Concrete driveway cost in Boston, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $4,100 – $10,600
- Per sq ft
- $6.75 – $17.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +14%
- US $6,450
- Rank of 300 metros
- #37
- 1 = most expensive
Boston homeowners pay roughly $4,100 to $10,600 to pour a concrete driveway at 600 sq ft, or $6.75 to $17.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Boston is 14% higher. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $30.23 an hour in the Boston area, 10% above the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Boston, MA, standard level
$6,050 to $8,650
About $9.90 to $14 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 73% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,700 | $2,100 |
| Labor | $4,250 | $6,400 |
| Permits and fees | $100 | $170 |
| Total | $6,050 | $8,650 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Boston, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,400 | $1,900 | $2,400 | 26% |
| Labor | $2,700 | $5,350 | $7,950 | 73% |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $140 | $220 | 2% |
| Total | $4,100 | $7,350 | $10,600 | 100% |
Where the Boston price comes from
Labor is 73% 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 Boston the blended ratio comes out at 1.21.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Boston metro is 99.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 600 sq ft comes to $1,900, compared with $1,900 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (108.3) and land at $55 to $220.
Specs and site conditions that change a Boston 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.
Boston: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Boston 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
$4,100 to $6,700
Plain gray, 4-inch broom finish, flat site
Standard
$6,050 to $8,650
5-inch with rebar and saw-cut joints, a border or one color
Premium
$8,000 to $10,600
6-inch for heavy vehicles, stamped or colored, grading needed
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,700 – $2,750 | $2,500 – $3,550 | $3,300 – $4,350 |
| 2-car (20x24), 480 sq ft | $3,300 – $5,400 | $4,850 – $6,950 | $6,400 – $8,500 |
| 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) | $4,100 – $6,700 | $6,050 – $8,650 | $8,000 – $10,600 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $6,150 – $10,000 | $9,050 – $12,900 | $11,900 – $15,800 |
When to schedule concrete driveway in Boston
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Boston Logan Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Boston (7 of 12 months). January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below.
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.
Boston gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 49 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, October and December (4.3 inches in December). Inside the workable window, May and August are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 14 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 | 37 | 23 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 39 | 25 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 31 | 4.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 41 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 50 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 60 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 66 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 65 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 58 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 48 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 52 | 38 | 3.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 42 | 29 | 4.3 | Cold |
Related projects, priced for Boston
Because every project leans on different trades, Boston's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs +24% and concrete slab +9%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,400 | +12% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,900 – $11,800 | +16% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,700 – $5,650 | +9% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,500 – $8,750 | +9% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,700 – $6,750 | +24% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,350 – $4,500 | +11% |
Is Boston cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Boston. Manchester is the lowest at about $6,400 (midpoint, 600 sq ft), 45 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MAthis page | $4,100 – $10,600 | $7,350 | |
| Manchester, NH45 miles | $3,650 – $9,200 | $6,400 | −13% |
| Worcester, MA50 miles | $4,050 – $10,500 | $7,250 | −1% |
| Providence, RI60 miles | $3,950 – $10,100 | $7,050 | −4% |
| Barnstable, MA70 miles | $4,000 – $10,300 | $7,150 | −2% |
| Portland, ME85 miles | $3,750 – $9,550 | $6,650 | −10% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $4,100 – $10,600 | $7,350 | level |
| United States | $3,650 – $9,200 | $6,450 | −13% |
Across 300 US metros, Boston comes in at #37 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $10,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $4,950 (midpoints, 600 sq ft). Statewide, Boston is 0% below the Massachusetts figure.
Other Massachusetts metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $4,050 – $10,500 | $7,250 | −1% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $4,050 – $10,500 | $7,250 | −1% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $4,000 – $10,300 | $7,150 | −2% |
| Amherst, MA | 65,670 jobs | $3,950 – $10,100 | $7,050 | −4% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $3,850 – $9,800 | $6,800 | −7% |
Cities with a workforce like Boston's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Boston against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami, FL | 2,819,940 jobs | $3,450 – $8,600 | $6,000 | −18% |
| Phoenix, AZ | 2,375,760 jobs | $3,650 – $9,250 | $6,450 | −12% |
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $3,300 – $8,200 | $5,750 | −22% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $4,850 – $12,600 | $8,750 | +19% |
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 Boston is 1.21 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $30.23 an hour, which is 10% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $26.87 and $37.47 an hour. BLS counts 950 of them working in the area, 3.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $30.49 an hour, 35% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $26.22 and $45.11 an hour. About 11,580 work in the metro. That is 42.8 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 $36.99 an hour, which is 29% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $30.11 and $55.00 an hour. BLS counts 6,370 of them working in the area, 23.6 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 $36.16 an hour, which is 24% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $29.26 and $47.47 an hour. BLS counts 12,720 of them working in the area, 47.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the cement masons and concrete finishers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($37.47 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $580. At the 25th percentile ($26.87) it shrinks by about $270. The total moves by 7.9% or 3.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 2,703,890 jobs in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton area. That makes it the 10th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 1.74% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $26.87 | $30.23 | $37.47 | $27.41 | 1.10 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $26.22 | $30.49 | $45.11 | $22.66 | 1.35 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $30.11 | $36.99 | $55.00 | $28.78 | 1.29 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $29.26 | $36.16 | $47.47 | $29.12 | 1.24 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.21 | |||||
Extras that change the Boston total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Boston by the average of the local wage index (1.21) and goods index (1.00), a factor of 1.10. 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 | $660 – $2,000 |
| Remove the old driveway | $1,300 – $3,950 |
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 $6,050 to $8,650 for Boston, MA is attached.
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Multi-page report for Boston, MA: 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 Boston: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete driveway in Boston?
For 600 sq ft, expect $4,100 to $10,600 in the Boston area. A standard-spec job lands at $6,050 to $8,650. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete driveway in Boston?
About $6.75 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 Boston or Manchester?
Manchester is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $6,400, which is 13% less than Boston ($7,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Boston?
About 73% at the midpoint, or $5,350 out of $7,350. Materials are 26% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 69%.
+What would 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) cost in Boston?
$4,100 to $10,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete driveway need a permit in Boston?
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 Boston area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Boston expensive for concrete driveway compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Boston is 0% below the Massachusetts statewide estimate ($7,350 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Massachusetts; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Boston?
The BLS median is $30.23 an hour in the Boston area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $26.87 to $37.47.
+What do basic and premium concrete driveway work cost in Boston?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $4,100 to $6,700 and premium work $8,000 to $10,600. 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 Boston?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. May and August 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 Boston?
$660 to $2,000 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete driveway near Boston
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.