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How much does catalytic converter replacement cost?

Catalytic converter replacement costs $800 to $2,500 in 2026. What changes your price is below.

Most cars land between $800 and $2,500 installed, with luxury and hybrid models above $3,000. The part is most of the bill: an EPA compliant converter runs $400 to $1,500, a CARB compliant one for California rules $1,200 to $3,000, and an OEM part $800 to $2,500. Labor is usually 1 to 3 hours.

Catalytic converter replacement costs $800 to $2,500 in 2026

Estimate your catalytic converter replacement cost

Pick what you need and add your ZIP. The price updates as you go. Got a price already? Check it in the last step.

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A fair price is $800 to $2,500.

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Low$1,650High
Your estimateUS average
$800to$2,500

Middle of the range: $1,650

$0$1,690$3,380
Normal range Middle

What you are paying for

Most carsUS range for this job.$800 to $2,500
EPA state (most of the US)Your state.Base price
US averageLocal prices not added yet.US price
Middle of rangeHalfway between low and high.$1,650
How we calculate this

    Prices are for the United States in 2026 from published cost guides, checked September 2026. This is an estimate, not a quote.

    Middle $1,650$800 to $2,500

    Cost by part and car

    Typical total, most cars$800 to $2,500 or more (Hott Exhaust, 2026).
    Wider range$1,000 to $3,500, and $5,000 to $10,000 or more on some luxury cars (CoverageX, April 2026).
    Aftermarket, installedAbout $300 to $800 (ThePricer).
    OEM, installedAbout $600 to $3,000 (ThePricer).
    EPA compliant part$400 to $1,500. Legal in 49 states.
    CARB compliant part$1,200 to $3,000. Required in California and states that follow its rules.
    LaborAbout 1 to 3 hours at $100 to $200 an hour.

    Is your quote fair?

    Type the price you were quoted. We compare it to the usual 2026 range of $800 to $2,500.

    What pushes a quote up

    Your state's rulesCARB states need a pricier converter with more precious metal.
    OEM or aftermarketOEM parts cost far more but are required on some newer cars.
    VehicleV6 and V8 engines may have two or more converters.
    Precious metalsPlatinum, palladium and rhodium prices move the part price.
    Other damageOxygen sensors and pipes damaged by a failing converter add cost.

    Catalytic converter replacement cost by region

    Lower cost states$650 to $2,000. Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia and most rural areas.
    Average cost states$800 to $2,500. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and most mid size cities.
    Higher cost states$1,050 to $3,200. California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington, plus big metros such as Chicago, Denver and Washington DC.

    These rows are our estimate. We took the typical national range and adjusted it for local labor costs, which run about 20 percent lower in the cheapest states and about 30 percent higher in the dearest ones. The state also changes the part itself here, not just the labor. CARB states pay far more for the converter.

    Why California pays more, and what to do after a theft

    A catalytic converter must meet the emissions rules where the car is registered. In most of the country an EPA compliant converter is legal, at about $400 to $1,500 for the part. California and the states that follow its rules require a CARB compliant converter, which carries more precious metal and costs about $1,200 to $3,000. A shop in a CARB state that fits a cheaper federal converter can leave you with a car that fails inspection.

    If the converter was stolen

    Converter theft is common because of the metals inside. File a police report, then call your insurer. Ask whether your comprehensive coverage pays for theft and what your deductible is. After the repair, ask the shop about a shield or cage, and park in a garage or a lit area if you can.

    Check the cause first

    A converter usually fails because something upstream failed: a misfire, an oil burning engine or a bad oxygen sensor. If that is not fixed, the new converter can fail too.

    Why this costs more in 2026

    Converters are made of precious metals and ship long distances, and exhaust work adds labor at this year's rates.

    Two costs moved in 2026. Diesel passed $6 a gallon on September 11 (CBS 8 reporting AAA), and building inputs rose 4.8 percent in a year (Roofing Contractor). Ask if your price can change before work starts.

    How to judge the quote in your hand

    Ways to pay less