Concrete driveway cost in Brownsville, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,050 – $7,500
- Per sq ft
- $5 – $12
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −18%
- US $6,450
- Rank of 300 metros
- #289
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pour a concrete driveway in Brownsville, plan on $3,050 to $7,500 for 600 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $5 to $12 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 18% lower than the national one. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $22.84 an hour in the Brownsville area, 17% below the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Brownsville, TX, standard level
$4,350 to $6,150
About $7.15 to $10 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 64% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,600 | $1,950 |
| Labor | $2,700 | $4,050 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $130 |
| Total | $4,350 | $6,150 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Brownsville, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,300 | $1,750 | $2,250 | 34% |
| Labor | $1,700 | $3,400 | $5,050 | 64% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $110 | $170 | 2% |
| Total | $3,050 | $5,250 | $7,500 | 100% |
What is behind the Brownsville number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 4 trades: cement masons and concrete finishers at 50%, construction laborers at 30%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 10%, carpenters at 10%. Weighted together, Brownsville wages are 0.77 times the national level. Labor makes up about 64% of the midpoint estimate (69% at national prices). BLS does not publish this trade for the metro, so we used the Texas statewide median.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Brownsville metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 600 sq ft comes to $1,750, compared with $1,900 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (86.0) and land at $45 to $170.
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 Brownsville. The wage table below marks each row.
How Brownsville compares
Same job, same size (600 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Austin is the priciest of the group at $5,800. McAllen is the cheapest at $4,950.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brownsville, TXthis page | $3,050 – $7,500 | $5,250 | |
| McAllen, TX50 miles | $2,850 – $7,000 | $4,950 | −6% |
| Corpus Christi, TX125 miles | $3,250 – $8,150 | $5,700 | +8% |
| Laredo, TX160 miles | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | +1% |
| San Antonio, TX240 miles | $3,150 – $7,900 | $5,550 | +5% |
| Austin, TX285 miles | $3,300 – $8,250 | $5,800 | +10% |
| Texas (statewide) | $3,250 – $8,100 | $5,700 | +8% |
| United States | $3,650 – $9,200 | $6,450 | +22% |
Across 300 US metros, Brownsville comes in at #289 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $10,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $4,950 (midpoints, 600 sq ft). Statewide, Brownsville is 7% below the Texas figure.
Other Texas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $3,400 – $8,450 | $5,950 | +13% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $3,300 – $8,150 | $5,750 | +9% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $3,300 – $8,250 | $5,800 | +10% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $3,150 – $7,900 | $5,550 | +5% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $3,000 – $7,300 | $5,150 | −2% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $2,850 – $7,000 | $4,950 | −6% |
Cities with a workforce like Brownsville's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Brownsville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $3,850 – $9,700 | $6,750 | +29% |
| Hickory, NC | 154,090 jobs | $3,250 – $8,000 | $5,600 | +7% |
| Gulfport, MS | 158,310 jobs | $3,050 – $7,400 | $5,200 | −1% |
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $3,250 – $8,100 | $5,650 | +8% |
Concrete driveway: what moves the price in Brownsville
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.
Add-ons priced for Brownsville
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Brownsville by the average of the local wage index (0.77) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 0.85. 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 | $510 – $1,550 |
| Remove the old driveway | $1,000 – $3,050 |
Brownsville 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 Brownsville is 0.77 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 Brownsville metro, so we used the Texas statewide median: $22.84 an hour against $27.41 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $19.53 and $26.73 an hour.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $16.90 an hour, 25% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $14.33 and $18.88 an hour. About 460 work in the metro. That is 29.2 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 $19.32 an hour, which is 33% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $17.58 and $22.10 an hour. BLS counts 330 of them working in the area, 21.0 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 $17.13 an hour, which is 41% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $11.25 and $22.26 an hour. BLS counts 250 of them working in the area, 15.9 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 ($26.73 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $310. At the 25th percentile ($19.53) it shrinks by about $270. The total moves by 6.0% or 5.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 157,450 jobs in the Brownsville-Harlingen area. That makes it the 151st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.10% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $19.53 | $22.84 | $26.73 | $27.41 | 0.83 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $14.33 | $16.90 | $18.88 | $22.66 | 0.75 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $17.58 | $19.32 | $22.10 | $28.78 | 0.67 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $11.25 | $17.13 | $22.26 | $29.12 | 0.59 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.77 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Brownsville
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Brownsville 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
$3,050 to $4,800
Plain gray, 4-inch broom finish, flat site
Standard
$4,350 to $6,150
5-inch with rebar and saw-cut joints, a border or one color
Premium
$5,700 to $7,500
6-inch for heavy vehicles, stamped or colored, grading needed
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,250 – $2,000 | $1,800 – $2,550 | $2,350 – $3,100 |
| 2-car (20x24), 480 sq ft | $2,450 – $3,850 | $3,500 – $4,950 | $4,600 – $6,000 |
| 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) | $3,050 – $4,800 | $4,350 – $6,150 | $5,700 – $7,500 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $4,550 – $7,150 | $6,500 – $9,150 | $8,500 – $11,100 |
Climate in Brownsville: timing your concrete driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Brownsville (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
October through April is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Brownsville (7 of 12 months). May, June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in May, June, July, August and September, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Brownsville gets about 27 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (5.7 inches in September). Inside the workable window, January and February are the driest, at 1.1 and 1.0 inches. The station averages about 140 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 | 73 | 53 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 76 | 57 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 81 | 62 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 86 | 68 | 1.5 | Workable |
| May | 90 | 74 | 2.2 | Hot |
| Jun | 94 | 77 | 2.9 | Hot |
| Jul | 95 | 78 | 2.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 96 | 78 | 2.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 92 | 75 | 5.7 | Hot |
| Oct | 87 | 69 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 80 | 61 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 74 | 55 | 1.2 | Workable |
Planning more than one job in Brownsville?
Because every project leans on different trades, Brownsville's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, asphalt driveway runs −13% and gravel driveway −18%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,700 – $6,400 | −13% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,050 – $8,400 | −18% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,100 – $4,500 | −14% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $2,850 – $6,850 | −14% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,550 – $4,600 | −16% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,350 | −16% |
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 $4,350 to $6,150 for Brownsville, TX is attached.
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Multi-page report for Brownsville, TX: 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 Brownsville: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete driveway in Brownsville?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,050 to $7,500 in the Brownsville area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,350 to $6,150. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete driveway in Brownsville?
About $5 to $12 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $170 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $15.
+Is concrete driveway cheaper in Brownsville or McAllen?
McAllen is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $4,950, which is 6% less than Brownsville ($5,250). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Brownsville?
About 64% at the midpoint, or $3,400 out of $5,250. Materials are 34% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 69%.
+What would 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) cost in Brownsville?
$3,050 to $7,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete driveway need a permit in Brownsville?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $170 for fees in the Brownsville area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Brownsville expensive for concrete driveway compared with the rest of Texas?
Brownsville is 7% below the Texas statewide estimate ($5,700 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Brownsville?
BLS has no published metro figure here, so we use the statewide median of $22.84 an hour, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.53 to $26.73.
+What do basic and premium concrete driveway work cost in Brownsville?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,050 to $4,800 and premium work $5,700 to $7,500. 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 Brownsville?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through April. January and February 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 Brownsville?
$510 to $1,550 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete driveway near Brownsville
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.