How Much Does Coaxial Cable Installation Cost in 2025?

Average Coaxial Cable Installation Cost

Coaxial Cable Installation Cost Factors

There are a few cost factors to consider when setting the budget for coaxial cable installation, such as the materials needed, the number of outlets you want, the accessibility of the area, and labor.

Materials

If you want to install a new cable outlet, you'll need a few materials, none of which are costly, but all of which are essential.

Number of Outlets

To install a new outlet, your local electrician will need to run cables through your walls, cut into the wall to make space for the outlet, and connect everything. This takes time and materials, meaning that the more outlets you want in the house, the more you’ll end up paying. While the materials will only cost a few dollars, the other costs to install an outlet, particularly labor, will add up when you need multiple.

Accessibility

To install a new cable outlet, you may need to run cables behind the walls to the access spot if they aren't already there. If the cables are located far away and generally difficult to access, this will increase the time it'll take for a professional to do the job—and the cost of the job.

Replacing Old Outlet vs. Installing New Outlet

If there's already an outlet and all you need to do is replace it, this will significantly reduce your price, costing only about $60 to replace an old outlet. Your electrician should be able to replace an old coaxial outlet in about 30 minutes.

Running Cables vs. Installing New Outlets

While cables can be unsightly, you can hire a professional to run cables from an existing outlet along the base of the wall or other hidden areas for $60 to $150. If you decide to run cables instead of installing a new outlet, this will save you money. The pro will keep them out of the way and out of sight, so you may not even notice them. If you plan to run cables for longer distances or want them to run through floors or exterior walls, your costs may increase.

Labor

The cost to hire an electrician is the main cost factor for installing a new coaxial cable outlet. It costs $50 to $100 per hour to hire an electrician to do general work, like installing a cable outlet, but most electricians charge a minimum call-out fee of an hour or two. The typical visit usually costs $160 to $500, which is the total cost of the job, including labor and parts. It may take two to four hours for an electrician to install a new cable outlet.

What Is a Coaxial Cable?

Coaxial cable was invented in the early 1900s and reliably transmits data. Common uses for coaxial cable include cable television, telephone lines, and internet connections. The distinct feature of coaxial cable is its special shielding, which prevents interference and environmental damage from reaching the copper core. With up to 10 layers of shielding, insulation, and protection, this design makes it much more reliable than standard cables, meaning it’s a good choice for anything that requires a consistent, accurate signal transition.

Coaxial cables come in a variety of sizes, with larger cables being used for longer distances to prevent transmission loss. The two most common coaxial cable sizes are RG-6 and RG-11. RG is short for ‘radio grade,’ though it’s sometimes referred to as ‘radio frequency’ (RF) instead. RG-6 is a smaller cable and is used for lengths of 150 feet or less. RG-11 is used for lengths above 150 feet, as it has increased performance and reduced data loss over longer distances.

Coaxial Cable vs. Fiber Optic Cable

Coaxial and fiber optic cables are both capable of transmitting video, audio, and other kinds of data, but they have unique pros and cons that you’ll need to consider when choosing between them.

Because coaxial cable is so durable and relatively inexpensive, it’s a common choice for any data transfer job that doesn’t require high-capacity transmission. Fiber optic and coaxial cables both eventually need a signal repeater to prevent data loss over long distances, with fiber optic cables needing far fewer repeaters than coaxial cables. 

For projects that require higher data capacities and faster transitions, fiber optic cables are the top choice. Fiber optic cables can transmit much more data over much longer distances with less data loss. For this reason, fiber optic is much more expensive and is usually reserved for professional data networks or to connect large units, such as apartment or office buildings. For a single home, a coaxial cable will probably be sufficient.

Although fiber optic has a higher up-front cost than coaxial cables, it tends to have a longer lifespan, meaning it can save you money in the long run while also providing higher transfer speeds. Coaxial cables tend to be less expensive to install than fiber optic cables, but they may need to be replaced sooner. Bear in mind that costs for fiber internet service also tend to be higher than coaxial connections (because of the higher data capacity and speed), so you’ll need to factor in those costs when choosing between these two connection types. 

Does Installing Coaxial Cable Outlets Increase Home Value?

Installing coaxial cable outlets can increase the value of your home somewhat, especially when you consider the low cost of this project. Most people don’t feel strongly about cable television or landline phones anymore, but coaxial cables can also be used to connect your router to wireless internet, making it a valuable addition for almost anyone. Coaxial cable outlets certainly can’t lower the value of your home, so there’s no real downside to taking on this quick, inexpensive project.

Budgeting for Installing Coaxial Cables

Installing coaxial cable outlets is quite a low-cost project, but there are a few ways you can make it even more affordable:

• Add other electrical jobs to your coaxial cable installation, such as installing new light switches or electrical outlets, to save money.

• If possible, replace your current coaxial cable in its current place or run cables instead of installing a new outlet—this tends to be less expensive than installing a new outlet.

• Place your new outlet somewhere it will continue to be useful, helping to avoid the need for another installation if you decide to move your TV or wi-fi router.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.