Concrete driveway cost in Chico, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $4,000 – $10,100
- Per sq ft
- $6.60 – $16.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +10%
- US $6,450
- Rank of 300 metros
- #55
- 1 = most expensive
A concrete driveway in Chico, CA usually costs $4,000 to $10,100 for 600 sq ft. That works out to about $6.60 to $16.50 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $640 more. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $28.71 an hour in the Chico area, 5% above the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Chico, CA, standard level
$5,850 to $8,300
About $9.55 to $13.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 70% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,750 | $2,200 |
| Labor | $3,950 | $5,950 |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $160 |
| Total | $5,850 | $8,300 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Chico, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,450 | $2,000 | $2,500 | 28% |
| Labor | $2,500 | $4,950 | $7,400 | 70% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $130 | $200 | 2% |
| Total | $4,000 | $7,050 | $10,100 | 100% |
What is behind the Chico number
The wage side of the estimate leans on cement masons and concrete finishers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $28.71 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Chico is 1.12 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 70% of the total.
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 $1,900 nationally becomes $2,000 here (midpoint, 600 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 101.2: $50 to $200.
Related projects, priced for Chico
Jobs that often go together with concrete driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Chico wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, asphalt driveway comes out highest (+18%) and stamped concrete lowest (+8%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,550 – $8,800 | +18% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,850 – $11,700 | +14% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,650 – $5,600 | +8% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,500 – $8,600 | +8% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $6,000 | +11% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,350 – $4,350 | +9% |
Chico against nearby metros and the rest of California
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Chico. Redding comes closest at about $7,150.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chico, CAthis page | $4,000 – $10,100 | $7,050 | |
| Sacramento, CA70 miles | $4,150 – $10,600 | $7,350 | +4% |
| Redding, CA80 miles | $4,050 – $10,200 | $7,150 | +1% |
| Napa, CA90 miles | $4,400 – $11,400 | $7,900 | +12% |
| Vallejo, CA100 miles | $4,200 – $10,800 | $7,500 | +6% |
| Santa Rosa, CA105 miles | $4,250 – $10,900 | $7,550 | +7% |
| California (statewide) | $4,200 – $10,700 | $7,450 | +5% |
| United States | $3,650 – $9,200 | $6,450 | −9% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Chico ranks #55 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Chico is 5% below the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $4,200 – $10,800 | $7,500 | +6% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $4,850 – $12,600 | $8,750 | +24% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $4,000 – $10,200 | $7,100 | +1% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $4,250 – $10,800 | $7,500 | +6% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $4,700 – $12,200 | $8,450 | +20% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $4,150 – $10,600 | $7,350 | +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 | $3,850 – $9,750 | $6,800 | −4% |
| Napa, CA | 77,860 jobs | $4,400 – $11,400 | $7,900 | +12% |
| Saginaw, MI | 80,000 jobs | $3,600 – $9,150 | $6,350 | −10% |
| Racine, WI | 76,280 jobs | $3,900 – $10,100 | $7,000 | −1% |
What local crews earn in Chico
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 4 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 1.12.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 50% of the weighting: a median of $28.71 an hour, 5% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $24.32 and $37.49 an hour. About 150 work in the metro. That is 19.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
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), 10% 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.
Carpenters (47-2031), 10% of the weighting: a median of $34.75 an hour, 19% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.79 and $38.46 an hour. About 390 work in the metro. That is 49.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (cement masons and concrete finishers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $710 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $350. That is a swing of roughly 5.0% to 10.0% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $24.32 | $28.71 | $37.49 | $27.41 | 1.05 | metro |
| 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) | 10% | $30.40 | $38.00 | $59.81 | $28.78 | 1.32 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $24.79 | $34.75 | $38.46 | $29.12 | 1.19 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.12 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: concrete driveway pricing in Chico
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 3-car (900 sq ft).
Basic
$4,000 to $6,450
Plain gray, 4-inch broom finish, flat site
Standard
$5,850 to $8,300
5-inch with rebar and saw-cut joints, a border or one color
Premium
$7,700 to $10,100
6-inch for heavy vehicles, stamped or colored, grading needed
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,650 – $2,650 | $2,400 – $3,400 | $3,150 – $4,200 |
| 2-car (20x24), 480 sq ft | $3,200 – $5,200 | $4,700 – $6,650 | $6,150 – $8,150 |
| 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) | $4,000 – $6,450 | $5,850 – $8,300 | $7,700 – $10,100 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $5,950 – $9,650 | $8,700 – $12,400 | $11,500 – $15,100 |
Chico weather and the concrete driveway calendar
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 pouring concrete, the comfortable months in Chico are March through June and October: 5 of 12. Outside them, January, February, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below, and July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
The 40°F line is a deliberately cautious stand-in. The American Concrete Institute's cold-weather guide (ACI 306R-16) defines cold-weather concreting around an average daily air temperature below 40°F, which is colder than our test of an average overnight low at or below 40°F, so we flag a few extra shoulder months. In cold weather crews may need heated enclosures, insulating blankets or accelerated mixes, and those measures can raise a quote.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in July, August and September, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
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 | Cold |
| Feb | 62 | 38 | 5.1 | Cold |
| 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 | Cold |
| Dec | 57 | 36 | 5.0 | Cold |
Add-ons priced for Chico
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.09 for Chico, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.12) and goods price index (1.05). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add rebar reinforcement | $650 – $1,950 |
| Remove the old driveway | $1,300 – $3,900 |
Concrete driveway: what moves the price in Chico
Old driveway removal
Tearing out the old surface adds about $2-$6 per sq ft, and some cities want the haul-off documented.
Grading and drainage
Professional grading runs $3-$8 per sq ft or $700-$2,500 for a typical job. A sloped lot or poor soil raises it.
Finish
Decorative driveways run $10-$25 per sq ft installed: colors and borders at $10-$15, stamped patterns at $15-$20, and high-end finishes at $20-$25+ (HomeGuide).
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 $5,850 to $8,300 for Chico, CA is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $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.
Concrete driveway in Chico: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete driveway in Chico?
For 600 sq ft, expect $4,000 to $10,100 in the Chico area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,850 to $8,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete driveway in Chico?
About $6.60 to $16.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $200 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $15.
+Is concrete driveway cheaper in Chico or Sacramento?
Sacramento is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $7,350, which is 4% more than Chico ($7,050). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chico?
About 70% at the midpoint, or $4,950 out of $7,050. Materials are 28% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 69%.
+What would 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) cost in Chico?
$4,000 to $10,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete 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 concrete driveway compared with the rest of California?
Chico is 5% below the California statewide estimate ($7,450 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Chico?
The BLS median is $28.71 an hour in the Chico area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.32 to $37.49.
+What do basic and premium concrete driveway work cost in Chico?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $4,000 to $6,450 and premium work $7,700 to $10,100. Basic means: plain gray, 4-inch broom finish, flat site. Premium means: 6-inch for heavy vehicles, stamped or colored, grading needed.
+When is the best time to pour a concrete driveway in Chico?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and October. 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 rebar reinforcement" add in Chico?
$650 to $1,950 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete 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 a Concrete Driveway Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- SimplyWise: Concrete Estimate Template: Free PDF + Excel (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
Note on derived figures: Materials = SimplyWise's sample 600 sq ft, 4-inch driveway line ($1,400-$2,400 in materials) divided by 600 sq ft.