How much does a walk in tub cost? In our current listings, the walk in tub cost runs from $1,999 for a non-jetted soaker to $6,502.06 for a wheelchair accessible soaker, with most air, whirlpool and combination models between $2,299.99 and $4,326. Installation is a separate budget. Bob Vila’s 2023 guide puts labor for a simple retrofit at $700 to $3,000, and This Old House puts a standard size walk-in tub at about $4,600 on average installed.
Walk in tub cost by type: prices from our listings
Listed prices at the time of writing; sizes and features come from each listing.
| Type | Tub | Size | From the listing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soaking | ANZZI 29 x 52 Quick Fill Walk-In Soaking Tub | 52.25 x 29 x 40 in | No electrical wiring, Quick Fill faucet included | $1,999 |
| Soaking, low step-in | Venzi 30 x 60 Step In Walk In Bathtub | 60 x 30 x 22 in | 40 gallon fill, faucet not included | $2,476.90 |
| Soaking | Venzi 30 x 54 Walk In Bathtub | 54 x 30 x 37 in | 60 gallon fill, faucet not included | $3,084.30 |
| Soaking | ANZZI Coupe Premier 53 to 60 x 28 Soaking Tub | 53 to 60 x 28 in | Quick Fill faucet, 7 in extension kit for 60 in | $3,264 |
| Air | ANZZI Value Series 30 x 60 Walk-In Air Tub | 30 x 60 in | 18 air jets, Quick Fill faucet | $2,299.99 |
| Air | ANZZI Coupe Premier 53 to 60 x 28 Air Jetted Tub | 53 to 60 x 28 in | 115 micro jets across 23 injectors | $4,326 |
| Air and whirlpool | ANZZI 53 to 60 x 26 Air and Whirlpool Tub | 53 to 60 x 26 in | 15 whirlpool and 23 air jets, inline heater, powered fast drain | $3,495 |
| Wheelchair access, jetted | ANZZI Fully Loaded Wheelchair Access Walk-In Tub | Not listed | Air and whirlpool jets, auto drain, 190 lbs | $2,996.25 |
| Wheelchair access, soaking | Venzi 30 x 60 Wheelchair Accessible Walk In Bathtub | 60 x 30 x 43 in | Outward swinging door, 45 gallon fill, faucet not included | $6,502.06 |
Jets do not always cost more than a premium soaker: the 18 jet Value Series air tub is listed below several non-jetted models. Some listings include a Quick Fill faucet and others say the faucet set is not included, so compare what is in the box, not just the price. And in our catalog the left and right drain versions of the same model are sometimes priced differently, so if your bathroom works with either side, check both. For a side by side on jet systems, read our air tub vs whirlpool tub guide. Browse the full ANZZI lineup for more sizes.
What drives the price of a walk-in tub
Type is the biggest lever. This Old House lists typical tub-only ranges of $2,000 to $4,000 for a basic soaking tub, $4,750 to $7,500 for hydrotherapy or whirlpool, $5,000 to $9,000 for air jets and $5,000 to $12,000 for wheelchair accessible models. Several of our listed prices fall below those ranges, especially the jetted models, so get quotes on the tub and the installation separately.
Door style matters too. This Old House says outward opening doors can add $500 to $2,000 and wide entry wheelchair doors $1,000 to $3,000. In our table, the Venzi wheelchair accessible tub is listed about $4,000 above the same brand’s 30 x 60 step in soaker, though it is also a much taller tub.
A shorter tub only saves money if it fits your space without new framing. Our standard bathtub size guide explains alcove sizes and how to measure the opening.
Walk in tub installation cost
Installation depends on whether you swap a tub in the same spot or change the layout:
- Simple retrofit labor (remove the old tub, set the new one, replace tile): $700 to $3,000, per Bob Vila.
- Basic installation including removal, placement, plumbing hookups and sealing: $1,500 to $3,500, rising to $5,000 or more with new drain lines or electrical upgrades, per This Old House.
- Converting a shower to a walk-in tub: $3,000 to $8,000, per This Old House.
- Moving walls or plumbing to make room: $5,000 to $15,000 or more, per This Old House.
Our tubs ship by freight, and the listings say delivery is curbside only: the carrier unloads the tub but does not carry it inside. Plan who will move it in.
Hidden costs to budget for
Water heater capacity
The Venzi listings in our table show average fill capacities of 40 to 60 gallons. This Old House suggests asking whether the tub size will require a water heater upgrade. Compare fill volume against your tank before you buy.
Dedicated electrical for jets and heaters
Air jets, whirlpool pumps and inline heaters need power. This Old House notes that any install mixing water and line voltage calls for a licensed electrician and GFCI protection. Bob Vila lists typical electrician rates of $50 to $100 per hour. A non-jetted soaker avoids this cost entirely.
Demolition and plumbing
Bob Vila lists old tub removal at $200 to $1,200, new 3/4 inch supply lines for faster fill and drain at $600 to $1,600, and floor reinforcement at $300 to $800. A full walk-in tub is heavy, and our freestanding bathtub buying guide explains how water weight adds up.
Door and drain side
Moving a drain means new plumbing, so match the tub’s drain side to your current drain and to the side the bather enters from.
Permits
Plumbing and electrical work often needs a permit and inspection, so ask your contractor to include fees in the quote. A licensed plumber and electrician, along with your local code, have the final word on what your install requires.
Walk in tub Medicare coverage and tax rules
Medicare Part B covers medically necessary durable medical equipment ordered by your doctor for home use. According to Medicare.gov, equipment must be durable, used for a medical reason, typically only useful to someone who is sick or injured, used in your home and expected to last at least 3 years. Walk-in tubs do not appear in its list of covered examples. When an item is covered, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible if your supplier accepts assignment, and Medicare only pays for items from suppliers enrolled in Medicare. This Old House adds that some state Medicaid programs may partly reimburse the tub price but not installation. Confirm with Medicare, your plan or your state Medicaid office before counting on coverage.
On taxes, IRS Publication 502 says you can include the cost of special equipment or home improvements whose main purpose is medical care, reduced by any increase in your home’s value. Its list of qualifying changes includes installing railings, support bars or other modifications to bathrooms. Only reasonable costs to accommodate a disability count, and only medical expenses above 7.5% of adjusted gross income are deductible. We are not tax advisors, so confirm with a tax professional.
A sample walk-in tub budget
Examples only, not quotes. The ANZZI 29 x 52 soaker at $1,999 plus Bob Vila’s $700 to $3,000 retrofit labor comes to roughly $2,699 to $4,999, with no electrical work needed. The ANZZI 53 to 60 inch air and whirlpool tub at $3,495 plus the same labor lands at roughly $4,195 to $6,495 before the electrician. Both are over $999, so freight shipping is free.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average walk in tub installation cost?
This Old House puts a standard size walk-in tub at about $4,600 on average installed, with a range of $1,800 to $20,000 or more. Labor alone for a simple swap runs $700 to $3,000 according to Bob Vila.
Does Medicare pay for a walk in tub?
Medicare.gov’s durable medical equipment page does not list walk-in tubs, and its definition requires equipment typically only useful to someone who is sick or injured. Ask Medicare or your plan directly before buying.
Is a jetted walk-in tub worth the extra cost?
Only if you will use them. Jets add electrical work and cleaning. Our best walk-in tubs for seniors guide covers safety features to prioritize first.
Questions about sizing or drain side? Call us at 866-777-2590 (Mon to Fri, 9AM to 6PM PST). Orders of $999 or more ship free freight, and orders below that ship for a $200 flat rate. See our return and refund policy before you order.
