Asphalt driveway cost in Decatur, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $2,750 – $6,600
- Per sq ft
- $4.55 – $10.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −10%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #272
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pave a driveway in Decatur, plan on $2,750 to $6,600 for 600 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $4.55 to $10.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 10% lower than the national one. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $20.14 an hour in the Decatur area, 21% below the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Decatur, AL, standard level
$3,900 to $5,450
About $6.40 to $8.85 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 36% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,500 | $3,250 |
| Labor | $1,350 | $2,050 |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $140 |
| Total | $3,900 | $5,450 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Decatur, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $2,850 | $3,800 | 61% |
| Labor | $820 | $1,700 | $2,600 | 36% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $110 | $170 | 2% |
| Total | $2,750 | $4,700 | $6,600 | 100% |
Why Decatur prices look the way they do
Labor is 36% of the midpoint bill here, against 41% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (40%), construction laborers (30%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (30%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Decatur the blended ratio comes out at 0.80. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Alabama statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Decatur metro is 96.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 600 sq ft comes to $2,850, compared with $2,950 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (87.2) and land at $45 to $170.
Data note: 40% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Decatur. The wage table below marks each row.
Optional extras in Decatur
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Decatur by the average of the local wage index (0.80) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.88. Tick any of them in the estimator above to add them to your total. Treat these as planning figures: an add-on touches different trades than the main job, so the scaling is an approximation.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a sealcoat | $530 – $1,050 |
Cost by quality level and size in Decatur
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Decatur wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$2,750 to $4,300
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$3,900 to $5,450
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$5,050 to $6,600
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,150 – $1,800 | $1,600 – $2,250 | $2,100 – $2,750 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,850 – $2,900 | $2,650 – $3,650 | $3,400 – $4,450 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $2,750 – $4,300 | $3,900 – $5,450 | $5,050 – $6,600 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $4,600 – $7,100 | $6,450 – $9,000 | $8,350 – $10,900 |
Climate in Decatur: timing your asphalt driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Decatur Pryor Fld (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
February through June and September through December are the stretches where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Decatur (9 of 12 months). January has an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F); July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 62 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Decatur gets about 49 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are February, March and December (5.2 inches in December). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.2 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 64 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 51 | 32 | 4.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 55 | 35 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 64 | 42 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 50 | 4.5 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 59 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 67 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 70 | 4.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 68 | 3.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 85 | 61 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 75 | 50 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 62 | 39 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 54 | 35 | 5.2 | Workable |
Related projects, priced for Decatur
Because every project leans on different trades, Decatur's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs −11% and concrete driveway −14%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,150 – $7,800 | −14% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,200 – $9,050 | −11% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,800 | −12% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $540 – $1,900 | −11% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,150 – $4,650 | −11% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,150 – $3,450 | −12% |
Decatur against nearby metros and the rest of Alabama
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Decatur. Tuscaloosa is the lowest at about $4,550 (midpoint, 600 sq ft), 105 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur, ALthis page | $2,750 – $6,600 | $4,700 | |
| Huntsville, AL30 miles | $2,800 – $6,750 | $4,800 | +2% |
| Birmingham, AL75 miles | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | +4% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL105 miles | $2,700 – $6,450 | $4,550 | −2% |
| Chattanooga, TN105 miles | $2,800 – $6,650 | $4,700 | +1% |
| Nashville, TN115 miles | $2,900 – $7,050 | $5,000 | +6% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $2,750 – $6,550 | $4,650 | −1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | +12% |
Across 300 US metros, Decatur comes in at #272 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $7,650; the cheapest is Fort Smith, AR at $4,450 (midpoints, 600 sq ft). Statewide, Decatur is 1% above the Alabama figure.
Other Alabama metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | +4% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $2,800 – $6,750 | $4,800 | +2% |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $2,750 – $6,550 | $4,650 | −1% |
| Montgomery, AL | 165,550 jobs | $2,750 – $6,450 | $4,600 | −2% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $2,700 – $6,450 | $4,550 | −2% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $2,750 – $6,600 | $4,700 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Decatur's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Decatur against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | 61,770 jobs | $2,850 – $6,950 | $4,900 | +5% |
| Dothan, AL | 60,720 jobs | $2,700 – $6,450 | $4,550 | −2% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $3,000 – $7,350 | $5,200 | +11% |
| Sheboygan, WI | 60,630 jobs | $3,150 – $7,800 | $5,450 | +17% |
Decatur labor market for asphalt driveway
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Decatur is 0.80 times the national level.
Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) carry 40% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Decatur metro, so we used the Alabama statewide median: $20.14 an hour against $25.64 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $17.74 and $23.61 an hour.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $18.11 an hour, 20% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $15.52 and $23.05 an hour. About 690 work in the metro. That is 112.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $23.79 an hour, which is 17% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.70 and $28.46 an hour. BLS counts 290 of them working in the area, 47.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($23.61 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $120. At the 25th percentile ($17.74) it shrinks by about $80. The total moves by 2.5% or 1.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 61,240 jobs in the Decatur area. That makes it the 283rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) | 40% | $17.74 | $20.14 | $23.61 | $25.64 | 0.79 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $15.52 | $18.11 | $23.05 | $22.66 | 0.80 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $21.70 | $23.79 | $28.46 | $28.78 | 0.83 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.80 | |||||
Why two Decatur quotes can differ
New versus overlay
Resurfacing an existing driveway runs $3-$7 per sq ft; a full new driveway runs $5-$12+ (HomeGuide). Tearing out and replacing one is higher still.
Base work
Four to eight inches of compacted aggregate under the asphalt is where cheap quotes cut corners. Base typically runs $1-$3 per sq ft.
Small jobs cost more per foot
Paving crews move a paver, roller and trucks to your address, so a 400 sq ft driveway carries more mobilization per square foot than a 1,000 sq ft one.
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $3,900 to $5,450 for Decatur, AL is attached.
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Multi-page report for Decatur, AL: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Asphalt driveway in Decatur: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Decatur?
For 600 sq ft, expect $2,750 to $6,600 in the Decatur area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,900 to $5,450. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Decatur?
About $4.55 to $10.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $170 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $12.
+Is asphalt driveway cheaper in Decatur or Huntsville?
Huntsville is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $4,800, which is 2% more than Decatur ($4,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Decatur?
About 36% at the midpoint, or $1,700 out of $4,700. Materials are 61% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Decatur?
$2,750 to $6,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Decatur?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $170 for fees in the Decatur area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Decatur expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Alabama?
Decatur is 1% above the Alabama statewide estimate ($4,650 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Alabama; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Decatur?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $20.14 an hour, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.74 to $23.61.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Decatur?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $2,750 to $4,300 and premium work $5,050 to $6,600. Basic means: new topcoat over a sound base, flat lot. Premium means: full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth.
+When is the best time to pave a driveway in Decatur?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through June and September through December. September and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
+What does "add a sealcoat" add in Decatur?
$530 to $1,050 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Decatur
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Paving an Asphalt Driveway Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- PaveGauge: Asphalt Driveway Cost (2026): Price by Size (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = hot-mix asphalt ($2.30-$3.60/sq ft at 3 in) plus aggregate base ($1-$3/sq ft) from PaveGauge's component table.