The current study is focused on thermoeconomic analysis of a single effect mechanical vapor compression (MVC) desalination system operating with and without brine recirculation. For this purpose, first- and second-law analyses are carried out to estimate the energy consumption and second-law efficiency of the plant. A single stage seawater reverse osmosis plant is also presented for the sake of comparison. For thermal systems, a detailed heat exchanger design is provided to calculate an overall heat transfer coefficients, heat transfer areas, and the pressure drops on the cold- and hot-sides of the heat exchangers. Besides, the product cost is calculated and compared by using two different cost estimation methods. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the cost-flow method of economic analysis is more elaborative and useful because it enables the component level cost optimization. The calculations reported the values of specific energy consumption (SEC), second law efficiency and product cost to be 10 to 13 kWh/m(3), 8 to 9% and 1.7 to 2.3 $/m(3), respectively. Furthermore, it is shown that the input parameters like cost index factor, electricity cost, compressor efficiency and the heat transfer areas have a remarkable influence on the product cost and must be selected carefully for accurate cost estimation.