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Drain Cleaning Cost Trend (2026)

up 4.0%
Year-over-year change in drain cleaning costs. National average now ~$300.
National avg: $300
Typical range: $150$800
Since 2021: +30%

The national average cost of drain cleaning has risen about 4.0% over the past year, reaching roughly $300 in 2026. Drain service is mostly labor, so prices track plumber wage growth — steady mid-single-digit increases.

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Drain Cleaning cost trajectory, 2021–2026

Estimated national drain cleaning cost (indexed from BLS producer-price data)
$0k$0k$0k$0k$0k$2302021$2502022$2702023$2802024$2902025$3002026

Indexed estimate (2021 = 100) based on BLS Producer Price Index category data and skilled-trade wage growth; actual prices vary by city and scope.

Where drain cleaning costs the most & least

Local prices swing widely around the national average — driven by labor rates, climate, and permit costs. Here is how drain cleaning ranks across the 50 metros we track.

RankMetroLocal factorAvg. cost
1Los Angeles, CA1.16$350
2San Francisco, CA1.18$350
3New York, NY1.13$340
4Miami, FL1.12$340
5Seattle, WA1.13$340
6San Jose, CA1.13$340
7Washington, DC1.09$330
8Boston, MA1.12$330
9San Diego, CA1.11$330
10Sacramento, CA1.09$330
11Phoenix, AZ1.05$320
12Denver, CO1.05$320
13Riverside, CA1.08$320
14Portland, OR1.07$320
15Chicago, IL1.03$310
16Dallas, TX1.03$310
17Philadelphia, PA1.03$310
18Minneapolis, MN1.04$310
19Tampa, FL1.03$310
20Baltimore, MD1.03$310
21Hartford, CT1.03$310
22Houston, TX1.00$300
23Atlanta, GA1.01$300
24Orlando, FL1.01$300
25Providence, RI1.01$300
26Jacksonville, FL0.99$300
27Charlotte, NC0.97$290
28Detroit, MI0.98$290
29St. Louis, MO0.96$290
30Las Vegas, NV0.97$290
31Austin, TX0.98$290
32Nashville, TN0.97$290
33Virginia Beach, VA0.97$290
34Milwaukee, WI0.95$290
35Richmond, VA0.98$290
36Raleigh, NC0.98$290
37Salt Lake City, UT0.96$290
38San Antonio, TX0.94$280
39Pittsburgh, PA0.94$280
40Cincinnati, OH0.94$280
41Kansas City, MO0.93$280
42Columbus, OH0.94$280
43Cleveland, OH0.93$280
44Indianapolis, IN0.95$280
45Memphis, TN0.92$280
46Louisville, KY0.94$280
47Buffalo, NY0.94$280
48Birmingham, AL0.93$280
49Oklahoma City, OK0.91$270
50New Orleans, LA0.91$270
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Frequently asked questions

Are drain cleaning costs going up in 2026?
Yes. Drain Cleaning costs have risen roughly 4.0% year-over-year, to a national average of about $300. Drain service is mostly labor, so prices track plumber wage growth — steady mid-single-digit increases.
What is the average cost of drain cleaning in 2026?
The U.S. average is about $300 before local adjustment, typically ranging from $150 to $800 depending on scope and your city.
Why have drain cleaning prices changed?
Drain service is mostly labor, so prices track plumber wage growth — steady mid-single-digit increases.

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