What is the Price of #4 Aluminum Electrical Wire?

What is the Price of #4 Aluminum Electrical Wire?

If you are searching for the cost of #4 Aluminum wire, you’ve likely noticed a frustrating trend: prices vary wildly from one website to the next. One page might list it at $0.45 per foot, while another shows $2.50 per foot.

Why the massive gap? It’s because "#4 Aluminum" isn't a single product. It is a gauge size used in several different cable constructions, each designed for a specific purpose. Using the wrong one could not only cost you more money but could also fail an inspection.

Here is the breakdown of the "Real Cost" of #4 Aluminum and how to choose the right one for your project.

#4 XHHW-2 Aluminum (The Single Conductor)

Estimated Price: $ (Lowest) Best For: Pulling through conduit for service feeders or branch circuits. This is a single, insulated wire. If your project requires a 4-wire setup (two hots, a neutral, and a ground), you have to buy four separate strands. While the price per foot looks low, remember to multiply it by the number of conductors your circuit requires.

Installer's Insight: XHHW-2 is preferred over THHN for aluminum because the insulation is more chemically resistant and easier to pull.

👉 View #4 XHHW-2 Aluminum Pricing

#4-4-4-6 SER Aluminum (The All-In-One Service Cable)

Estimated Price: $$$ (Higher) Best For: Sub-panels and interior service drops. SER is a "Service Entrance" cable. It bundles three #4 conductors and one #6 ground into a single gray jacket. While the price per foot is much higher than a single wire, it's often more cost-effective because it saves labor time and doesn't require conduit in many interior applications.

👉 View #4-4-4-6 SER Aluminum Pricing 

#4 Direct Burial URD (The Underground Distribution Cable)

Estimated Price: $$ (Moderate) Best For: Direct burial from a meter to a house or shed. URD is designed to be buried directly in the earth without conduit. It is typically "triplexed" (three wires twisted together). It is rugged and moisture-resistant but cannot be run inside a home because it lacks a fire-rated jacket.

Installer’s Insight: Per the NEC, standard URD is strictly for outdoors. You can only run it a maximum of 5 feet inside a building before it must terminate into a junction box or panel.

👉 View 4-4-4 Vassar Aluminum Triplex URD Pricing

👉View #4-4-4-4 Tulsa Aluminum Triplex URD Pricing

#4 XLP-USE RHH-RHW-2 (The Triple Rated Solution)

Estimated Price: $$ (Moderate) Best For: Solar arrays, direct burial, and seamless transitions from outside to inside. Often called "Triple Rated" wire, this is the Swiss Army Knife of #4 Aluminum. Unlike standard URD, the RHW-2 rating means it is fire-retardant and legal to run inside your building all the way to the panel. It is also highly resistant to heat, moisture, and sunlight.

Installer’s Insight: If you are running power from a solar rack to an indoor inverter, this wire saves you money on junction boxes because you don't have to switch cables when you enter the building.

👉View #4 XLP-USE RHH-RHW-2 Pricing

#4-3 Aluminum MC Cable (The Conduit Alternative)

Estimated Price: $$$ (Higher) Best For: Commercial interiors, multi-family housing, and avoiding conduit. MC (Metal Clad) cable features three #4 aluminum conductors and a bare ground, all wrapped in a flexible, interlocked aluminum armor. Think of it as "wire with the conduit already on it." While the price per foot is higher, your labor costs and installation time will drop significantly.

Installer’s Insight: MC Cable is the favorite of commercial contractors because it can be "fished" through walls and open ceilings much faster than bending and installing EMT pipe.

👉 View #4-3 Aluminum MC Cable Pricing

Which #4 Aluminum Wire is Right for You?

1. #4 XHHW-2 (Single Conductor)

• Cost: Lowest

• Best Use: Pulling through conduit for feeders

• Key Detail: Needs to be bundled (4 wires) for a standard circuit

2. #4-4-4-6 SER (Service Entrance Round)

• Cost: Highest (includes jacket and ground)

• Best Use: Indoor sub-panels and additions

• Key Detail: No conduit required in many interior applications

3. #4 URD (Underground Distribution)

• Cost: Moderate

• Best Use: Direct burial in a trench (outdoor only)

• Key Detail: Cannot be run inside a building

4. #4 XLP-USE / RHH-RHW-2 (Triple Rated)

• Cost: Moderate

• Best Use: Solar power and outside-to-inside runs

• Key Detail: Fire-rated for indoor use and sunlight resistant

5. #4-3 Aluminum MC Cable (Metal Clad)

• Cost: Higher (includes built-in armor)

• Best Use: Commercial interiors and fast-track jobs

• Key Detail: Built-in flexible conduit saves massive labor time

Conclusion: Get the Right #4 Aluminum for Your Project

Choosing the right wire isn't just about finding the lowest price—it's about ensuring your project passes inspection and stands the test of time. Whether you are burying URD in a trench, pulling XHHW-2 through conduit, or upgrading a sub-panel with SER, the "real cost" is measured in safety and reliability.

How Wire America Can Help

• Cut-to-Length: Only pay for the footage you need.

• Fast Shipping: We get your wire on the truck quickly so you can get the job done.

• Expert Support: Not sure if you need SER or URD? Our team is here to help.

Need a Bulk Quote? If you are ordering for a large commercial project or need specific reel configurations, our sales team is here to help.

Request a Custom Quote Here or call us directly at 1 (833) 268-8644 for expert assistance.

At Wire America, we believe in genuine conversation. You'll always talk with real people who understand that every project requires careful product selection. We're here to ensure you feel educated, confident, and great about your final purchase. Feel free to give us a call to discuss your project! You can reach us at: 833-268-8644

⚠️ Important Disclaimer: Safety and Compliance

Wire America provides this information as a guide only. Electrical installations must strictly adhere to the National Electrical Code (NEC) and all state, local, and jurisdictional requirements, which vary widely. Always consult a licensed electrician, electrical engineer, or the local inspecting authority before purchasing material or starting any electrical project. Wire America assumes no liability for the installation, use, or interpretation of these guides.