If you’re researching swim spas, you’re probably trying to answer a pretty simple question: What should I expect to spend?
A swim spa typically costs $20,000 to $70,000+, depending on its size, swim-current system, hydrotherapy features, construction, and insulation. At our Anaheim showroom, our swim spas are currently priced at approximately $18,500 to $39,500.
But there’s another number you’ll want to know before you choose a model: what will it cost to get the swim spa into your backyard and ready to use?
Delivery, the foundation, electrical work, and site preparation can add roughly $2,000 to $20,000, depending on your property.
So rather than giving you one headline price and leaving you to figure out the rest, let’s look at what you’re actually paying for, and where the differences between swim spas come from.
Swim Spa Price Ranges at Backyards In Style
We’ve made it easy to get a feel for what you can expect at different price points.
Compact Fitness: About $18,500 to $23,000
If you have a smaller Southern California backyard but still want a genuine swim current, this is a good place to start.
Length: 12 to 14 ft
Models: Swim Pro F-1325, Swim Pro X F-1325X, Freestyle F-1437, Freestyle-X F-1437X, Stream 13
These models give you a dedicated space for swimming and fitness without requiring a 17-foot swim spa.
Full-Size Fitness: About $25,000 to $29,000
If you want more room to swim, exercise, and spend time with family, you’ll find it in this range.
Length: 16.5 to 17.5 ft
Models: Commander F-1655, Commander X F-1655X, Depth-X F-1680X, Olympian F-1868DZ
You’ll also find more advanced Cal Spas® jet systems in this range, which can make a meaningful difference if swimming performance is high on your list.
Premium Family: About $32,000 to $39,500
At the premium end of our range, you’ll find Sundance® lounge seating, larger swim areas, and premium construction in a 17-foot shell.
Length: 17.4 ft
These models are worth considering if you want your swim spa to do more than provide a place to exercise.
The 12 Splash™ is priced on request.
One thing to keep in mind: listed prices may not include installation options, accessories, or dealer fees. If you find a model you like, we’ll give you the current price and show you exactly what’s included.
What Determines the Cost of a Swim Spa?
You might look at two swim spas and wonder why one costs several thousand dollars more when they appear similar in size.
The difference is usually in what’s happening inside the shell.
Size and Length
A larger swim spa generally costs more because it requires more materials, water, equipment, and energy to operate.
But bigger isn’t automatically better.
If you’re primarily interested in swimming and exercise, you may not need the same size or seating configuration as a family that wants plenty of room for swimming, hydrotherapy, and relaxing together.
Think about how you’ll actually use the swim spa first. Then choose the size that supports that use.
Swim Current and Swimming Performance
If you’re buying a swim spa because you want to swim, don’t overlook the swim-current system.
Current strength, adjustability, and the way the water is propelled all affect how the swim spa feels in the water.
For example, Cal Spas® steps up from Jet System II in the Freestyle F-1437 to Jet System V in the Commander F-1655.
That’s why we encourage you to compare the swimming systems, not just the length of the swim spa.
A 14-foot model with a swim system that suits your needs may be a better choice for you than a longer model with features you’ll never use.
Hydrotherapy Features
Maybe swimming is only half the reason you’re considering a swim spa.
If you want somewhere to relax after a workout, ease tired muscles, or simply enjoy the water at the end of the day, hydrotherapy becomes much more important.
Depending on the model, you can find features such as:
- Massage jets
- Dedicated hydrotherapy seats
- Foot and leg jets
- Adjustable water pressure
- Reclining seats
- Multiple massage zones
The more sophisticated the hydrotherapy system, the more it can add to the price.
Our advice is simple: decide which features you’ll actually use. There’s no reason to pay for a feature you don’t care about.
Construction and Insulation
The parts you don’t immediately see can have a big effect on what you pay, and what you spend later.
The shell, insulation, pumps, controls, and filtration system all contribute to the purchase price. They can also affect energy consumption and long-term ownership costs.
That’s especially important if you plan to use your swim spa year-round.
For example, Sundance® Swim Spas use a 3-Layer RigidBond™ shell.
When you’re comparing models, don’t stop at the features you can see. Look at how the swim spa is built, too.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Swim Spa?
Once you’ve chosen a swim spa, you’ll need to think about the backyard itself.
For a straightforward installation, you can expect roughly $2,000 to $5,000 in installation-related costs. If you need a new pad or reinforced deck, that can move closer to $5,000 to $10,000. Crane access and significant site work can push the project to $10,000 to $20,000 or more.
Southern California labor rates can also affect the final cost.
Your property is the biggest variable here, so let’s break it down.
Delivery and Placement
A swim spa is extremely heavy, especially once it’s filled with water.
If there’s a clear path into your backyard, delivery can be relatively straightforward. If you have narrow gates, fences, retaining walls, overhead obstacles, or limited access, things get more complicated.
In some cases, you’ll need a crane. A crane lift typically adds around $500 to $2,500.
If you’re unsure whether your backyard can accommodate a swim spa, don’t guess. We can help you work through the access requirements before you commit to a model.
Our hot tub delivery guide for Southern California also covers the access and clearance issues you’ll want to consider.
Foundation or Concrete Pad
Your swim spa needs a solid, level foundation capable of supporting its full weight.
Our swim spas weigh approximately 9,800 to 24,500 pounds when filled, so this isn’t an area where we’d recommend cutting corners.
A concrete pad typically costs around $2 to $7 per square foot. If you’re using an existing deck, reinforcing it can cost approximately $500 to $2,000 or more, depending on the structure.
Already have a suitable foundation? Great. You may not need to build another one.
If you’re not sure whether your existing patio or deck is suitable, we can help you determine what your chosen model requires.
We’ve also put together a spa pad guide if you want to understand the basics before you get started.
Electrical Installation
Swim spas require substantial electrical service and must be connected by a qualified electrician according to local code.
Electrical work typically costs around $500 to $3,000, with permits adding approximately $200 to $1,000 where required.
Before you buy, you’ll want to know:
- Where the electrical connection will be located
- Whether your existing service has enough capacity
- Whether you’ll need a panel upgrade
- What permits or inspections apply
Most of our swim spas use 240V, and you’ll find the electrical specifications on each model page.
Site Preparation and Landscaping
Your backyard may need some additional work before the swim spa arrives.
Depending on your property, that might mean:
- Excavation and grading
- Drainage
- Removing landscaping
- Improving access
- Building a deck or patio
- Adding steps
- Leveling the installation area
As a general guide, leveling can cost approximately $3 to $6 per square foot, while smaller excavation projects can run around $100 per hour.
If you’re finishing the area around your swim spa, landscaping can add roughly $4 to $10 per square foot, while decking projects can run approximately $3,000 to $12,000.
If you have a smaller backyard, you can also read our guide to choosing a swim spa for a small backyard.
What Is the Total Cost of a Swim Spa?
Here’s where we recommend looking beyond the advertised price.
For the swim spas we carry, your total project will typically land somewhere between $20,500 and $60,000 or more, before optional landscaping.
That range is wide because every backyard is different.
You might have an easy-access property with an existing foundation and suitable electrical service. Someone else might need a new concrete pad, electrical upgrades, a crane, and additional site work.
That’s why two quotes can look very different even when they’re for similar swim spas.
The price on the showroom floor isn’t your total investment. Your installed price is.
What Should a Swim Spa Quote Include?
When you’re comparing prices, make sure you’re comparing the same thing.
Your quote should clearly identify whether it includes:
- The swim spa
- Cover, steps, and accessories
- Delivery and placement
- Foundation or concrete pad
- Electrical work and permits
- Installation and startup
- Water-care equipment
- Warranty
- Service and maintenance support
- Applicable taxes
- Required site work
If one quote looks higher than another, don’t assume you’re getting a worse deal.
The lower quote may simply leave delivery, electrical work, accessories, or installation for you to arrange separately.
We’ll give you an itemized quote so you can see exactly where your money is going.
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Swim Spa?
Once you’ve paid for the swim spa and installation, you’ll have ongoing operating costs to consider.
As a general estimate, expect around $30 to $150 per month for electricity and water care combined, plus occasional maintenance.
Your actual cost depends on the model you choose, how often you use it, your water temperature, insulation, and local electricity rates.
Electricity
Electricity typically accounts for around $20 to $100 per month, although your actual bill may fall outside that range.
The biggest variables are:
- Swim spa size and insulation
- Outdoor temperature
- Water temperature
- How often you use the swim spa
- How often you run the swim current
- Local electricity rates
If energy use is important to your decision, ask us about the specific models you’re comparing. It’s much more useful than relying on a generic monthly estimate.
Water Care
You’ll also spend money on sanitizer, pH balancing, testing, filters, and other water-care products.
We estimate approximately $10 to $50 per month, depending on the system and your usage.
Some of the swim spas we carry include systems designed to make water care easier.
Sundance® Swim Spas use MicroClean® Ultra filtration, with the ClearRay Active Oxygen® System on the Surf 17. Cal Spas® swim spas use the Twin Pure Silk™ System with dual ozonators.
If you’re not interested in spending your weekends managing water chemistry, let us know. We can help you compare the water-care systems before you choose.
Maintenance and Repairs
Like any equipment with pumps, heaters, controls, and filtration, a swim spa will need maintenance over time.
Routine maintenance and repair visits typically run around $110 to $350.
We think local service is worth considering before you buy. A warranty is important, but so is knowing who you’ll call when you need help.
Our service team handles water changes, inspections, repairs, and ongoing maintenance.
Is a Swim Spa Worth the Cost Compared With a Pool?
If you’re comparing a swim spa with a pool, we’d start with what you actually want from your backyard.
An inground pool can involve significant excavation, plumbing, electrical work, fencing, landscaping, and ongoing maintenance. A swim spa generally takes up less space and requires less disruption to your property.
But the bigger difference is how you use them.
A swim spa can give you:
- A place to swim and exercise
- Resistance training
- Hydrotherapy
- A place to relax
- Year-round use
- A much smaller footprint
If your dream is a large pool for entertaining and recreational swimming, a pool may be the better fit.
If you want somewhere to swim, work out, recover, and relax without dedicating most of your backyard to a pool, a swim spa may make more sense.
And if you’re deciding between a swim spa and a hot tub, take a look at our hot tub vs. swim spa guide.
Which Swim Spa Fits Your Goals?
You don’t need to know which model you want before you come see us.
In fact, we’d rather start somewhere else:
How do you plan to use it?
If This Is Your First Swim Spa and You Want to Keep the Budget in Check
Start with: Swim Pro F-1325
Cal Spas® calls this its most popular fitness model. Two river jets provide a swim current designed to support everyone from beginners to advanced swimmers.
If You Want Something Compact for the Family
Start with: Stream 13
At around 12 feet, it combines dual hydromassage lounges for adults with shallow seating for kids.
If Family Play Is the Priority
Start with: 12 Splash™
With two swim jets, Swedish massage, vortex seats, and a non-slip floor, it’s designed for more than just swimming laps.
If You Want Room for Family and Friends
Start with: Commander F-1655
Its 17-foot shell gives you more room to stretch out, with contoured bench seating running along the swim spa.
If You Want Deeper Water for Your Workouts
Start with: Depth-X F-1680X
At 63 inches deep, compared with approximately 51 inches on most Cal Spas® models, it gives you additional depth along with full vertical hydromassage.
If You Want to Swim and Soak Separately
Start with: Olympian F-1868DZ
You’ll get a dedicated swim zone alongside a separate three-person hot tub that reaches 104°F.
If You Want a Premium Family Swim Spa
Start with: Stream 17
You get dual lounges, kid seating, and a spacious swim area from Sundance®.
If Swimming Performance Comes First
Start with: Surf 17
Its extra-wide swim lane and two swim pumps provide an adjustable current designed for serious swimming.
You can also compare our Sundance® Swim Spas and Cal Spas® Swim Spas side by side.
How to Budget for a Swim Spa
Before you start comparing models, think about three things.
Where Will It Go?
Measure your available space and leave the necessary clearance around the swim spa.
Our swim spas range from approximately 12 to 17.5 feet long and about 7.75 feet wide.
Then look at how the swim spa will get from the delivery truck to its final location.
If you’re not sure whether your property will work, bring us the measurements or photos. We’ll help you think through the practical side before you choose a model.
How Will You Use It?
This is probably the most important question you’ll answer.
Do you want to swim every morning?
Recover after workouts?
Relax with your partner?
Give the kids somewhere to play?
Or do you want all of the above?
There’s no universally “best” swim spa. There’s a swim spa that’s better suited to what you want to do with it.
Which Features Matter to You?
Don’t spend your budget chasing the longest feature list.
If swimming performance matters most, prioritize the swim system.
If relaxation is important, look closely at the hydrotherapy.
If you’ll use it year-round, pay attention to construction and insulation.
Your best swim spa is the one that fits your priorities, not the one with the most features.
Swim Spa Cost FAQs
How much does a swim spa cost?
Most swim spas cost $20,000 to $70,000+, depending on size, equipment, construction, and features.
At our Anaheim showroom, our swim spas currently range from approximately $18,500 to $39,500 before installation.
What is the most affordable swim spa you carry?
Our Cal Spas® Swim Pro F-1325, currently priced at approximately $18,500, is our most affordable model.
It’s a 12.5-foot fitness swim spa with bench seating and a swim-current system.
How much does a swim spa cost installed?
For the swim spas we carry, we’d suggest budgeting approximately $20,500 to $60,000 or more, including installation.
Your property determines where you’ll fall within that range. Delivery access, the foundation, electrical requirements, and site preparation can all change the final cost.
How much does it cost to run a swim spa?
A reasonable starting estimate is $30 to $150 per month for electricity and water care, although your actual costs will depend on the model, insulation, usage, water temperature, and local electricity rates.
Can I finance a swim spa?
Yes. We offer financing through Wells Fargo, subject to credit approval.
You can apply online or talk with us in the showroom about the financing options currently available.
Get a Swim Spa Price That Makes Sense for Your Backyard
You can find plenty of swim spa prices online.
What you can’t get from a price tag alone is a good sense of which model makes sense for your space, how much you’ll actually spend to install it, and whether you’re paying for features you’ll use.
That’s where we can help.
Tell us what you’re hoping to get out of your swim spa, show us where you’re planning to put it, and we’ll help you narrow down the options that make sense for you.
We’ll walk through the model, swimming performance, features, delivery, foundation, electrical requirements, installation, and ongoing costs so you know what you’re getting into before you make a decision.
Then we’ll give you an itemized quote based on your project, not a generic online estimate.
Visit us at 1241 N Lakeview Ave #A, Anaheim, CA 92807 or call (714) 750-9103. You can also request current pricing online, and we’ll help you find a swim spa that fits the way you want to use it and what you want to spend.
