Does a Pool Increase Home Value? 2026 Data by State and Region

The relationship between pools and home value is highly regional. According to SEC filings from the industry's largest manufacturers, pools are increasingly viewed as a "strategic home investment" rather than a luxury—especially in the Sun Belt states where housing inventory remains tight.

The "Build-in-Place" Trend

High mortgage rates and housing shortages have fundamentally changed how homeowners think about pools. According to Pool Corporation's SEC filings, consumers are increasingly choosing to renovate their existing homes rather than move, with the pool serving as the "centerpiece" of the outdoor living space.[2]Pool Corporation 10-KFiscal year ended December 31, 2024SEC Filing

Source: PHTA Industry Surveys, 2024-2025

This divergence tells an important story: while new pool construction fell 15% in 2024, 42% of pool builders reported increases in remodel and renovation revenue.[3]PHTA Industry SurveysQ3-Q4 2024 Pulse Reports via AQUA MagazineArticle Homeowners are investing in their existing properties because the math favors renovation over relocation.

Regional Value Differences

Pool value is not uniform across the country. According to Pool Corporation's SEC filings, the value added by a pool is most recognized in the "southern half of the U.S."[2]Pool Corporation 10-KFiscal year ended December 31, 2024SEC Filing

Source: Industry analysis based on Pool Corp 10-K regional sales data

The four major Sun Belt states—Florida, California, Texas, and Arizona—represent 54% of all industry net sales, reflecting where pools provide the most value to homeowners.[2]Pool Corporation 10-KFiscal year ended December 31, 2024SEC Filing

Why Consumers Invest in Pools

According to industry SEC filings, homeowners cite three primary reasons for pool investment:

Demand Driver	Description	Impact on Value
Enhanced Property Value	Pools as a "natural addition" for building home equity	High
Relaxation & Lifestyle	Outdoor living and entertainment space	Medium
Health & Exercise	Low-impact fitness and family activity	Medium

Source: Latham Group 10-K and Pool Corp 10-K

Latham Group's SEC filings specifically note that pool ownership is viewed as a "natural addition for consumers wanting to build the value of their homes."[1]Latham Group, Inc. 10-KFiscal year ended December 31, 2024SEC Filing

The Housing Shortage Factor

The current housing market has created unique conditions favoring pool investment:

Pool Corporation explicitly cites the "persistent housing shortage and high mortgage rates" as factors encouraging consumers to renovate rather than move.[2]Pool Corporation 10-KFiscal year ended December 31, 2024SEC Filing For many homeowners locked into sub-4% mortgage rates, adding a pool makes more financial sense than buying a new home at 7%+ rates.

Regional Value Breakdown

While exact ROI percentages are not disclosed in SEC filings, the regional concentration of industry activity provides insight into where pools add the most value:

Region	Share of Industry Sales	Pool Value Recognition
Florida	~15%	Highest — Year-round use, expected feature
California	~15%	High — Outdoor lifestyle culture
Texas	~14%	High — Hot climate, growing population
Arizona	~10%	High — Desert climate necessity
Other 46 States	~46%	Variable — Seasonal use impacts value

Source: Pool Corp 10-K, 2024 (regional sales distribution)

When a Pool Adds the Most Value

Based on industry data, pools add the most home value when:

1. Located in Sun Belt states — Year-round use maximizes the lifestyle benefit
2. Part of a complete outdoor living space — Pools as "centerpiece" of the outdoor room[2]Pool Corporation 10-KFiscal year ended December 31, 2024SEC Filing
3. Fiberglass construction — 35-40% lower total cost of ownership[1]Latham Group, Inc. 10-KFiscal year ended December 31, 2024SEC Filing
4. Well-maintained with updated equipment — Modern variable speed pumps and automation add appeal

The Bottom Line on Pool ROI

While industry SEC filings don't provide exact ROI percentages, they make clear that pool value is highly dependent on location. In Sun Belt markets where pools are expected features, they function as home improvements that preserve and enhance property value. In seasonal markets, the value proposition is more about lifestyle than pure financial return.

The 42% of builders reporting increased renovation revenue suggests that homeowners—especially those locked into low mortgage rates—are treating pools as strategic investments in their existing properties.

For more industry data, see our pool ownership rate by state or total cost of pool ownership over 10 years.