How Much Does PVC Pipe Cost?

Pipe Material: PVC vs. CPVC

The first major cost determinant is the material itself. Standard PVC is generally more affordable and serves a wide range of functions, particularly for cool and ambient temperature applications. CPVC undergoes an additional manufacturing process to increase its temperature resistance, and also makes it more expensive than its PVC counterpart. If your project involves hot water or other heated fluids (up to 200°F), the added cost of CPVC is a necessary investment for safety and service life.

Pipe Schedule: Schedule 40 vs. Schedule 80

The "schedule" of a pipe refers to its wall thickness. The two most common schedules are 40 and 80.

• Schedule 40 (Sch 40): This pipe has a thinner wall and is suitable for most residential and light commercial applications involving lower liquid pressures. It is the more common and less expensive option.
• Schedule 80 (Sch 80): With a thicker wall, this pipe can withstand higher pressures and is more robust. It is often used in industrial and heavy commercial applications where greater durability is required. The extra material makes Schedule 80 pipe more expensive than Schedule 40 of the same diameter.

Pipe Diameter and Length

As with most materials, the more you need, the more it costs. The price of PVC pipe increases with its diameter (size) and length. A 4-inch diameter pipe will naturally cost more than a ½-inch pipe due to the larger amount of material used. With this said, however, sometimes this isn’t the case as very small diameter piping is more difficult to manufacture–this can often be seen more clearly with pipe fittings. 

Pipes are typically sold in standard lengths, such as 5-foot, 10-foot, and 20-foot sections. Longer sections often provide a better per-foot value, but may incur higher shipping costs and require more effort to handle on-site. For this reason, 5-foot PVC pipe sections are preferred for smaller projects and online ordering, as their shorter length allows for more economical shipping options.

PVC & CPVC Pipe Price Ranges

Below are sample price ranges for common PVC and CPVC pipe sizes, lengths, and schedules. Prices are approximate and may vary based on current market conditions. For the best rates on large orders, please contact us for a custom quote.

*Various other sizes (large and intermediate) are also available; prices generally increase for thicker walls and larger diameters. For detailed, up-to-date pricing on your specific requirements—including Schedule 80 pipes or other lengths—please request a quote. Note: the prices listed above are current and correct at the time of writing; prices are subject to change based on market factors outside our control and should be used for reference and project estimation only.