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Cost to drill a well in Michigan: $5,200–$27,000 by county

A drilled, finished water well in Michigan typically costs $5,200–$27,000, with a midpoint of $14,800. Depth sets most of that price. Domestic wells here have a median depth of 100 ft across 134,590 completion reports filed 2016–2025, priced at Michigan driller rates.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Key figures for Michigan

ItemFigure
Finished well, typical range (midpoint $14,800) $5,200–$27,0001,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Drilling and casing only (no pump, tank, or hookup) $2,600–$16,0001,2,3,4,5
Median well depth (134,590 reports) 100 ft1
Middle half of wells 70 ft to 140 ft1
Drilling rate (Michigan rates) $15–$65/ft2
Median casing depth 80 ft1
Median reported yield 30 gpm1

Estimate a well in Michigan

Typical total: $5,200–$27,000, midpoint $14,800.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Depths from 134,590 domestic well reports in Michigan, 2016–2025: 65 ft (25th percentile), 97 ft (median), 144 ft (75th percentile).

Low uses the 25th percentile depth at low rates; high uses the 75th percentile at high rates.
Line itemLowMidHigh
Drilling (per foot of depth) (97 ft × $40/ft)$1,000$3,900$9,4002
Casing, installed (82 ft × $28/ft)$700$2,300$3,7003
Rig mobilization and setup ($550–$2,500)$600$1,500$2,5004
Well permit ($250–$350)$300$300$4005
Pump, wire, and drop pipe, installed ($1,000–$4,000)$1,000$2,500$4,0006
Pressure tank and switch, installed ($500–$1,800)$500$1,200$1,8006
Trench, water line, and electrical to the house ($1,000–$5,000)$1,000$3,000$5,0007
Water quality test ($50–$150)$100$100$2008
Total$5,200$14,800$27,000

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Well depth by county in Michigan

Total depth of domestic wells by county, Michigan. Bar shows the middle half of wells; tick marks the median.
County Reports Median depth (ft) Middle half (ft) 0 to 300 ft
Oakland 6,764 90 70–130
Kent 6,215 100 70–150
Allegan 5,194 90 60–120
Genesee 4,842 170 100–200
Livingston 4,574 90 60–120
Ottawa 3,523 100 50–180
Washtenaw 3,232 100 70–140
Berrien 3,190 100 80–140
Van Buren 3,126 80 70–110
Montcalm 3,077 80 60–110
Grand Traverse 2,908 120 80–190
Newaygo 2,901 80 60–130
Barry 2,879 80 60–130
Muskegon 2,780 50 40–80
Kalamazoo 2,692 90 60–120
Lapeer 2,664 180 120–230
Clare 2,638 90 60–120
Cass 2,599 90 60–120
Jackson 2,495 110 80–140
Gladwin 2,470 100 60–150
Roscommon 2,267 90 70–130
Mecosta 2,135 90 60–120
Isabella 2,104 100 70–130
St. Joseph 2,047 70 50–90
Lenawee 1,900 100 70–130
Leelanau 1,895 130 60–210
Oceana 1,658 80 50–120
Ogemaw 1,631 80 60–110
Calhoun 1,614 100 80–120
Antrim 1,533 110 70–160
St. Clair 1,522 100 70–140
Mason 1,470 80 60–100
Ionia 1,428 110 80–160
Branch 1,420 60 50–80
Macomb 1,391 80 50–110
Kalkaska 1,338 90 60–120
Otsego 1,329 100 70–140
Osceola 1,326 110 70–150
Lake 1,313 80 60–110
Manistee 1,286 100 60–140
Wexford 1,253 120 80–160
Hillsdale 1,251 90 60–110
Benzie 1,213 90 60–140
Emmet 1,187 150 90–240
Cheboygan 1,140 120 80–170
Missaukee 1,127 90 60–150
Iosco 1,107 80 50–110
Shiawassee 1,089 130 70–180
Tuscola 1,084 160 110–200
Ingham 1,076 160 120–230
Clinton 1,063 220 180–250
Charlevoix 1,047 110 70–170
Monroe 1,016 100 80–120
Midland 1,012 100 60–160
Saginaw 972 130 90–180
Chippewa 965 120 80–170
Crawford 942 100 60–150
Eaton 932 120 90–160
Alcona 928 80 50–110
Marquette 820 80 50–140
Gratiot 814 110 80–170
Oscoda 772 100 70–150
Montmorency 732 70 50–110
Sanilac 652 110 70–160
Houghton 642 140 80–200
Arenac 563 80 60–110
Delta 560 180 90–300
Presque Isle 527 160 120–210
Mackinac 512 120 70–180
Alpena 492 100 60–160
Huron 481 120 100–190
Bay 456 180 120–240
Menominee 447 110 70–160
Alger 334 80 60–120
Schoolcraft 334 90 60–140
Dickinson 324 120 70–250
Gogebic 294 100 60–200
Iron 229 80 60–160
Luce 224 80 60–110
Ontonagon 182 100 70–170
Baraga 155 160 100–200
Keweenaw 149 180 120–240
Wayne 121 100 80–120

Median depth runs from 50 ft in Muskegon County to 220 ft in Clinton County. At Michigan rates that difference is worth about $9,200 at the midpoint estimate.

Sources1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Where the money goes on a Michigan well

Drilling is billed by the foot at $15–$65/ft, so the hole alone runs $1,000–$9,400 at the depths above. Casing, the steel or PVC pipe that lines the upper borehole, adds $700–$3,700 at $10–$45/ft. Rig setup is a flat $600–$2,500.

The pump, pressure tank, and trench to the house add $2,500–$10,800 on top of the hole. A quote that looks low next to the range above often leaves those three out, so ask for it itemized.

Sources2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Permits and driller licensing in Michigan

Water wells in Michigan fall under Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), with local health departments. Local health departments handle private well permits under Part 127 of the Public Health Code, and a well permit application is filed with the local department before drilling. EGLE registers water well drilling contractors, and a certificate of registration is required before drilling or servicing wells. The permit or filing fee runs $300–$400.

Sources9,10,5

Groundwater and well construction in Michigan

Well cap Submersible pump Casing to about 80 ft Total depth about 100 ft Soil and loose rock Open hole in rock
Cross-section of a 100 ft well with casing to 80 ft, the Michigan median

Michigan sits over the Michigan Basin, where USGS maps the Silurian-Devonian aquifer, the Mississippian aquifer and the Cretaceous and Pennsylvanian aquifers, with glacial deposits at the surface.

A well at the Michigan median reaches 100 ft with casing to about 80 ft. EGLE's isolation table lists 50 feet as the minimum between a private well and a septic tank, and some local codes require more.

Sources11,1,9

Michigan compared with neighboring states

StateMedian depthTypical finished well
Michigan100 ft$5,200–$27,000
Illinois170 ft$6,400–$38,000
Indiana90 ft$5,400–$27,400
Minnesota100 ft$8,600–$28,500
Ohio120 ft$6,800–$31,900
Wisconsin130 ft$6,100–$32,100

Sources12,13,14,3,4,15,6,7,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27

Common questions

How deep is a typical well in Michigan?

Half of the 134,590 domestic wells reported in Michigan from 2016–2025 are between 70 ft and 140 ft deep, and the median is 100 ft. Your county can sit well above or below that, so check the county table on this page before you compare quotes.

How much does it cost per foot to drill a well in Michigan?

Drilling alone runs $15–$65/ft on the rates we compiled. Spread across a whole finished well, including casing, pump, tank, and hookup, the midpoint estimate works out to about $153/ft at a depth of 100 ft. Per-foot quotes rarely include the pump.

Do you need a permit to drill a well in Michigan?

Local health departments handle private well permits under Part 127 of the Public Health Code, and a well permit application is filed with the local department before drilling. Expect a fee of $300–$400. The driller usually files the paperwork, but the permit is tied to your property, so ask for a copy.

How much do a well pump and pressure tank add in Michigan?

An installed submersible pump with wire and drop pipe runs $1,000–$4,000, and a pressure tank with its switch runs $500–$1,800. Together they are often the line items missing from a drilling quote, so a quote for the hole alone will look $3,700 cheaper than a finished well.

Related pages

For every state side by side and the national range, see how much a well costs.

Sources

  1. Wellogic water well records , Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  2. The Real Cost of Installing a Septic System and Well in Michigan (2026 Edition) , K2 Excavating (Michigan excavating and septic contractor; not a licensed well driller). Accessed November 8, 2026. Published 2026-02-20. Drilling $15-$65/ft; pump, pressure tank and controls installed $1,500-$3,000; permits $300-$600; initial water testing $150-$300; total $5,000-$15,000 (average about $9,000). Adjacent trade; weaker evidence.
  3. Cost to Drill a Water Well in Northern California , Weeks Drilling & Pump Co. (Sebastopol, CA). Accessed November 8, 2026. Published 2026-04-30. Drilling $35-$130/ft; steel casing $20-$45/ft; pump and pressure tank $3,500-$9,000; permitting $500-$2,500.
  4. D-203(5) Statewide Drilling Services, Exhibit D Price Schedule (Thein Well Co., contract 226711) , Minnesota Office of State Procurement. Accessed November 8, 2026. 2023 state-contract unit rates from a licensed MN driller: 6-in borehole $30-$31/ft (mud rotary/auger), $75/ft air rotary in rock; 6-in casing $28/ft (code) to $48/ft (black steel); mobilization $1,000/project; 34-gal pressure tank installed $1,000, 62-gal $1,450; submersible pump 3/4-1 hp $1,250-$1,350 each; drop pipe $7/ft; pitless and lateral $2,000; trench $20/LF. Agency-buyer rates, not retail quotes.
  5. 2025 Environmental Health Fee Schedule (OSTDS & Wells), effective 2025-03-01 , Public Health, Delta & Menominee Counties (MI). Accessed November 8, 2026. Well construction permit, residential/irrigation $334; sand point well $100; double fee if work starts before permit.
  6. How Much Does a Well Pressure Tank Cost? , Mid Atlantic Water LLC (water-system supplier, nationwide). Accessed November 8, 2026. Updated 2026-10-14; prices live as of 2026-09. Tank replaced by plumber $800-$1,800 all-in (20-44 gal); labor $200-$500; submersible pump job $1,000-$2,500; tank plus pump $2,500-$5,000+. Supplier, not an installer.
  7. What Are the Cost Factors of Drilling a Santa Fe Water Well? , Boylan Water Well Service (Santa Fe, NM). Accessed November 8, 2026. Published 2026-06-25. Drilling incl. PVC casing $28-$65/ft; submersible pump $850-$2,500; casing and grouting $1,500-$4,000; pressure tank and controls $500-$1,800; electrical hookup and trenching $1,000-$3,500; permits and lab testing $300-$1,000; turn-key $12,000-$30,000+.
  8. Laboratory fee list (EGLE-certified drinking water lab), effective 2026-07-06 , City of Cadillac Laboratory (MI). Accessed November 8, 2026. Drinking water coliforms, total and E. coli P/A $35; nitrate $35.
  9. Minimum well isolation distances , Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Accessed November 9, 2026. 50 ft well-to-septic-tank minimum under Part 127 corroborated 2026-11-09 by EGLE septic FAQ and the state Water Well Manual; pages return 403 to automated fetch.
  10. Water well contractor registration , Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Accessed November 9, 2026. Page returned 403 to direct fetch; statement from search result text.
  11. Ground Water Atlas of the United States, Segment 9 (HA 730-J): Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin , USGS. Accessed November 9, 2026.
  12. ILWATER, Water and Related Wells , Illinois State Geological Survey. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  13. Default casing share of well depth , Cost to Drill a Well. Accessed November 9, 2026. Median of state casing_p50 / depth_p50 across states that report casing. Used only where no local casing median exists.
  14. Water Well Installation: Complete Guide, Cost and Tips for Success , Stevens Drilling (La Vernia, TX). Accessed November 8, 2026. Published 2025-10-27. Drilling $25-$65/ft; pumps $500-$2,000; pressure tank $300-$1,500; permit/licensing $100-$750; total $7,500-$17,000+.
  15. Compilation of fetched state and county well permit fees (research/rates/NOTES.md, section permit) , costtodrillawell.com research. Accessed November 8, 2026. Internal compilation used only for the national permit fallback. Component sources: ok-owrb-well-driller-fact-sheet ($0), fl-nwfwmd-well-fees through fl-manatee-water-wells-2026 ($35-$265), ny-dutchess-dbch-fees ($45), wi-dnr-well-notification ($50.50), ga-pierce-well-permit-2024 ($70), idaho-code-42-235 ($75), crs-37-92-602 ($100), az-ars-45-596 ($100-$150), nmac-19-27-5 ($125), wa-rcw-18-104-055 ($200), nc-wayne-private-wells through nc-gaston-eh-fees ($225-$450), mi-grand-traverse-fees-2026 and mi-delta-menominee-fees-2025 ($240-$334), mt-dnrc-form-613-2025 ($250-$400), pa-chester-county-health-fees ($300), mn-stat-103i-208 ($325), oh-logan-fees-2024 through oh-summit-fees-2025 ($350-$594), or-hb2808-2025 ($490), blanco-pedernales-gcd-fees-2025 ($500), ca-calaveras-fees-2026 ($693), ny-nyc-well-water-permit ($1,090 outlier).
  16. DSHS Austin Laboratory Fee Schedule, effective 2026-09-01 , Texas Department of State Health Services. Accessed November 8, 2026. Potable Water (coliform) MZZ0441A $18.39; Nitrate-N EZZ0048A $30.00; Routine Water Mineral Group $155; All Metals $165; VOCs $150.
  17. Water Well Record Database , Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  18. Minnesota Well Index , Minnesota Department of Health. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  19. Minn. Stat. 103I.208 Well Notification and Permit Fees , Minnesota Revisor of Statutes. Accessed November 8, 2026. Water supply well construction notification $325 (includes $40 state core function fee); sealing $125. Effective 2025-07-01 per MDH fee schedule (https://www.health.mn.gov/communities/environment/water/wells/feesched.html). Delegated county/city programs set their own fees.
  20. Water Testing , Washington County, Minnesota, Public Health & Environment. Accessed November 8, 2026. Undated. Standard drinking water test (coliform and nitrate) $50; coliform $25; nitrate $25.
  21. Water well log database , Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  22. Complete Water Well System Cost: Full Transparency from an Experienced Driller , K & B Water Well Drilling & Excavation (Mount Gilead, OH). Accessed November 8, 2026. Undated (2026 site). Drilling alone $30-$80+/ft; steel casing sometimes over $100/ft; pump unit $900-$2,500 plus installation; tank and switch $500-$2,000; full installed system $6,000-$16,000.
  23. 2026 Approved Fee Schedule, Private Water System Fees effective 2026-01-01 , Butler County General Health District (OH). Accessed November 8, 2026. New private water system (well), single family dwelling $534 ($440 local + $74 state + $20 ODNR), includes one site visit, one water sample and one inspection; water samples $90 base plus lab costs.
  24. Private Water Systems , Ashland County Health Department (OH). Accessed November 8, 2026. Undated (2026 site). New single family application/permit $309 plus $75 water sample fee = $384.
  25. Well Construction Reports , Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Well completion records used for depth, casing, and yield distributions.
  26. Well Construction Notification , Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Accessed November 8, 2026. Undated. The Well Construction Notification fee is $50.50. Some counties add a sanitary permit.
  27. Public Environmental and Water Testing Prices, effective 2026-07-01 , Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene. Accessed November 8, 2026. Bacteria (total coliform/E. coli) P/A $35.00; Nitrate $35.00; Nitrite $38; HUD/FHA-VA loan package $146.00; Homeowner package (5 bottle) $450.00.

How these figures are built: methodology. Updated November 2026.