How much does a water well cost in the Rio Grande Valley?
Well cost is mostly about depth, casing, the pump and water quality. Here is what real Texas driller records and a public cost index say for the Valley.
Independent referral service. Border Quotes is not a contractor and does not own equipment or employ crews. We connect you with independent local companies, who quote and do the work directly.
These are not quotes. Figures come from the Texas Well Cost Index by Texas Water Well Reports (updated July 7, 2026; we checked it on October 22, 2026). Depths are medians of TDLR driller records; costs are modeled by the source from published per-foot rates. The source calls them planning estimates, not quotes.
Rio Grande Valley counties
| County | Driller records | Median depth (middle half) | Complete system | Drilling & casing only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hidalgo (McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, Mission, Weslaco) | 1,275 | 240 ft (100–380) | $18,300–$30,500 | $7,625–$19,825 |
| Cameron (Harlingen, Brownsville) | 1,125 | 90 ft (45–135) | $3,900–$6,500 | $1,625–$4,225 |
| Starr | 668 | 440 ft (360–520) | $26,400–$44,000 | $11,000–$28,600 |
| Willacy | 59 | 805 ft (540–909) | $50,580–$84,300 | $21,075–$54,795 |
| Texas statewide | — | 250 ft | $14,640–$24,400 | — |
Data: Texas Water Well Reports, Texas Well Cost Index. "Complete system" includes drilling, casing, pump, pressure tank and installation as modeled by the source.
How to read these numbers
- Hidalgo County (McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, Mission, Weslaco): typical recorded wells are around 240 ft, and the middle half ranges from 100 to 380 ft — so a quote can land well outside the range.
- Cameron County (Harlingen, Brownsville): recorded wells are much shallower (median 90 ft), which makes the modeled cost low. Shallow water near the coast is often brackish; the right well for drinking water may be deeper, need treatment or not be practical at all.
- West toward Starr County wells get deeper (median 440 ft), and Willacy County's few records are even deeper.
What changes the price
- Depth — the biggest factor; drilling and casing are priced per foot.
- Casing and diameter — irrigation wells need bigger casing and pumps.
- Pump, pressure tank and electrical — including the run to the house or field.
- Water quality — salty water may need a softener or reverse osmosis.
- Access and permits — city or groundwater-district rules, and getting the rig to the spot.
Before hiring, ask for the driller's TDLR license number, a written estimate that separates drilling, casing and pump, and what happens if they don't find usable water.