A new washer and dryer set costs $800 to $3,500 in 2026. The average cost of a washer and dryer set is about $1,600 for the pair. The exact price depends on the brand, features, and where you buy. Most people spend $1,200 to $2,000 for a solid set that will last 10 years.
That is the sticker price. The true cost is higher. Delivery, installation, haul-away, sales tax, and eventual repairs add $300 to $1,500 over the life of the machines. Here is a breakdown by price tier so you know exactly what to expect.
| Tier | 2026 Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $800 – $1,200 | Basic laundry, lowest upfront cost |
| Mid-range | $1,200 – $2,000 | Most households, better durability |
| High-end | $2,500 – $3,500+ | Premium features, 10+ year lifespan |
| Monthly rental | $60/month | No upfront cost, maintenance included |
Average Cost of a Washer and Dryer Set in 2026
The average cost of a new washer and dryer set in 2026 is about $1,600. The average washer costs $850 to $900. The average dryer costs $700 to $750. Matched pairs from Whirlpool, Maytag, GE, LG, and Samsung make up most of that middle ground.
The average price for a washer and dryer drops 20 to 30% during holiday sales. Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Black Friday are the four best times to buy. A $1,600 set sells for $1,100 to $1,300 during those weeks.
The average buyer pays more than the sticker price. Delivery, installation, tax, and a warranty add 15 to 25%. A set with a $1,600 price tag costs $1,850 to $2,000 by the time it is running in your laundry room.
What You Get at Each Budget
| Your Budget | What It Buys |
|---|---|
| $600 – $800 | Used or scratch-and-dent set, or one new budget machine |
| $800 – $1,000 | New Amana or basic Hotpoint top-load set |
| $1,000 – $1,200 | Basic Whirlpool or GE top-load set |
| $1,200 – $1,500 | High-efficiency top-load set, or a front-load set on sale |
| $1,500 – $2,000 | Front-load set from LG, Samsung, GE, or Maytag with steam |
| $2,000 – $3,000 | Large-capacity smart front-load set or LG WashTower |
| $3,000+ | Speed Queen, Samsung Bespoke, or Miele |
Budget Washer and Dryer Sets: $800 to $1,200
Budget sets get the job done. They wash clothes. They dry clothes. They do not have smart features or steam cycles. They are basic machines built to a price point.
Amana is the go-to budget brand. A top-load Amana washer and electric dryer set runs $800 to $900. Basic Whirlpool sets start around $1,000 to $1,200. These are no-frills machines with mechanical controls and standard cycle options.
The trade-off is durability. Budget machines use cheaper components. Bearings, pumps, and control boards tend to fail sooner. Expect the first repair around year 4 or 5 instead of year 6 or 7. Each repair runs $200 to $400 for parts and labor.
A budget set works well if you need laundry machines now and want to spend as little as possible upfront. Just know the total cost of ownership climbs faster because of earlier and more frequent repairs.
Mid-Range Washer and Dryer Sets: $1,200 to $2,000
This is where most buyers land. Mid-range sets from Maytag, GE, and mid-tier Samsung and LG models offer better build quality, more wash cycles, and quieter operation.
High-efficiency top-load sets from Whirlpool and GE start around $1,200 to $1,400. A Maytag top-load set runs about $1,500 to $1,700. A GE front-load set with steam runs $1,700 to $2,000. Samsung and LG offer comparable models in the same range. These machines handle larger loads and have better spin speeds, which means shorter dryer times and lower energy bills.
Mid-range machines typically last 10 to 13 years. Repairs still happen, but usually not until year 6 or 7. The components are better, so the machines hold up longer under regular use.
For a household of 2 to 4 people doing 5 to 8 loads per week, a mid-range set is the sweet spot between price and performance.
High-End Washer and Dryer Sets: $2,500 to $3,500+
High-end sets come from Samsung Bespoke, LG WashTower, and Speed Queen. These machines have the best motors, the quietest operation, and features like AI-powered cycle detection, built-in Wi-Fi, and allergen-removal steam settings.
The Samsung Bespoke front-load set runs $2,800 to $3,200. The LG WashTower stacked unit runs $2,500 to $3,000. Speed Queen commercial-grade sets start at $2,800 and go past $3,500. Speed Queen is built like a laundromat machine. It is designed to last 25 years.
High-end machines make sense if you own your home, plan to stay for 10+ years, and want the best performance. They do not make sense if you are renting your home or plan to move within 5 years. You will never recoup the extra cost.
Front-Load vs. Top-Load Washer and Dryer Prices
A front-load washer and dryer set costs $1,400 to $2,600 in 2026. A top-load set costs $800 to $1,800. Front-load washers run $200 to $500 more than a comparable top-load model.
| Type | Set Price | Washer Alone |
|---|---|---|
| Top-load with agitator | $800 – $1,300 | $450 – $700 |
| High-efficiency top-load | $1,200 – $1,800 | $700 – $950 |
| Front-load | $1,400 – $2,600 | $700 – $1,400 |
| Stacked laundry center | $1,300 – $2,000 | Sold as one unit |
| LG WashTower or Samsung stacked | $2,000 – $3,000 | Sold as one unit |
Front-loaders use less water and spin clothes drier, which shortens dryer time. Those savings add up to $200 to $400 over 10 years. That rarely covers the higher price. Buy a front-loader because you need to stack it or want gentler washing, not to save money.
Pedestals are the add-on nobody budgets for. They raise a front-loader 12 to 15 inches and cost $250 to $350 each.
How Much Should You Spend on a Washer and Dryer?
Spend $1,200 to $1,600 if you own your home and plan to stay. That buys a reliable mid-range set that lasts 10 to 13 years. Going cheaper costs more in repairs. Going higher buys features, not cleaner clothes.
Spend $800 to $1,000 if you need machines now and money is tight. Spend $2,500 or more only if you want Speed Queen durability or a specific stacked design.
Spend nothing upfront if you rent your home or plan to move within 2 to 3 years. Renting beats buying over that window, and you never move or sell the machines.
How Much Does Just a Washing Machine Cost in 2026?
Not everyone needs to replace both machines. If your dryer still works, you can buy just a washing machine and skip the rest of the set.
A budget washing machine alone costs $450 to $650. Basic top-load models from Amana and GE fall in this range. A mid-range washing machine costs $800 to $1,100, covering front-load and high-efficiency top-load models from Whirlpool, Maytag, and LG. A high-end washing machine costs $1,400 to $1,900, including smart front-load models from Samsung Bespoke and LG with AI-powered cycle detection.
The washer is always the pricier half of a set. It has more moving parts than a dryer: a motor, a drum suspension system, water valves, and a pump. That is why a washer typically runs 55 to 60% of a set's total price, with the dryer making up the rest.
How Much Does Just a Clothes Dryer Cost in 2026?
If your washing machine still works, you may only need to replace the dryer.
A budget clothes dryer costs $350 to $550. A mid-range dryer costs $700 to $900, including steam and sensor-dry models from GE and Maytag. A high-end dryer costs $1,100 to $1,600, including matching units from Samsung Bespoke, LG WashTower, and Speed Queen.
Gas dryers cost $50 to $100 more than electric models with the same features, and installation runs higher too. A gas line hookup adds $150 to $300 if one is not already in place. Check which hookups your home has before you buy. Electric dryers only need a 240-volt outlet, which most St. George homes already have.
Hidden Costs Beyond the Sticker Price
The price tag on the machine is not the total cost. Several fees add up before and after you bring the machines home.
Delivery costs $50 to $150 from most big-box stores. Some retailers offer free delivery on orders over a certain amount, but many charge separately. Installation costs $100 to $200 if your hookups need adjusting or if you are switching from a top-load to a front-load setup. Haul-away of your old machines costs $25 to $50 per unit.
Sales tax in St. George is 6.75%. On a $1,500 set, that adds $101. On a $2,500 set, that adds $169.
Extended warranties run $100 to $300 depending on the coverage length and retailer. The manufacturer warranty covers 1 year on most brands. After that, you pay for every repair out of pocket unless you bought the extended plan.
Add it all up. A $1,500 washer and dryer set actually costs $1,815 to $2,100 when you include delivery, installation, haul-away, tax, and a basic extended warranty. Here is the full list of hidden costs of owning a washer and dryer.
The True Cost of Ownership Over 10 Years
Sticker price plus fees is only the beginning. Machines break down, even with regular maintenance. The average washer or dryer needs 2 to 3 repairs over a 10-year span. Each repair costs $200 to $400.
A mid-range set that costs $1,800 all-in on day one will cost an additional $400 to $1,200 in repairs over its lifetime. That brings the 10-year cost to $2,200 to $3,000.
A budget set that costs $1,100 all-in will need repairs sooner and more often. The 10-year cost lands around $1,900 to $2,700. The savings on the purchase price get eaten by higher repair costs.
A high-end set that costs $3,200 all-in may need fewer repairs, but the upfront cost is so high that the 10-year total runs $3,400 to $3,800. Speed Queen is the exception. Their machines rarely need service, but you pay $2,800+ for that reliability.
The Rental Alternative: $60 per Month
Not everyone has $1,000 to $3,500 sitting in a bank account for laundry machines. Not everyone wants to deal with repairs, warranty claims, and resale headaches when they move.
DryAndWashRent offers washer and dryer rentals in St. George for $60 per month. That covers both machines. Installation is a one-time $39.99 fee. Maintenance and repairs are included at no extra charge.
Over 12 months, the total cost is $759.99. Over 24 months, it is $1,479.99. There is no long-term contract. You can cancel anytime. See how much it costs to rent a washer and dryer from other types of providers.
Renting makes sense for renters, new residents, students at DSU, and anyone who does not want a large upfront expense. It also makes sense for anyone who values predictable monthly costs over ownership.
The break-even point between renting and buying a mid-range set is around 25 to 30 months. If you plan to stay in St. George for less than 2.5 years, renting costs less. If you stay longer, buying a mid-range set becomes cheaper over time.
But buying carries risk. One $350 repair at year 3 pushes the break-even point out further. Selling used machines at a loss when you move pushes it further still. Renting has zero risk. The cost is $60 a month, every month, with no surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of a washer and dryer in 2026?
The average cost of a new washer and dryer set in 2026 is about $1,600, with most mid-range sets priced from $1,200 to $2,000. Budget sets start at $800. High-end sets run $2,500 to $3,500+. After delivery, installation, tax, and warranty, expect to pay 15 to 25% more than the sticker price.
How much should I spend on a washer and dryer?
Spend $1,200 to $1,600 on a washer and dryer set if you own your home. That buys a mid-range pair that lasts 10 to 13 years. Spend $800 to $1,000 if money is tight. Sets over $2,500 add features and durability, not cleaner clothes.
How much does a front-load washer and dryer set cost?
A front-load washer and dryer set costs $1,400 to $2,600 in 2026. Front-load washers cost $200 to $500 more than comparable top-load models. Pedestals add $250 to $350 each. A top-load set costs $800 to $1,800.
Is it worth buying a cheap washer and dryer?
A budget washer and dryer set in the $800 to $1,200 range works for basic laundry needs. The downside is shorter lifespan and earlier repairs. Budget machines often need their first service call by year 4. Over 10 years, repair costs can erase much of the upfront savings compared to a mid-range set.
Can you rent a washer and dryer instead of buying?
Yes. DryAndWashRent offers washer and dryer rentals in St. George, Utah for $60 per month for both machines. Installation is $39.99 one time. Maintenance is included. There is no long-term contract. Call (435) 767-7225 or visit dryandwashrent.com to get started.
Can I buy just a washer or just a dryer?
Yes. If one machine still works, you do not need to replace the pair. A washing machine alone costs $450 to $1,900 depending on the tier. A clothes dryer alone costs $350 to $1,600. Buying only the machine you need costs less than a full set, as long as your existing machine matches the new one's fit and hookups.
Ready to rent a washer and dryer in St. George? Fill out our quick form or call (435) 767-7225.