Saltwater vs Chlorine Cost Comparison
5-year cost projection comparing total ownership costs between saltwater and traditional chlorine pools.
How it works
Saltwater: $1500-2500 upfront SWG + $100-150/yr salt + $0 chlorine + Cell replacement $400-800 every 3-7 yrsChlorine: $0 upfront + $300-800/yr chemicals + Labor
- You enter
- Pool volume (gallons), pool type (material), current system type (or planned), utility rates, local costs, maintenance frequency
- You get
- Saltwater 5-year total, chlorine 5-year total, annual savings, payback period (years), cost breakdown by category
How accurate is it? Saltwater lower annual chemical costs but higher equipment upfront; SWG cell life varies (2-7 yrs) by water quality.
These are estimates, not quotes. See How We Estimate.
Worked example
20,000-gal pool: Saltwater 5-yr = $2000 SWG + $150/yr salt×5 + $600 cell replacement = $3,350 | Chlorine 5-yr = $600/yr chemicals×5 = $3,000 | Breakeven ~4-5 yrs.
Tap an example above the calculator to see it worked with live numbers.
Reference table
| Category | Typical LA-area range per year |
|---|---|
| Chemicals | $200–$600 |
| Electricity | $400–$900 |
| Repair reserve | $500–$1,000 |
When to use it
Evaluates financial case for converting to saltwater or choosing system type for new pool.
System selection for new pool, conversion decision for existing pool, property upgrade ROI analysis.