Concrete driveway cost in Athens, GA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,150 – $7,700
- Per sq ft
- $5.15 – $12.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −16%
- US $6,450
- Rank of 300 metros
- #274
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pour a concrete driveway in Athens, plan on $3,150 to $7,700 for 600 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $5.15 to $12.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 16% lower than the national one. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $22.23 an hour in the Athens area, 19% below the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Athens, GA, standard level
$4,500 to $6,350
About $7.35 to $10.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 64% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,600 | $2,000 |
| Labor | $2,800 | $4,150 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $140 |
| Total | $4,500 | $6,350 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Athens, GA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,350 | $1,800 | $2,300 | 34% |
| Labor | $1,750 | $3,500 | $5,200 | 64% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $120 | $190 | 2% |
| Total | $3,150 | $5,400 | $7,700 | 100% |
What is behind the Athens 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 $22.23 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Athens is 0.79 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 64% of the total. BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Georgia statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Athens metro is 96.3 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 600 sq ft comes to $1,800, compared with $1,900 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (93.3) and land at $45 to $190.
Data note: 50% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Athens. The wage table below marks each row.
Athens against nearby metros and the rest of Georgia
Same job, same size (600 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Greenville is the priciest of the group at $5,850. Macon is the cheapest at $5,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, GAthis page | $3,150 – $7,700 | $5,400 | |
| Gainesville, GA45 miles | $3,150 – $7,800 | $5,500 | +1% |
| Greenville, SC70 miles | $3,350 – $8,350 | $5,850 | +8% |
| Atlanta, GA70 miles | $3,300 – $8,200 | $5,750 | +6% |
| Augusta, GA80 miles | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | +3% |
| Macon, GA80 miles | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,400 | −1% |
| Georgia (statewide) | $3,200 – $7,950 | $5,600 | +3% |
| United States | $3,650 – $9,200 | $6,450 | +19% |
Across 300 US metros, Athens comes in at #274 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $10,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $4,950 (midpoints, 600 sq ft). Statewide, Athens is 3% below the Georgia figure.
Other Georgia metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $3,300 – $8,200 | $5,750 | +6% |
| Augusta, GA | 231,930 jobs | $3,200 – $8,000 | $5,600 | +3% |
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | +1% |
| Columbus, GA | 116,380 jobs | $3,050 – $7,450 | $5,250 | −3% |
| Gainesville, GA | 103,870 jobs | $3,150 – $7,800 | $5,500 | +1% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,400 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Athens's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Athens against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $4,400 – $11,300 | $7,850 | +45% |
| Fort Smith, AR | 95,560 jobs | $2,900 – $7,150 | $5,050 | −7% |
| Binghamton, NY | 97,030 jobs | $3,800 – $9,650 | $6,750 | +24% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,400 | −1% |
Athens 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 Athens is 0.79 times the national level.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) carry 50% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Athens metro, so we used the Georgia statewide median: $22.23 an hour against $27.41 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.28 and $26.98 an hour.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $17.85 an hour, 21% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.56 and $23.50 an hour. About 420 work in the metro. That is 43.8 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 $21.30 an hour, which is 26% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $18.67 and $22.31 an hour. BLS counts 230 of them working in the area, 24.0 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 $21.51 an hour, which is 26% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $17.97 and $25.72 an hour. BLS counts 100 of them working in the area, 10.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner 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 ($26.98 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $380. At the 25th percentile ($18.28) it shrinks by about $320. The total moves by 7.1% or 5.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 95,800 jobs in the Athens-Clarke County area. That makes it the 209th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.06% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $18.28 | $22.23 | $26.98 | $27.41 | 0.81 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $16.56 | $17.85 | $23.50 | $22.66 | 0.79 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $18.67 | $21.30 | $22.31 | $28.78 | 0.74 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $17.97 | $21.51 | $25.72 | $29.12 | 0.74 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.79 | |||||
Why two Athens quotes can differ
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).
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.
Climate in Athens: timing your concrete driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Athens Ben Epps Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through June and September through November are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Athens (7 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below; 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 July and August, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Athens gets about 49 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, August and December (4.9 inches in June). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 62 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 | 55 | 34 | 4.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 59 | 37 | 4.4 | Cold |
| Mar | 67 | 43 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 75 | 50 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 82 | 59 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 67 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 92 | 70 | 4.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 69 | 4.5 | Hot |
| Sep | 85 | 63 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 75 | 52 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 65 | 42 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 57 | 36 | 4.4 | Cold |
Planning more than one job in Athens?
Because every project leans on different trades, Athens's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, asphalt driveway runs −10% and gravel driveway −14%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,750 – $6,600 | −10% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,150 – $8,800 | −14% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,150 – $4,650 | −11% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $2,900 – $7,000 | −12% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,750 | −12% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,450 | −13% |
Add-ons priced for Athens
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Athens by the average of the local wage index (0.79) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.88. 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 | $530 – $1,600 |
| Remove the old driveway | $1,050 – $3,150 |
Athens: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Athens 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
$3,150 to $4,950
Plain gray, 4-inch broom finish, flat site
Standard
$4,500 to $6,350
5-inch with rebar and saw-cut joints, a border or one color
Premium
$5,900 to $7,700
6-inch for heavy vehicles, stamped or colored, grading needed
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,300 – $2,050 | $1,850 – $2,600 | $2,450 – $3,200 |
| 2-car (20x24), 480 sq ft | $2,500 – $4,000 | $3,600 – $5,100 | $4,750 – $6,200 |
| 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) | $3,150 – $4,950 | $4,500 – $6,350 | $5,900 – $7,700 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $4,650 – $7,400 | $6,700 – $9,450 | $8,750 – $11,500 |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed concrete driveway report for Athens, GA, $9
Multi-page report for Athens, GA: 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 Athens: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete driveway in Athens?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,150 to $7,700 in the Athens area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,500 to $6,350. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete driveway in Athens?
About $5.15 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 $6 to $15.
+Is concrete driveway cheaper in Athens or Gainesville?
Gainesville is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $5,500, which is 1% more than Athens ($5,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Athens?
About 64% at the midpoint, or $3,500 out of $5,400. Materials are 34% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 69%.
+What would 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) cost in Athens?
$3,150 to $7,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete driveway need a permit in Athens?
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 Athens area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Athens expensive for concrete driveway compared with the rest of Georgia?
Athens is 3% below the Georgia statewide estimate ($5,600 at the midpoint). We cover 10 metros in Georgia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Athens?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $22.23 an hour, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.28 to $26.98.
+What do basic and premium concrete driveway work cost in Athens?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,150 to $4,950 and premium work $5,900 to $7,700. 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 Athens?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and September through November. May 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 Athens?
$530 to $1,600 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete driveway near Athens
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.