Guide

How Much Does a Toilet Cost on Average?

Updated on · By the Rival Toilets team

A toilet usually costs in the budget to mid-range range, with the brand, bowl shape and flush system driving the spread. TOTO's entry two-piece and its Drake sit on opposite sides of that spread.

On this page (8 sections)
  1. What does the average toilet price actually cover?
  2. Why does toilet cost vary so much by brand?
  3. How much do two-piece and one-piece toilets cost?
  4. What do different toilet types cost?
  5. What does a toilet cost to install?
  6. Which toilets fit a mid-range budget?
  7. Is it worth paying more for a premium toilet?
  8. Which toilet should you buy at each budget?

A toilet usually costs in the budget to mid-range range, and the brand, bowl shape and flush system set the final figure. The bowl and tank set is only part of it, since the wax ring, bolts, supply line and seat are usually bought separately.

So when you ask how much does a toilet cost on average, the honest answer is a range, not a single number. A basic two-piece sits at the low end, while a branded model with an efficient flush and a smooth glaze moves toward the middle.

What does the average toilet price actually cover?

The average figure covers the bowl and tank only, not the parts that make it usable. A two-piece set arrives with the tank-to-bowl gasket and hardware, but the seat, wax ring, mounting bolts and water supply line come separately.

That gap matters when you compare a cheap unit with a branded one. The TOTO Drake ships as a bowl and tank with hardware and bolt caps, and TOTO lists the wax ring, bolts, supply lines and seat as items to buy separately.

Budget the extras as part of the job, not as an afterthought. A toilet that looks affordable on its own can land near a mid-range total once the missing pieces are in the cart.

What is in the box when the toilet arrives?

The Drake set includes the bowl and tank, plus the tank to bowl gasket, hardware and bolt caps. That covers the assembly work between tank and bowl.

What it does not include is the seat. The seat material listed for the Drake is plastic, which points to TOTO's SoftClose seat as the matching add-on rather than a part in the carton.

TOTO also sells a WASHLET bidet seat as the upgrade path.

The remaining gap is the connection to the floor and the water line. Wax ring, flange bolts and water supply lines are all separate purchases, and TOTO names each one in its instructions.

Read that list before you order, because the hardware in the box is not the hardware under it.

Why does toilet cost vary so much by brand?

Brand sets the biggest single gap, because a recognized name brings a proven flush system, a better glaze and more consistent china. Store brands keep costs down by simplifying those parts.

TOTO's own range shows the spread. The Entrada is a two-piece elongated model with the E-Max 1.28 GPF flush and Universal Height, and it's the cheaper way into the brand.

The Drake adds TORNADO FLUSH and the CEFIONTECT glaze, which moves it up the price ladder.

You're paying for the flush design and the surface, not just the badge. Our guide to the TOTO toilet lineup breaks down where the Drake, Entrada and others sit against each other.

The detail that separates the two models is how the water meets the bowl. The Drake's TORNADO FLUSH uses a rimless, hole-free design with dual nozzles that create a centrifugal washing action.

The Entrada relies on E-Max, a 3 inch flush valve with an extra-large siphon jet and a large trapway. The Drake's answer costs more to build, but TOTO still rates the simpler Entrada as a powerful flush.

How much do two-piece and one-piece toilets cost?

A two-piece toilet costs less than a one-piece from the same maker. The two-piece splits into a separate bowl and tank that are easier to cast, ship and install.

A one-piece molds them together, which raises the price but leaves fewer seams to clean.

Most budget and mid-range shopping happens in the two-piece tier. The TOTO Drake and TOTO Entrada are both two-piece elongated sets in Universal Height, so the split form doesn't cost you comfort or efficiency.

Pick a one-piece when the smooth look matters and your budget has room. Pick a two-piece when you want the same brand and flush for less, and put the saving toward the install kit and a seat.

The two-piece also keeps a repair cheaper. If a fill valve or flapper fails, you lift the tank lid and reach the parts.

A one-piece hides the same parts behind a more enclosed shell.

The Drake's build shows in its dimensions: 28.38 inches deep, 17.19 inches wide and 30.13 inches high, at 94 pounds. Check those against your floor space before the order, not after.

What do different toilet types cost?

Toilet type moves the price more than most buyers expect, because each design adds parts. A standard floor-mounted two-piece is the base case.

Comfort-height, compact and high-efficiency versions each change what you pay.

Universal Height models like the Drake and Entrada are taller than a standard toilet and meet the ADA height requirement. That comfort feature doesn't push them into the premium tier.

Compact and corner designs often cost more for the same job, because the smaller china is harder to make. If space is tight, our guide to compact toilets for small bathrooms shows where the money goes.

Bowl shape is part of the same calculation. Both TOTO models use an elongated oval bowl, which TOTO says provides added space for comfort.

An elongated bowl takes more floor depth than a round one, so the shape shows up in the rough-in check as well as the seat feel.

Flush volume is the other type lever. The Drake runs at 1.6 gallons per flush and the Entrada at 1.28, and both use a 3 inch flush valve.

The Entrada meets EPA WaterSense and California's CEC and CALGreen standards, so the lower volume carries no compliance penalty.

What does a toilet cost to install?

Installation is the second cost to plan, whether you hire a plumber or do it yourself. A straightforward swap on a sound flange is a short job.

A broken flange, soft floor or mismatched rough-in turns it into a bigger one.

The Danco kit covers the parts a first-timer needs in one box. Its Perfect Seal has a hidden wax ring that the maker says seals three times stronger than a regular wax ring, and its Zero Cut bolts adjust from 1 to 3 inches without cutting.

How do the Danco kit parts change install day?

The Perfect Seal works with flanges from 1/2 inch above the floor to 1-1/2 inches below it, which covers most situations a DIYer will meet. The hidden wax ring keeps the messy part contained, and the design allows the toilet to be repositioned during the fit.

The Zero Cut bolts adjust up to 3 inches and turn by hand, so nobody has to saw a bolt to length over the china. Danco's own warning is that over-tightening is what chips or cracks a toilet, and cutting is where that risk starts.

Sliding adapters tighten the bolts and the low-profile caps lock and release.

One tip from the maker: if the toilet does not sit flush to the floor, the black plastic ring inside the gray rubber casing can be removed so the Perfect Seal compresses fully. That is the fix for a flange sitting below the floor line.

Which toilets fit a mid-range budget?

A branded two-piece with an efficient flush is the sensible mid-range buy. It costs more than the cheapest unit but less than a one-piece, and the flush system is where the daily difference shows.

The TOTO Entrada is the lower-cost entry. Its E-Max system uses 1.28 gallons per flush with a 3 inch flush valve and an extra-large siphon jet, and TOTO says the design stays quiet compared with pressure-assist toilets.

It's the pick when the budget is tight and you want a known flush system. Step up only if you want the easier-clean glaze or the stronger rinse.

The Entrada's glazed trapway is also worth noting, since a smooth trapway gives waste less to catch on its way out.

Check the rough-in before you fall for either one. The Entrada lists a 12 inch rough-in and Universal Height, and its dimensions are 28.63 inches deep by 15.25 inches wide by 30 inches high.

The Drake's footprint is a little wider and shallower, so a tight alcove may only fit one of the two.

Is it worth paying more for a premium toilet?

Yes, when the upgrade buys less cleaning and a better seat height. The TOTO Drake adds TORNADO FLUSH, which TOTO says swirls water in a circular pattern to wash the whole bowl surface, and the CEFIONTECT glaze, which the maker says keeps waste from sticking.

Those two features cut how often you scrub and how much harsh cleaner you use. The Drake also uses 1.6 gallons per flush with a 3 inch flush valve and a siphon jet bowl, so the extra spend doesn't cost you water savings.

It's the strongest all-round buy in this price band. Our [Swiss Madison St.

Tropez review](/swiss-madison-st-tropez-review/) and Gerber Maxwell toilet reviews show what the same money gets from other brands.

The drain details back up the cleaning claim. The Drake lists a 2-1/8 inch trap seal and a minimum flowing water pressure of 8 psi.

Those numbers decide whether the swirl actually clears the bowl in your plumbing, so they matter more than the label on the tank.

Which toilet should you buy at each budget?

Match the toilet to the room, not just the price tag. For a main bathroom you plan to keep, the TOTO Drake is the clear pick, since its flush and glaze do the most to reduce cleaning.

For a rental or a tight budget, the TOTO Entrada delivers a known flush system for less.

If you want to compare the two TOTO models directly, our TOTO Drake vs Entrada comparison settles it.

Whichever you choose, add the install parts in the same order. Skip the cheapest builder-grade unit if the bathroom gets daily use, because the savings rarely last.

Set your budget around the average toilet cost for the tier you need, then spend the leftover on a good seat.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a toilet cost on average?

Most toilets fall into the budget or mid-range tier once you count the bowl and tank set. A basic two-piece sits at the low end, a branded efficient model in the middle, and one-piece or comfort-height designs at the top.

Labor and the wax ring, bolts and supply line push the installed total above the fixture alone.

Is a one-piece toilet worth the extra cost?

A one-piece toilet costs more than a two-piece of the same brand, and you pay for a smooth look and fewer crevices to clean. If your budget is fixed, a two-piece like the TOTO Drake or Entrada does the same flushing job for less, so spend the difference on the install kit instead.

What hidden costs come with a new toilet?

Plan for a wax ring, floor bolts, a water supply line and a seat, because bowl and tank sets leave these out. Add a disposal fee for the old toilet in some areas and a plumber's charge if you won't fit it yourself.

The Danco kit bundles the seal and bolts in one box.

Does a low-flush toilet cost more to buy?

A 1.28 GPF model like the TOTO Entrada usually costs about the same as a 1.6 GPF model in the same brand, so the water saving is not a price premium. Both meet the same plumbing standards, so the choice comes down to the flush system and the bowl you prefer.

How much should I budget for a toilet that lasts?

Spend in the mid-range on a brand with a known flush system and a glaze that resists staining. A vitreous china two-piece from TOTO with CEFIONTECT or a comparable coating is the better long-term buy than the cheapest builder-grade unit, so the small step up usually pays off.

Do I need to pay a plumber to install a toilet?

No, if the flange is sound and the rough-in matches. A two-piece set with a kit like the Danco All-in-One takes an afternoon for a careful DIYer.

Call a plumber when the flange is broken, the floor is soft, or the rough-in doesn't line up.