Concrete driveway cost in San Diego, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $4,250 – $10,800
- Per sq ft
- $6.95 – $17.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +17%
- US $6,450
- Rank of 300 metros
- #26
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pour a concrete driveway in San Diego, plan on $4,250 to $10,800 for 600 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $6.95 to $17.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 17% higher than the national one. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $31.98 an hour in the San Diego area, 17% above the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in San Diego, CA, standard level
$6,200 to $8,800
About $10 to $14.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 71% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,800 | $2,250 |
| Labor | $4,250 | $6,400 |
| Permits and fees | $110 | $170 |
| Total | $6,200 | $8,800 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in San Diego, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,500 | $2,050 | $2,600 | 27% |
| Labor | $2,700 | $5,350 | $7,950 | 71% |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $140 | $220 | 2% |
| Total | $4,250 | $7,500 | $10,800 | 100% |
What is behind the San Diego number
Labor is 71% of the midpoint bill here, against 69% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is cement masons and concrete finishers (50%), construction laborers (30%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10%), carpenters (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In San Diego the blended ratio comes out at 1.21.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the San Diego metro is 108.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 600 sq ft comes to $2,050, compared with $1,900 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (111.9) and land at $55 to $220.
San Diego labor market for concrete driveway
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 San Diego is 1.21 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $31.98 an hour, which is 17% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $26.35 and $43.78 an hour. BLS counts 2,330 of them working in the area, 15.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is about 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 $23.31 and $34.32 an hour. About 8,850 work in the metro. That is 57.5 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 $40.23 an hour, which is 40% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $33.08 and $60.44 an hour. BLS counts 3,130 of them working in the area, 20.4 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 $35.19 an hour, which is 21% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.16 and $46.12 an hour. BLS counts 8,710 of them working in the area, 56.6 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 ($43.78 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $950. At the 25th percentile ($26.35) it shrinks by about $450. The total moves by 12.6% or 6.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,538,060 jobs in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area. That makes it the 18th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.99% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $26.35 | $31.98 | $43.78 | $27.41 | 1.17 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $23.31 | $27.49 | $34.32 | $22.66 | 1.21 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $33.08 | $40.23 | $60.44 | $28.78 | 1.40 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $28.16 | $35.19 | $46.12 | $29.12 | 1.21 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.21 | |||||
Climate in San Diego: timing your concrete driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for San Diego Montgomery Fld (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
Weather is not a serious constraint for pouring concrete in San Diego: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average overnight low of 40°F or below) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
San Diego gets about 11 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and March (2.6 inches in February). The station averages about 16 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 | 67 | 46 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Feb | 67 | 47 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Mar | 69 | 50 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 71 | 52 | 0.8 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 57 | 0.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 75 | 60 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 64 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 65 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 81 | 64 | 0.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 78 | 58 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 73 | 50 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 67 | 45 | 1.6 | Workable |
Optional extras in San Diego
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to San Diego by the average of the local wage index (1.21) and goods index (1.08), a factor of 1.14. 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 | $690 – $2,050 |
| Remove the old driveway | $1,350 – $4,100 |
Related projects, priced for San Diego
Because every project leans on different trades, San Diego's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gravel driveway runs +19% and paver patio +12%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,500 – $8,600 | +16% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $3,000 – $12,100 | +19% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,900 | +14% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,700 – $9,100 | +14% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,350 – $6,100 | +12% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,400 – $4,600 | +15% |
Why two San Diego quotes can differ
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.
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.
Cost by quality level and size in San Diego
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for San Diego 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
$4,250 to $6,850
Plain gray, 4-inch broom finish, flat site
Standard
$6,200 to $8,800
5-inch with rebar and saw-cut joints, a border or one color
Premium
$8,150 to $10,800
6-inch for heavy vehicles, stamped or colored, grading needed
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,700 – $2,800 | $2,550 – $3,650 | $3,350 – $4,450 |
| 2-car (20x24), 480 sq ft | $3,400 – $5,500 | $5,000 – $7,100 | $6,550 – $8,650 |
| 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) | $4,250 – $6,850 | $6,200 – $8,800 | $8,150 – $10,800 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $6,300 – $10,200 | $9,250 – $13,100 | $12,200 – $16,100 |
Is San Diego cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (600 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Los Angeles is the priciest of the group at $7,500. Yuma is the cheapest at $5,800.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CAthis page | $4,250 – $10,800 | $7,500 | |
| El Centro, CA80 miles | $3,800 – $9,600 | $6,700 | −11% |
| Los Angeles, CA110 miles | $4,200 – $10,800 | $7,500 | level |
| Riverside, CA110 miles | $4,000 – $10,200 | $7,100 | −5% |
| Oxnard, CA165 miles | $4,150 – $10,700 | $7,400 | −1% |
| Yuma, AZ165 miles | $3,300 – $8,250 | $5,800 | −23% |
| California (statewide) | $4,200 – $10,700 | $7,450 | −1% |
| United States | $3,650 – $9,200 | $6,450 | −14% |
Across 300 US metros, San Diego comes in at #26 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $10,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $4,950 (midpoints, 600 sq ft). Statewide, San Diego is 1% 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 | level |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $4,850 – $12,600 | $8,750 | +16% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $4,000 – $10,200 | $7,100 | −5% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $4,700 – $12,200 | $8,450 | +13% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $4,150 – $10,600 | $7,350 | −2% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $3,950 – $9,950 | $6,950 | −8% |
Cities with a workforce like San Diego's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is San Diego against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | 1,609,350 jobs | $3,800 – $9,700 | $6,750 | −10% |
| Tampa, FL | 1,447,120 jobs | $3,350 – $8,300 | $5,850 | −22% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $4,000 – $10,200 | $7,100 | −5% |
| Orlando, FL | 1,411,730 jobs | $3,250 – $8,100 | $5,700 | −24% |
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 $6,200 to $8,800 for San Diego, CA is attached.
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Concrete driveway in San Diego: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete driveway in San Diego?
For 600 sq ft, expect $4,250 to $10,800 in the San Diego area. A standard-spec job lands at $6,200 to $8,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete driveway in San Diego?
About $6.95 to $17.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $55 to $220 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $15.
+Is concrete driveway cheaper in San Diego or El Centro?
El Centro is 80 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $6,700, which is 11% less than San Diego ($7,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in San Diego?
About 71% at the midpoint, or $5,350 out of $7,500. Materials are 27% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 69%.
+What would 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) cost in San Diego?
$4,250 to $10,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete driveway need a permit in San Diego?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $55 to $220 for fees in the San Diego area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is San Diego expensive for concrete driveway compared with the rest of California?
San Diego is 1% 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 San Diego?
The BLS median is $31.98 an hour in the San Diego area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $26.35 to $43.78.
+What do basic and premium concrete driveway work cost in San Diego?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $4,250 to $6,850 and premium work $8,150 to $10,800. Basic means: plain gray, 4-inch broom finish, flat site. Premium means: 6-inch for heavy vehicles, stamped or colored, grading needed.
+Is there a bad season to pour a concrete driveway in San Diego?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
+What does "add rebar reinforcement" add in San Diego?
$690 to $2,050 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete driveway near San Diego
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.