Composite deck cost in McAllen, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $9,550 – $19,100
- Per sq ft
- $31.50 – $63.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −21%
- US $18,100
- Rank of 300 metros
- #297
- 1 = most expensive
A composite deck in McAllen, TX usually costs $9,550 to $19,100 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $31.50 to $63.50 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $3,750 less. Carpenters earn a median of $19.97 an hour in the McAllen area, 31% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in McAllen, TX, standard level
$12,400 to $16,300
About $41 to $54 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,850 | $7,650 |
| Labor | $6,500 | $8,500 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $100 |
| Total | $12,400 | $16,300 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in McAllen, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,500 | $6,750 | $9,000 | 47% |
| Labor | $5,000 | $7,500 | $10,000 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $85 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $9,550 | $14,300 | $19,100 | 100% |
What is behind the McAllen number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $19.97 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for McAllen is 0.69 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 52% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. McAllen is at 93.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $7,200 nationally becomes $6,750 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 85.9: $45 to $130.
Planning more than one job in McAllen?
Jobs that often go together with composite deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same McAllen wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gutters comes out highest (−13%) and concrete patio lowest (−20%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,250 – $12,600 | −17% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,050 – $3,150 | −20% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,550 – $4,600 | −16% |
| Gutters | 160 linear ft | $1,100 – $3,650 | −13% |
Add-ons priced for McAllen
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.82 for McAllen, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.69) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add a deck railing (approx. 0.3 ft per sq ft) | $1,450 – $4,400 |
What local crews earn in McAllen
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 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 McAllen the blend is 0.69.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $19.97 an hour, 31% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $17.40 and $21.94 an hour. About 310 work in the metro. That is 10.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $16.57 an hour, which is 27% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $14.08 and $18.08 an hour. BLS counts 1,360 of them working in the area, 45.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $580 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $760. That is a swing of roughly 5.3% to 4.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission has 296,700 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 86th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $17.40 | $19.97 | $21.94 | $29.12 | 0.69 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $14.08 | $16.57 | $18.08 | $22.66 | 0.73 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.69 | |||||
McAllen weather and the composite deck calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Mcallen Miller Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in McAllen are October through April: 7 of 12. Outside them, May, June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
McAllen gets about 22 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (4.6 inches in September). Inside the workable window, January and February are the driest, at 0.8 and 0.7 inches. The station averages about 177 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 | 73 | 53 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 77 | 57 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Mar | 83 | 63 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 88 | 68 | 1.4 | Workable |
| May | 93 | 74 | 2.0 | Hot |
| Jun | 97 | 78 | 3.0 | Hot |
| Jul | 99 | 79 | 2.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 100 | 79 | 1.8 | Hot |
| Sep | 94 | 76 | 4.6 | Hot |
| Oct | 89 | 69 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 80 | 60 | 1.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 74 | 54 | 1.1 | Workable |
Pick a size, pick a tier: composite deck pricing in McAllen
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to McAllen. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 10x12 (120 sq ft) to 20x20 (400 sq ft).
Basic
$9,550 to $13,400
Entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape
Standard
$12,400 to $16,300
Mid-grade capped boards with railing and stairs
Premium
$15,300 to $19,100
Premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $3,850 – $5,400 | $5,000 – $6,550 | $6,200 – $7,750 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $4,600 – $6,450 | $6,000 – $7,850 | $7,400 – $9,250 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $10,200 – $14,300 | $13,200 – $17,300 | $16,300 – $20,400 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $12,700 – $17,800 | $16,500 – $21,600 | $20,400 – $25,500 |
How McAllen compares
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Austin is the priciest of the group at $16,000. Brownsville is the cheapest at $13,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| McAllen, TXthis page | $9,550 – $19,100 | $14,300 | |
| Brownsville, TX50 miles | $9,000 – $18,100 | $13,500 | −6% |
| Corpus Christi, TX115 miles | $10,300 – $20,700 | $15,500 | +8% |
| Laredo, TX120 miles | $9,500 – $19,100 | $14,300 | level |
| San Antonio, TX210 miles | $10,400 – $20,900 | $15,600 | +9% |
| Austin, TX270 miles | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,000 | +12% |
| Texas (statewide) | $10,600 – $21,300 | $16,000 | +12% |
| United States | $12,100 – $24,200 | $18,100 | +26% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, McAllen ranks #297 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, McAllen is 10% below the Texas figure.
Elsewhere in Texas
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $11,000 – $22,000 | $16,500 | +15% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $10,900 – $21,800 | $16,300 | +14% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $10,700 – $21,400 | $16,000 | +12% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $10,400 – $20,900 | $15,600 | +9% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $9,650 – $19,400 | $14,500 | +1% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $10,300 – $20,700 | $15,500 | +8% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is McAllen against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse, NY | 300,130 jobs | $12,300 – $24,600 | $18,400 | +28% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $11,900 – $23,800 | $17,900 | +25% |
| Provo, UT | 304,660 jobs | $11,200 – $22,400 | $16,800 | +17% |
| Stockton, CA | 289,660 jobs | $13,400 – $26,900 | $20,200 | +41% |
Why two McAllen quotes can differ
Labor
Labor for composite is $24-$48 per sq ft, higher than wood because the boards need extra parts and more careful assembly.
Drainage
Ground-level decks over poorly draining yards may need $1,000-$4,000 of drainage work first.
Engineering
Large or complex decks may need a structural engineer at $100-$220 an hour to get a permit.
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 $12,400 to $16,300 for McAllen, TX is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for McAllen, TX: 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.
Composite deck in McAllen: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a composite deck in McAllen?
For 300 sq ft, expect $9,550 to $19,100 in the McAllen area. A standard-spec job lands at $12,400 to $16,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for composite deck in McAllen?
About $31.50 to $63.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $130 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $40 to $80.
+Is composite deck cheaper in McAllen or Brownsville?
Brownsville is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $13,500, which is 6% less than McAllen ($14,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in McAllen?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $7,500 out of $14,300. Materials are 47% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in McAllen?
$10,200 to $20,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does composite deck need a permit in McAllen?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $130 for fees in the McAllen area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is McAllen expensive for composite deck compared with the rest of Texas?
McAllen is 10% below the Texas statewide estimate ($16,000 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in McAllen?
The BLS median is $19.97 an hour in the McAllen area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.40 to $21.94.
+What do basic and premium composite deck work cost in McAllen?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $9,550 to $13,400 and premium work $15,300 to $19,100. Basic means: entry-level composite boards, low deck, simple shape. Premium means: premium capped or PVC boards, multi-level, hidden fasteners.
+When is the best time to build a composite deck in McAllen?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through April. January and February 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 deck railing" add in McAllen?
$1,450 to $4,400 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Composite deck near McAllen
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 Composite Decking Cost? (2026) (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