Miami locksmith prices sit in the upper-middle range nationally. A residential lockout in Miami typically costs $95 to $215, and you'll find everything from highly professional licensed businesses to outright scammers operating in this market. The combination of Florida's lax licensing environment, heavy tourist foot traffic, and year-round demand makes Miami one of the more complicated locksmith markets in the country to navigate.
Here's what you actually need to know.
Miami Locksmith Price Ranges (2026)
| Service | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|
| Residential lockout | $95 – $215 |
| Car lockout | $80 – $155 |
| Rekey a lock | $65 – $115 per lock |
| Deadbolt installation (labor + hardware) | $125 – $290 |
| Lock replacement | $115 – $255 |
| Broken key extraction | $85 – $155 |
| Safe opening | $175 – $450 |
| After-hours surcharge | $35 – $85 extra |
These are 2026 market rates for legitimate, insured locksmiths in Miami-Dade County. After-hours service — which is extremely common in a 24/7 entertainment city — carries a meaningful surcharge.
Florida Has No Statewide Locksmith License
This is critical information before you hire anyone in Miami: Florida does not require locksmiths to hold a statewide license.
Florida attempted to pass locksmith licensing legislation multiple times over the past two decades and failed each time. The result is that anyone in Florida can call themselves a locksmith with no formal training, no background check, and no state oversight. Miami has had well-documented problems with fraudulent locksmith operators as a result.
What to look for instead:
- Miami-Dade County business license (required for operating in the county)
- General liability insurance (ask for a certificate)
- Bonding
- Membership in ALOA (Associated Locksmiths of America) — voluntary but meaningful
- A real physical address — not just a phone number
Miami-Dade has somewhat stricter local requirements than rural Florida, but "local requirements" still fall far short of the licensing systems in states like California or Texas.
Why Miami Locksmith Prices Run Higher
Tourist Economy and Constant Demand
Miami is one of the most visited cities in the US. Hotels, vacation rentals, cruise ship passengers, and domestic tourists create constant lockout demand. Tourists locked out of their Airbnb at midnight in South Beach don't have time to shop around — locksmiths who serve tourist-heavy areas know this and price accordingly.
High Cost of Living
Miami's cost of living has risen sharply over the past several years. Real estate, insurance, and general business overhead are all expensive, and that flows into service rates.
Bilingual Service Market
Miami's large Spanish-speaking population (the majority of the Miami metro is Hispanic) means many legitimate locksmiths operate bilingually. This isn't a price driver per se, but it means you have access to Spanish-language service — something worth noting if you or your household is more comfortable in Spanish.
No Price Floor from Licensing
The absence of licensing creates a weird dynamic: legitimate, professional locksmiths need to charge enough to cover their insurance, equipment, and trained labor. But scammers quote $39 and then charge $400. This makes the price range in Miami wider and less predictable than in licensed states.
Service-by-Service Breakdown
Residential Lockouts
A house or apartment lockout in Miami costs $95 to $215. Standard daytime lockout: $110 to $145. After-hours on a weekend during high season (December through March): easily $175 to $215. If you're renting, call your property manager or landlord before paying a locksmith — many Miami buildings have emergency contact lines.
Car Lockouts
Car lockouts run $80 to $155. Standard mechanical lockout is toward the lower end. Newer vehicles, rental cars, or situations where a slim jim approach won't work cost more. If you rented a car and locked the keys inside, contact the rental company first — they may dispatch roadside assistance for free.
Rekeying
Rekeying costs $65 to $115 per lock. Miami's rental market is massive, with a huge short-term rental (Airbnb/VRBO) sector. If you've just moved or taken over a rental unit, rekeying is especially important — previous guests or tenants in Miami's transient market may have copies of keys that were never collected.
Many Airbnb hosts in Miami rekey between every occupant as a standard practice, which drives a high-volume rekeying business.
Deadbolt Installation
Total cost: $125 to $290. Hurricane-grade door reinforcement is worth asking about in Miami — a proper Grade 1 deadbolt with a reinforced strike plate makes a real difference, and Miami locksmiths are familiar with the need for solid hardware given the area's storm exposure and property crime rates.
Smart lock installation is also popular in Miami's short-term rental market — code-based locks that can be changed remotely between guests are standard in many vacation properties.
After-Hours and Tourist Area Pricing
South Beach, Brickell, Wynwood, and the Design District are areas where after-hours locksmith demand is highest. Expect prices toward the upper end of the range in these areas, especially late at night and on weekends.
The Scam Problem in Miami
Miami has had serious, documented issues with locksmith fraud. The pattern is familiar: a fake listing on Google Maps with a local Miami phone number, a quoted price of $39 or $49, then an operator who shows up (often with no ID, no marked vehicle, and basic tools), declares the lock must be drilled, and demands $350 cash.
Florida Consumer Protection gets more locksmith fraud complaints per capita than most states. Miami-Dade specifically is a hotspot.
How to protect yourself:
- Before you call: Search Google Maps and check that the business has a real website, a physical address, and reviews that span multiple years
- On the phone: Ask for the total price, not just a service fee. Ask for the technician's name and the company's business license number
- When they arrive: Ask to see ID before they start. If they won't show it, send them away
- When they quote: Confirm the price before they touch anything. If the price changed from what you were told on the phone, that's a major red flag
- Cash only is a red flag: Legitimate locksmiths accept credit cards
Neighborhood Notes
- South Beach / Miami Beach: Tourist-heavy, high demand, prices at upper range
- Brickell / Downtown Miami: Dense professional market, fast response times, mid-to-upper pricing
- Coral Gables / Coconut Grove: More established residential market, competitive pricing from local operators
- Hialeah / North Miami: More competitive pricing, strong Spanish-speaking operator base
- Little Havana / Little Haiti: Community-based businesses with competitive rates
- Doral / Miami Lakes: Suburban areas, often slightly lower pricing
- Kendall / Homestead: Some travel fees from central Miami operators, look for local providers
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a locksmith cost in Miami? Residential lockouts typically cost $95 to $215. Standard daytime calls run $110 to $150. After-hours or weekend calls can reach $175 to $215. Car lockouts cost $80 to $155.
Is there a locksmith license requirement in Florida? No. Florida has no statewide locksmith license. Miami-Dade County requires a local business license, and legitimate operators carry liability insurance and bonding. Always ask for these credentials before hiring.
Do Miami locksmiths offer service in Spanish? Many do — Miami's locksmith market is heavily bilingual. If you prefer Spanish, mention it when you call. Most operators in Miami can accommodate you.
Why is my Miami locksmith bill so much higher than the quote? This is the most common locksmith complaint in Florida. Scammers quote a low "service fee" ($39–$49) and then charge for labor, parts, and "special locks" once they arrive. To avoid this: ask for a full price quote before anyone starts working, get it confirmed when the technician arrives, and do not let work begin if the number changed significantly.
Are tourist area locksmiths more expensive? Yes, in practice. Areas like South Beach, the Wynwood Art District, and Brickell see higher after-hours demand and less price sensitivity from visitors. Locksmiths who serve these areas charge accordingly.
Is rekeying important for Miami short-term rentals? Extremely important. Airbnb hosts in Miami deal with high guest turnover. Traditional key-based rekeying between guests costs $65 to $115 per lock. Many hosts switch to smart locks with changeable codes — that upfront investment pays for itself quickly in convenience and security.