Asphalt driveway cost in Chico, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,550 – $8,800
- Per sq ft
- $5.80 – $14.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +18%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #28
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for an asphalt driveway in the Chico area: $3,550 to $8,800 for 600 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 18% higher than the US figure. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $39.97 an hour in the Chico area, 56% above the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Chico, CA, standard level
$5,100 to $7,200
About $8.35 to $12 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,700 | $3,550 |
| Labor | $2,300 | $3,500 |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $160 |
| Total | $5,100 | $7,200 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Chico, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,100 | $3,100 | $4,150 | 51% |
| Labor | $1,400 | $2,900 | $4,450 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $130 | $200 | 2% |
| Total | $3,550 | $6,150 | $8,800 | 100% |
What is behind the Chico number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators at 40%, construction laborers at 30%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 30%. Weighted together, Chico wages are 1.37 times the national level. Labor makes up about 47% of the midpoint estimate (41% at national prices). BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the California statewide median.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Chico is at 105.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $2,950 nationally becomes $3,100 here (midpoint, 600 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 101.2: $50 to $200.
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 Chico. The wage table below marks each row.
Optional extras in Chico
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.21 for Chico, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.37) and goods price index (1.05). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a sealcoat | $730 – $1,450 |
Who does the work: Chico trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 3 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Chico the blend is 1.37.
Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) carry 40% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Chico metro, so we used the California statewide median: $39.97 an hour against $25.64 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $30.90 and $60.89 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $26.31 an hour, which is 16% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.14 and $34.60 an hour. BLS counts 480 of them working in the area, 61.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $38.00 an hour, 32% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $30.40 and $59.81 an hour. About 230 work in the metro. That is 29.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $700 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $300. That is a swing of roughly 4.9% to 11.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Chico has 78,220 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 241st by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) | 40% | $30.90 | $39.97 | $60.89 | $25.64 | 1.56 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.14 | $26.31 | $34.60 | $22.66 | 1.16 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $30.40 | $38.00 | $59.81 | $28.78 | 1.32 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.37 | |||||
How Chico compares
Same job, same size (600 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Santa Rosa is the priciest of the group at $6,550. Redding is the cheapest at $6,150.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chico, CAthis page | $3,550 – $8,800 | $6,150 | |
| Sacramento, CA70 miles | $3,650 – $9,150 | $6,400 | +4% |
| Redding, CA80 miles | $3,500 – $8,800 | $6,150 | level |
| Napa, CA90 miles | $3,600 – $9,100 | $6,350 | +3% |
| Vallejo, CA100 miles | $3,650 – $9,250 | $6,450 | +5% |
| Santa Rosa, CA105 miles | $3,700 – $9,350 | $6,550 | +6% |
| California (statewide) | $3,650 – $9,100 | $6,350 | +3% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | −15% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Chico ranks #28 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Chico is 3% below the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $3,650 – $9,200 | $6,450 | +4% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $4,100 – $10,600 | $7,350 | +19% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $3,800 – $9,800 | $6,800 | +11% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $3,500 – $8,600 | $6,050 | −2% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $3,850 – $9,850 | $6,850 | +11% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $3,650 – $9,150 | $6,400 | +4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Chico against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced, CA | 79,510 jobs | $3,500 – $8,700 | $6,100 | −1% |
| Napa, CA | 77,860 jobs | $3,600 – $9,100 | $6,350 | +3% |
| Saginaw, MI | 80,000 jobs | $2,950 – $7,200 | $5,050 | −18% |
| Racine, WI | 76,280 jobs | $3,250 – $8,150 | $5,700 | −7% |
Chico: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Chico. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft to long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft.
Basic
$3,550 to $5,650
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$5,100 to $7,200
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$6,700 to $8,800
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,450 – $2,300 | $2,100 – $3,000 | $2,750 – $3,650 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,350 – $3,800 | $3,450 – $4,850 | $4,500 – $5,950 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $3,550 – $5,650 | $5,100 – $7,200 | $6,700 – $8,800 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $5,850 – $9,300 | $8,450 – $11,900 | $11,100 – $14,500 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Chico bid
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.
Hot-mix price
Hot-mix asphalt is $100-$200 per ton delivered and moves with oil prices (PaveGauge).
Planning more than one job in Chico?
Jobs that often go together with asphalt driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Chico wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (+17%) and concrete slab lowest (+8%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,000 – $10,100 | +10% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,850 – $11,700 | +14% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $6,000 | +11% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $700 – $2,450 | +17% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,650 – $5,600 | +8% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,350 – $4,350 | +9% |
The best months for asphalt driveway in Chico
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Chico Univ Farm (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For digging, grading and setting material in the ground, the comfortable months in Chico are October through June: 9 of 12. Outside them, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Chico gets about 27 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (5.1 inches in February). Inside the workable window, May and June are the driest, at 1.4 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 99 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56 | 36 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 62 | 38 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Mar | 67 | 42 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 45 | 1.9 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 52 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 57 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 95 | 61 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 59 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Sep | 91 | 55 | 0.3 | Hot |
| Oct | 80 | 47 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 65 | 40 | 2.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 57 | 36 | 5.0 | Workable |
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 $5,100 to $7,200 for Chico, CA is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Chico, CA: 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 Chico: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Chico?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,550 to $8,800 in the Chico area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,100 to $7,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Chico?
About $5.80 to $14.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $200 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $12.
+Is asphalt driveway cheaper in Chico or Sacramento?
Sacramento is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $6,400, which is 4% more than Chico ($6,150). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chico?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $2,900 out of $6,150. Materials are 51% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Chico?
$3,550 to $8,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Chico?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $200 for fees in the Chico area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Chico expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of California?
Chico is 3% below the California statewide estimate ($6,350 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Chico?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $39.97 an hour, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $30.90 to $60.89.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Chico?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,550 to $5,650 and premium work $6,700 to $8,800. 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 Chico?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through June. May and June 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 Chico?
$730 to $1,450 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Chico
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.