How Much Does an Upright Piano Cost?

If you’re shopping for an acoustic piano, an upright may seem like the practical choice. It takes up less room than a grand, and it’s generally more affordable. But there’s a lot more to upright pianos than that.

The category includes everything from modestly priced instruments for beginning students to handcrafted professional pianos that can cost more than some grands.

So, how much should you expect to spend on an upright piano?
Published manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) for new upright pianos generally start around $5,700 and can exceed $80,000 for select handcrafted European instruments. Actual selling prices may be lower depending on the piano, the dealer, and available promotions. Used upright prices vary even more widely.

That’s a substantial range, especially when many upright pianos look so similar. In reality, two instruments of nearly identical size and appearance can be very different in tone, touch, construction, and musical capabilities.

Understanding those differences can help you decide how much to spend, what you’ll get for your money, and which upright piano will best serve your needs over time.

New upright pianos come in a wide range of prices. As a general guide, here’s what you can expect based on published U.S. manufacturer’s suggested retail prices:

• Entry-level upright pianos start around $5,700.
• Home and student upright pianos commonly range from about $7,500 to around $12,000.
• Professional upright pianos may range from roughly $12,000 to $25,000.
• Handcrafted European and concert-level instruments can extend well beyond $25,000 to $80,000 or more.

These categories overlap, and actual selling prices may be lower than MSRP. Size alone doesn’t determine price, either. A smaller handcrafted upright can cost considerably more than a taller instrument built to a different standard.

For a broader look at acoustic piano prices, including grand pianos, see our How Much Does a New Piano Cost in 2026? guide.

Price alone doesn’t tell you how a piano will sound or feel, or whether it’s the right choice for you. But as your budget increases, you’ll generally find differences in design, materials, construction, and the attention each instrument receives during manufacturing.

Those differences can affect everything from tonal depth and responsiveness to how much control you have as a player. Here’s what you might expect at different price levels.

Entry-level uprights are generally produced in larger quantities and designed to offer a dependable acoustic piano experience at a more accessible price. They’re a common starting point for beginning students, families, and recreational players.

Quality can vary even within this category. A good entry-level upright should hold its tuning well, have an even and responsive touch, and produce a reasonably balanced tone. For a beginning student, those qualities are especially important. The piano needs to function properly and give the player a fair chance to learn and develop good technique.

You shouldn’t expect the same tonal depth, subtle control, or individual manufacturing attention found in higher-priced instruments. But a well-chosen entry-level upright can serve a household for many years.

It’s also worth thinking beyond the first year of lessons. A motivated student may eventually outgrow an entry-level piano, so consider how long you hope to keep the instrument and whether the dealer offers a trade-up program.

As your budget increases, you’ll generally find more choices in design, materials, and construction, including taller uprights with longer bass strings, larger soundboards, and more precisely built actions.

Depending on the instrument, these differences can give you a fuller bass, a wider range of tonal color, and greater control when playing softly or with more power.

These pianos can be a good fit for progressing students, committed adult players, teachers, and families who expect their piano to remain in use for many years.

Sometimes, you can hear and feel those improvements with only a small increase in price. And that matters. A piano isn’t just a piece of furniture. For someone who plays, it’s an instrument they spend time with, learn from, and hopefully look forward to sitting down at.

The right piano can inspire you to play more often, making that additional investment worthwhile. But you may also find that a less expensive instrument gives you everything you need. Comparing pianos side by side is the best way to know.

Professional upright pianos are designed for more demanding playing, whether that’s an advanced student practicing at home, a teacher working with students throughout the day, or musicians using a piano in a school, church, studio, or rehearsal space.

These instruments generally offer more refined tone and touch, along with the responsiveness and control needed for demanding playing. Those qualities can be especially important when a piano is used for hours each day or shared by musicians with different playing styles and expectations.

For serious players who don’t have room for a grand, a well-made professional upright can be an excellent alternative.

At the upper end of the market are premium and handcrafted upright pianos, often produced in smaller numbers with exceptional attention to materials, construction, and musical performance.

These instruments appeal to advanced pianists, teachers, professional musicians, and institutions where musical performance is a priority, but space may be limited. Others simply prefer the tonal character, craftsmanship, or appearance of an upright from a particular manufacturer.

Prices in this category can rival or exceed those of many new grand pianos. The higher cost may reflect sophisticated scale designs, carefully selected materials, extensive handwork, specialized action components, fine cabinetry, and the individual attention each instrument receives during manufacturing.

Appearances aside, a premium upright is more than just an expensive version of a basic vertical piano. At its best, it’s a serious performance instrument for someone who wants exceptional musical capabilities in an upright, whether that’s a matter of space, personal preference, or a particular sound and feel.

Two upright pianos can look nearly identical yet have very different prices. Much of what separates them comes down to what’s inside and how the instruments are designed and built. Several factors influence the price:

• Scale design: The relationship among string length, soundboard size, bridges, and other acoustical components helps shape a piano’s tone, sustain, and overall musical character.
• Materials: The selection and quality of woods, felt, strings, hammers, and action parts can affect sound, responsiveness, consistency, and durability.
• Action design and precision: The design and construction of the action, along with the amount of adjustment it receives, influence how responsive and controllable the piano feels to play.
• Manufacturing: Production volume, manufacturing methods, labor costs, and the amount of individual handwork all contribute to the cost.
• Cabinet and finish: Construction, styling, hardware, wood veneers, and finishes can affect the price, even when the underlying musical instrument is similar.
• Built-in technology: Options such as Yamaha SILENT Piano and TransAcoustic technology add features like private practice and adjustable volume to an acoustic upright, which can also affect its price. Learn more about these options in our guide to acoustic pianos with modern technology.

Where a piano is manufactured can also influence its price because labor costs, production methods, and manufacturing scale vary around the world. But country of origin alone isn’t a reliable measure of quality. Well-made upright pianos are produced in several countries and at many different price levels.

Height can make a noticeable difference in how an upright piano performs. Taller uprights generally have room for longer bass strings and larger soundboards, which can contribute to a fuller bass, longer sustain, and a broader tonal range. Some taller professional models also have longer keys and more refined actions that give the player greater control.

But taller doesn’t automatically mean better.

A well-designed 46-inch upright, for example, may offer a more satisfying playing experience than a taller piano built with less attention to materials, design, and construction.

Height is most useful when comparing different models within the same manufacturer’s lineup. When you’re comparing different brands, it’s better to consider the piano’s overall design, construction, tone, and touch rather than using height as a measure of quality.

Used upright piano prices are much less predictable than new piano prices. You might find an older upright offered privately for free, for a few hundred dollars, or for several thousand. At an established dealership, professionally prepared used uprights typically start in the low thousands, with higher prices for newer instruments, premium brands, and restored pianos.

A free piano can certainly be appealing, but it isn’t necessarily free once you account for everything involved in bringing it home and getting it into good playing condition. As we explain in The True Cost of a Free Piano, moving, tuning, repairs, and other expenses can add up quickly.

Some older uprights are worth restoring, but in many cases, the work required can exceed what the piano would be worth afterward.

That doesn’t mean buying privately is a bad idea. A well-maintained upright that’s been kept in a stable environment can be an excellent purchase. The important thing is to have it inspected by a qualified piano technician before you commit to buying or moving it.

If you’re considering a used upright, our guide to what a used piano is worth explains why two similar instruments may have very different values.

A used upright from a reputable dealer will generally cost more than one purchased privately, but there are reasons for that difference. Dealers typically incur the costs of acquiring, moving, inspecting, tuning, repairing, and preparing their instruments for sale. Warranty coverage and service after the sale may also be included.

When comparing prices, it helps to consider what it would cost to bring a privately purchased piano to the same playing condition as one prepared by a dealer. The lowest asking price isn’t necessarily the best value.

For a broader comparison, see our New vs. Used Acoustic Pianos: Which Should You Buy? guide.

A well-made upright can sometimes outperform an entry-level or even midrange grand piano at a similar price. Depending on the instruments you’re comparing, the upright may offer a richer tone, a more responsive touch, and better overall construction.

A grand piano still offers a different playing experience. Its horizontal action allows for faster note repetition, while the placement of its soundboard and the way it projects sound into a room contribute to its distinctive musical character. For some players, those advantages make a grand the clear preference.

But a grand isn’t automatically the better piano simply because it’s a grand. At overlapping prices, a higher-quality upright may offer more of what matters to you musically. The best way to decide is to compare the actual instruments and consider their tone, touch, construction, and how you enjoy playing them.

If you’re weighing both options, our How Much Does a Grand Piano Cost? guide can help you understand what to expect at different grand piano price levels.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) is a useful starting point when comparing upright pianos, but it isn’t necessarily what you’ll pay.

Actual selling prices can vary depending on the brand, model, dealer inventory, manufacturer promotions, floor models, discontinued finishes, and special purchases. A trade-in may also reduce the amount you need to pay toward a new piano, while financing options can affect how you manage the purchase.

Some manufacturers place restrictions on how dealers can advertise pricing, so the best available price may not always appear online.

That’s why it’s worth asking for a personal purchase proposal on any piano you’re seriously considering. You’ll have a clearer picture of the actual price, available offers, and what’s included before making a decision.

As a family-owned company with multiple showrooms, PianoWerkes has access to inventory and purchasing opportunities across our locations. We also keep a close eye on manufacturer promotions, special purchases, trade-ins, and other opportunities that help us offer competitive pricing.

Our philosophy has always been to offer quality piano brands at the best prices we can, stand behind the instruments we sell, and provide generous trade-up options.

Of course, not every piano comes with the same discount. Pricing varies by brand and model, and rare or one-of-a-kind instruments may be affected by availability and replacement cost.

A good price matters, but so does knowing what comes with it.

Even a new upright piano needs professional inspection and preparation before delivery. Tuning, regulation, voicing, and other adjustments can make a noticeable difference in how the piano sounds and feels. The amount of preparation completed by dealerships can vary considerably.

When comparing prices, it’s worth asking:

• How has the piano been prepared?
• Is delivery included?
• Is an in-home tuning included after delivery?
• What warranty coverage is provided?
• Who will help if the piano needs service?
• Is there a trade-up option?
• Are financing programs available?
• Are there any additional charges?

A lower price may not be the better value if it comes with little preparation or support. At the same time, professional preparation and service shouldn’t be an excuse for inflated pricing. You should be able to expect both a fair price and a properly prepared piano.

To plan beyond the purchase price, see our guide to the cost of owning a piano for typical tuning expenses, occasional repairs, and long-term care.

A few practical steps can help you find the right piano at the best available price:

• Compare pianos in person. Two uprights at similar prices can sound and feel very different. Playing them side by side can help you understand what you’re getting for your money.
• Ask for a personal purchase proposal. Request the dealer’s best available price on the specific piano you’re considering.
• Get the most from your trade-in. If you already own a piano, gather its brand, model, serial number or approximate age, and any maintenance records. This information can help your dealer determine its trade-in value.
• Explore financing options. Manufacturer promotions and financing programs may make a higher-quality instrument more accessible or help you manage the purchase over time.
• Compare what’s included. Preparation, delivery, tuning, warranties, and service can all affect the value of your purchase.
• Choose the piano, not just the discount. A dramatic markdown doesn’t automatically make one piano a better value than another. Pay attention to the instrument itself and what you’re actually getting for the price.

At PianoWerkes in Albuquerque, you can explore a wide selection of new upright pianos and used upright pianos across different brands, sizes, and price points.

Our team can help you compare your options and prepare a personal purchase proposal with our best available pricing, along with information about professional preparation, delivery, warranty coverage, financing, and trade-up opportunities.

Visit us at 7410 Washington St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, or call 505-338-0028 if you’d like to talk through your options before you visit.

New upright pianos start around $5,700 MSRP, while many quality home and student instruments fall between approximately $7,500 and $12,000. Professional and handcrafted uprights can cost considerably more. The right amount to spend depends on the instrument’s quality, your playing needs, and how long you expect to keep it. Actual selling prices may be lower than MSRP.

A well-built upright piano can provide decades of use when properly maintained. Its lifespan depends on construction quality, how heavily it’s played, the environment where it’s kept, and the care it receives. Regular tuning and appropriate maintenance can help preserve both its playing condition and long-term value.

Usually, although condition makes a significant difference. A used upright may allow you to purchase a higher-quality instrument within your budget, but moving, repairs, and preparation can add to the cost. If you’re buying privately, have a qualified piano technician inspect the piano before committing.

Yes. A well-made upright may offer better tone, touch, and construction than a similarly priced entry-level baby grand. Grand pianos have distinct advantages in action design and sound projection, but the best choice depends on the individual instruments and your musical priorities.

Many do, depending on the brand, model, dealer, and available promotions. Because advertised prices don’t always reflect the best available offer, it’s worth requesting a personal purchase proposal to understand the actual selling price and what’s included.