Concrete driveway cost in Charleston, SC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,400 – $8,500
- Per sq ft
- $5.55 – $14
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −7%
- US $6,450
- Rank of 300 metros
- #179
- 1 = most expensive
Charleston homeowners pay roughly $3,400 to $8,500 to pour a concrete driveway at 600 sq ft, or $5.55 to $14 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Charleston is 7% lower. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $25.27 an hour in the Charleston area, 8% below the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Charleston, SC, standard level
$4,900 to $6,950
About $8.05 to $11.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 67% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,600 | $2,000 |
| Labor | $3,200 | $4,800 |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $160 |
| Total | $4,900 | $6,950 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Charleston, SC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,350 | $1,800 | $2,300 | 31% |
| Labor | $2,000 | $4,000 | $6,000 | 67% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $130 | $200 | 2% |
| Total | $3,400 | $5,950 | $8,500 | 100% |
Where the Charleston price comes from
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 $25.27 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Charleston is 0.91 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 67% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Charleston 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 (101.0) and land at $50 to $200.
Pick a size, pick a tier: concrete driveway pricing in Charleston
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Charleston 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
$3,400 to $5,450
Plain gray, 4-inch broom finish, flat site
Standard
$4,900 to $6,950
5-inch with rebar and saw-cut joints, a border or one color
Premium
$6,450 to $8,500
6-inch for heavy vehicles, stamped or colored, grading needed
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,400 – $2,250 | $2,050 – $2,900 | $2,650 – $3,500 |
| 2-car (20x24), 480 sq ft | $2,700 – $4,350 | $3,950 – $5,600 | $5,200 – $6,850 |
| 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) | $3,400 – $5,450 | $4,900 – $6,950 | $6,450 – $8,500 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $5,050 – $8,100 | $7,350 – $10,400 | $9,600 – $12,600 |
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 Charleston is 0.91 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $25.27 an hour, which is 8% below the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $22.52 and $30.36 an hour. BLS counts 300 of them working in the area, 7.6 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 $20.98 an hour, 7% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.00 and $24.49 an hour. About 3,710 work in the metro. That is 94.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 10%) the local median is $24.35 an hour, which is 15% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $23.39 and $29.69 an hour. BLS counts 1,470 of them working in the area, 37.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 10%) the local median is $24.22 an hour, which is 17% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.37 and $29.52 an hour. BLS counts 1,240 of them working in the area, 31.5 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 ($30.36 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $410. At the 25th percentile ($22.52) it shrinks by about $220. The total moves by 6.9% or 3.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 394,170 jobs in the Charleston-North Charleston area. That makes it the 66th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.25% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $22.52 | $25.27 | $30.36 | $27.41 | 0.92 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $18.00 | $20.98 | $24.49 | $22.66 | 0.93 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $23.39 | $24.35 | $29.69 | $28.78 | 0.85 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $21.37 | $24.22 | $29.52 | $29.12 | 0.83 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.91 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Charleston
Because every project leans on different trades, Charleston's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete slab runs −6% and asphalt driveway −9%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,800 – $6,700 | −9% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,450 | −7% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,300 – $4,900 | −6% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,050 – $7,500 | −6% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,750 – $5,050 | −8% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,750 | −6% |
Why two Charleston quotes can differ
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).
Charleston against nearby metros and the rest of South Carolina
Same job, same size (600 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Charleston is the priciest of the group. Savannah is the cheapest at $5,450.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SCthis page | $3,400 – $8,500 | $5,950 | |
| Hilton Head, SC65 miles | $3,350 – $8,400 | $5,850 | −1% |
| Florence, SC80 miles | $3,300 – $8,150 | $5,700 | −4% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC85 miles | $3,150 – $7,800 | $5,500 | −8% |
| Columbia, SC95 miles | $3,300 – $8,300 | $5,800 | −2% |
| Savannah, GA95 miles | $3,150 – $7,750 | $5,450 | −8% |
| South Carolina (statewide) | $3,300 – $8,250 | $5,800 | −3% |
| United States | $3,650 – $9,200 | $6,450 | +8% |
Across 300 US metros, Charleston comes in at #179 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $10,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $4,950 (midpoints, 600 sq ft). Statewide, Charleston is 3% above the South Carolina figure.
Other South Carolina metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $3,350 – $8,350 | $5,850 | −1% |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $3,300 – $8,300 | $5,800 | −2% |
| Spartanburg, SC | 165,150 jobs | $3,300 – $8,150 | $5,700 | −4% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $3,150 – $7,800 | $5,500 | −8% |
| Florence, SC | 89,060 jobs | $3,300 – $8,150 | $5,700 | −4% |
| Hilton Head, SC | 81,920 jobs | $3,350 – $8,400 | $5,850 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Charleston's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Charleston against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $3,300 – $8,300 | $5,800 | −2% |
| Boise, ID | 391,790 jobs | $3,550 – $8,950 | $6,250 | +5% |
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $3,650 – $9,350 | $6,500 | +9% |
| Tucson, AZ | 389,630 jobs | $3,550 – $8,900 | $6,200 | +5% |
Optional extras in Charleston
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Charleston by the average of the local wage index (0.91) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.93. 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 | $560 – $1,700 |
| Remove the old driveway | $1,100 – $3,350 |
When to schedule concrete driveway in Charleston
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Charleston City (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
Weather is not a serious constraint for pouring concrete in Charleston: 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.
Charleston gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are July, August and September (6.1 inches in August). The station averages about 25 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 | 58 | 44 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Feb | 60 | 46 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Mar | 66 | 52 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 72 | 60 | 3.0 | Workable |
| May | 79 | 68 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 74 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 88 | 77 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 77 | 6.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 83 | 73 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Oct | 76 | 63 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 67 | 53 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 61 | 47 | 2.9 | Workable |
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 $4,900 to $6,950 for Charleston, SC is attached.
Detailed concrete driveway report for Charleston, SC, $9
Multi-page report for Charleston, SC: 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 Charleston: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete driveway in Charleston?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,400 to $8,500 in the Charleston area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,900 to $6,950. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete driveway in Charleston?
About $5.55 to $14 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 Charleston or Hilton Head?
Hilton Head is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $5,850, which is 1% less than Charleston ($5,950). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Charleston?
About 67% at the midpoint, or $4,000 out of $5,950. Materials are 31% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 69%.
+What would 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) cost in Charleston?
$3,400 to $8,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete driveway need a permit in Charleston?
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 Charleston area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Charleston expensive for concrete driveway compared with the rest of South Carolina?
Charleston is 3% above the South Carolina statewide estimate ($5,800 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in South Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Charleston?
The BLS median is $25.27 an hour in the Charleston area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.52 to $30.36.
+What do basic and premium concrete driveway work cost in Charleston?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,400 to $5,450 and premium work $6,450 to $8,500. 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 Charleston?
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 Charleston?
$560 to $1,700 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete driveway near Charleston
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.