Concrete driveway cost in Modesto, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $4,450 – $11,500
- Per sq ft
- $7.35 – $19
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +24%
- US $6,450
- Rank of 300 metros
- #8
- 1 = most expensive
Modesto homeowners pay roughly $4,450 to $11,500 to pour a concrete driveway at 600 sq ft, or $7.35 to $19 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Modesto is 24% higher. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $36.78 an hour in the Modesto area, 34% above the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Modesto, CA, standard level
$6,550 to $9,400
About $11 to $15.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 73% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,750 | $2,200 |
| Labor | $4,700 | $7,050 |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $160 |
| Total | $6,550 | $9,400 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Modesto, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,450 | $2,000 | $2,500 | 25% |
| Labor | $2,950 | $5,850 | $8,800 | 73% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $130 | $210 | 2% |
| Total | $4,450 | $8,000 | $11,500 | 100% |
Why Modesto prices look the way they do
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 $36.78 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Modesto is 1.33 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 73% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Modesto metro is 105.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 600 sq ft comes to $2,000, compared with $1,900 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (104.1) and land at $50 to $210.
Is Modesto cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 600 sq ft range from $6,800 to $8,450 across Modesto and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto, CAthis page | $4,450 – $11,500 | $8,000 | |
| Stockton, CA30 miles | $3,950 – $10,100 | $7,000 | −12% |
| Merced, CA30 miles | $3,850 – $9,750 | $6,800 | −15% |
| San Jose, CA50 miles | $4,700 – $12,200 | $8,450 | +6% |
| Santa Cruz, CA65 miles | $4,050 – $10,400 | $7,200 | −10% |
| Vallejo, CA70 miles | $4,200 – $10,800 | $7,500 | −6% |
| California (statewide) | $4,200 – $10,700 | $7,450 | −7% |
| United States | $3,650 – $9,200 | $6,450 | −20% |
Across 300 US metros, Modesto comes in at #8 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $10,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $4,950 (midpoints, 600 sq ft). Statewide, Modesto is 7% above the California figure.
Other California metros
| 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 | +9% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $4,000 – $10,200 | $7,100 | −11% |
| 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 | +6% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $4,150 – $10,600 | $7,350 | −8% |
Cities with a workforce like Modesto's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Modesto against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | −32% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $3,250 – $8,150 | $5,700 | −29% |
| Manchester, NH | 199,560 jobs | $3,650 – $9,200 | $6,400 | −20% |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $3,700 – $9,450 | $6,600 | −18% |
Optional extras in Modesto
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Modesto by the average of the local wage index (1.33) and goods index (1.05), a factor of 1.19. 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 rebar reinforcement | $710 – $2,150 |
| Remove the old driveway | $1,450 – $4,300 |
When to schedule concrete driveway in Modesto
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Modesto City Co Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
February through May and September through November are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Modesto (7 of 12 months). January and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below; June, July and August 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 June, July and August, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Modesto gets about 12 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (2.6 inches in January). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 0.1 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 90 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 | 56 | 39 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 62 | 42 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 45 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 48 | 1.0 | Workable |
| May | 82 | 54 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 59 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 95 | 63 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 62 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 59 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 79 | 52 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 66 | 43 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 56 | 39 | 2.2 | Cold |
Pick a size, pick a tier: concrete driveway pricing in Modesto
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Modesto 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
$4,450 to $7,300
Plain gray, 4-inch broom finish, flat site
Standard
$6,550 to $9,400
5-inch with rebar and saw-cut joints, a border or one color
Premium
$8,700 to $11,500
6-inch for heavy vehicles, stamped or colored, grading needed
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,800 – $3,000 | $2,700 – $3,850 | $3,550 – $4,750 |
| 2-car (20x24), 480 sq ft | $3,550 – $5,850 | $5,300 – $7,550 | $7,000 – $9,250 |
| 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) | $4,450 – $7,300 | $6,550 – $9,400 | $8,700 – $11,500 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $6,650 – $10,900 | $9,800 – $14,000 | $13,000 – $17,200 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Modesto bid
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).
Permits and the apron
A driveway permit is typically $50-$200 and is often required for new work. The apron where the driveway meets the street can need a separate right-of-way permit.
Thickness
HomeGuide prices a standard 4-inch driveway at $6-$15/sq ft and a 6-inch one, recommended for heavy vehicles, at $8-$20/sq ft.
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 4 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Modesto is 1.33 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $36.78 an hour, which is 34% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $28.19 and $48.46 an hour. BLS counts 350 of them working in the area, 17.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $29.15 an hour, 29% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.89 and $38.02 an hour. About 1,070 work in the metro. That is 54.8 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 10%) the local median is $43.54 an hour, which is 51% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $32.57 and $62.15 an hour. BLS counts 430 of them working in the area, 22.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 10%) the local median is $35.45 an hour, which is 22% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.52 and $40.15 an hour. BLS counts 1,430 of them working in the area, 73.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the cement masons and concrete finishers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($48.46 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $940. At the 25th percentile ($28.19) it shrinks by about $690. The total moves by 11.8% or 8.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 195,230 jobs in the Modesto area. That makes it the 117th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.13% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $28.19 | $36.78 | $48.46 | $27.41 | 1.34 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.89 | $29.15 | $38.02 | $22.66 | 1.29 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $32.57 | $43.54 | $62.15 | $28.78 | 1.51 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $28.52 | $35.45 | $40.15 | $29.12 | 1.22 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.33 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Modesto
Because every project leans on different trades, Modesto's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gravel driveway runs +22% and paver patio +15%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,650 – $9,100 | +22% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $3,100 – $12,500 | +22% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,900 – $6,000 | +17% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,800 – $9,500 | +19% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,450 – $6,250 | +15% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,450 – $4,850 | +19% |
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 $6,550 to $9,400 for Modesto, CA is attached.
Detailed concrete driveway report for Modesto, CA, $9
Multi-page report for Modesto, 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 Modesto: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete driveway in Modesto?
For 600 sq ft, expect $4,450 to $11,500 in the Modesto area. A standard-spec job lands at $6,550 to $9,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete driveway in Modesto?
About $7.35 to $19 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $210 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $15.
+Is concrete driveway cheaper in Modesto or Stockton?
Stockton is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $7,000, which is 12% less than Modesto ($8,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Modesto?
About 73% at the midpoint, or $5,850 out of $8,000. Materials are 25% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 69%.
+What would 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) cost in Modesto?
$4,450 to $11,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete driveway need a permit in Modesto?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $210 for fees in the Modesto area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Modesto expensive for concrete driveway compared with the rest of California?
Modesto is 7% above 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 Modesto?
The BLS median is $36.78 an hour in the Modesto area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.19 to $48.46.
+What do basic and premium concrete driveway work cost in Modesto?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $4,450 to $7,300 and premium work $8,700 to $11,500. 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 Modesto?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through May and September through November. 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 rebar reinforcement" add in Modesto?
$710 to $2,150 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete driveway near Modesto
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.