Asphalt driveway cost in Cleveland, OH
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,100 – $7,700
- Per sq ft
- $5.10 – $12.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $5,250
- Rank of 300 metros
- #91
- 1 = most expensive
Cleveland homeowners pay roughly $3,100 to $7,700 to pave a driveway at 600 sq ft, or $5.10 to $12.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Cleveland is 3% higher. Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn a median of $29.00 an hour in the Cleveland area, 13% above the US median of $25.64.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Cleveland, OH, standard level
$4,500 to $6,300
About $7.30 to $10.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,400 | $3,150 |
| Labor | $2,000 | $3,050 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $150 |
| Total | $4,500 | $6,300 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Cleveland, OH
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,850 | $2,800 | $3,700 | 51% |
| Labor | $1,200 | $2,500 | $3,800 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $120 | $190 | 2% |
| Total | $3,100 | $5,400 | $7,700 | 100% |
Where the Cleveland price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators, who do 40% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $29.00 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Cleveland is 1.18 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 46% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Cleveland metro is 93.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 600 sq ft comes to $2,800, compared with $2,950 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (93.9) and land at $45 to $190.
Optional extras in Cleveland
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Cleveland by the average of the local wage index (1.18) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 1.06. 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 | $630 – $1,250 |
Asphalt driveway: what moves the price in Cleveland
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.
Cleveland: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Cleveland 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
$3,100 to $4,950
New topcoat over a sound base, flat lot
Standard
$4,500 to $6,300
Full new driveway: base, 2-3 in of hot mix, edging
Premium
$5,850 to $7,700
Full tear-out and rebuild, drainage work, heavy-duty depth
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,250 – $2,050 | $1,850 – $2,600 | $2,400 – $3,200 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,100 – $3,350 | $3,000 – $4,250 | $3,950 – $5,200 |
| 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft | $3,100 – $4,950 | $4,500 – $6,300 | $5,850 – $7,700 |
| long rural (10x100), 1,000 sq ft | $5,150 – $8,150 | $7,400 – $10,400 | $9,700 – $12,700 |
When to schedule asphalt driveway in Cleveland
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Cleveland Burke Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through November is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Cleveland (8 of 12 months). January, February, March and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March and December the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 91 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Cleveland gets about 33 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, July and August (3.7 inches in July). Inside the workable window, June and November are the driest, at 2.8 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 9 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 | 35 | 24 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 25 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 45 | 31 | 2.4 | Cold |
| Apr | 57 | 41 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 68 | 53 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 63 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 68 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 67 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 60 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 49 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 38 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 40 | 30 | 2.0 | Cold |
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Cleveland is 1.18 times the national level.
For paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071, weighted 40%) the local median is $29.00 an hour, which is 13% above the national $25.64. The middle half of them earn between $23.67 and $38.90 an hour. BLS counts 370 of them working in the area, 3.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $27.49 an hour, 21% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.57 and $34.86 an hour. About 5,660 work in the metro. That is 54.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $34.49 an hour, which is 20% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $27.73 and $45.63 an hour. BLS counts 2,660 of them working in the area, 25.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner 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 ($38.90 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $330. At the 25th percentile ($23.67) it shrinks by about $180. The total moves by 6.1% or 3.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,031,130 jobs in the Cleveland area. That makes it the 36th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.66% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators (47-2071) | 40% | $23.67 | $29.00 | $38.90 | $25.64 | 1.13 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.57 | $27.49 | $34.86 | $22.66 | 1.21 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $27.73 | $34.49 | $45.63 | $28.78 | 1.20 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.18 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Cleveland?
Because every project leans on different trades, Cleveland's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +12% and concrete slab +3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,900 – $10,100 | +9% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,700 – $10,900 | +7% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,250 – $5,900 | +8% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $670 – $2,350 | +12% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,550 – $5,300 | +3% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,250 | +5% |
Cleveland against nearby metros and the rest of Ohio
Same job, same size (600 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Cleveland is the priciest of the group. Canton is the cheapest at $5,250.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OHthis page | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | |
| Akron, OH35 miles | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | level |
| Youngstown, OH45 miles | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,400 | level |
| Canton, OH65 miles | $3,000 – $7,450 | $5,250 | −3% |
| Erie, PA75 miles | $3,050 – $7,450 | $5,250 | −3% |
| Pittsburgh, PA115 miles | $3,050 – $7,450 | $5,250 | −3% |
| Ohio (statewide) | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | −2% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,250 | −3% |
Across 300 US metros, Cleveland comes in at #91 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, Cleveland is 2% above the Ohio figure.
Other Ohio metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | 1,105,580 jobs | $3,200 – $7,950 | $5,550 | +3% |
| Cincinnati, OH | 1,101,030 jobs | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,350 | −1% |
| Dayton, OH | 372,660 jobs | $2,950 – $7,250 | $5,100 | −5% |
| Akron, OH | 319,560 jobs | $3,100 – $7,700 | $5,400 | level |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $3,000 – $7,400 | $5,200 | −4% |
| Canton, OH | 163,080 jobs | $3,000 – $7,450 | $5,250 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like Cleveland's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Cleveland against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $3,650 – $9,150 | $6,400 | +18% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 826,210 jobs | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,300 | −2% |
| Kansas City, MO | 1,096,110 jobs | $3,050 – $7,600 | $5,350 | −1% |
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $3,300 – $8,400 | $5,850 | +9% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Asphalt driveway in Cleveland: your questions
+How much does it cost to pave a driveway in Cleveland?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,100 to $7,700 in the Cleveland area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,500 to $6,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for asphalt driveway in Cleveland?
About $5.10 to $12.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $190 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $5 to $12.
+Is asphalt driveway cheaper in Cleveland or Akron?
Akron is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $5,400, which is 0% less than Cleveland ($5,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Cleveland?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $2,500 out of $5,400. Materials are 51% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 41%.
+What would 2-car (20x30), 600 sq ft cost in Cleveland?
$3,100 to $7,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does asphalt driveway need a permit in Cleveland?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $190 for fees in the Cleveland area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Cleveland expensive for asphalt driveway compared with the rest of Ohio?
Cleveland is 2% above the Ohio statewide estimate ($5,300 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Ohio; see the state page to compare them.
+What do paving, surfacing and tamping equipment operators earn in Cleveland?
The BLS median is $29.00 an hour in the Cleveland area, compared with $25.64 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.67 to $38.90.
+What do basic and premium asphalt driveway work cost in Cleveland?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,100 to $4,950 and premium work $5,850 to $7,700. 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 Cleveland?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. June and November 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 Cleveland?
$630 to $1,250 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Asphalt driveway near Cleveland
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.