rhode Island | $11,240 | $16,860 | $28,100 |
| 31 | Indiana | $11,480 | $17,220 | $28,700 |
| 32 | District of Columbia | $11,520 | $17,280 | $28,800 |
| 33 | Maine | $11,520 | $17,280 | $28,800 |
| 34 | Illinois | $11,720 | $17,580 | $29,300 |
| 35 | Michigan | $12,000 | $18,000 | $30,000 |
| 36 | Minnesota | $12,080 | $18,120 | $30,200 |
| 37 | Alabama | $12,280 | $18,420 | $30,700 |
| 38 | New Hampshire | $12,280 | $18,420 | $30,700 |
| 39 | Massachusetts | $12,320 | $18,480 | $30,800 |
| 40 | Wisconsin | $12,360 | $18,540 | $30,900 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $13,240 | $19,860 | $33,100 |
| 42 | Iowa | $13,280 | $19,920 | $33,200 |
| 43 | Hawaii | $13,360 | $20,040 | $33,400 |
| 44 | Idaho | $13,400 | $20,100 | $33,500 |
Green rows = 5 cheapest states. Red rows = 5 most expensive states. Data reflects 2026 averages.
How these rankings were built
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), Craftsman National Estimator, NAHB permit data
Ranking method: States sorted by typical (mid-range) project cost using state-level labor, material, and overhead averages
See our full methodology. Report an error.
Rankings for Other Projects
Compare state-by-state rankings for other home improvement projects: