Concrete driveway cost in Houston, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (600 sq ft)
- $3,300 – $8,150
- Per sq ft
- $5.40 – $13.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $6,450
- Rank of 300 metros
- #218
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a concrete driveway in the Houston area: $3,300 to $8,150 for 600 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 11% lower than the US figure. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $22.40 an hour in the Houston area, 18% below the US median of $27.41.
Estimate your concrete driveway cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 600 sq ft in Houston, TX, standard level
$4,750 to $6,700
About $7.75 to $11 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 65% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,700 | $2,100 |
| Labor | $2,950 | $4,450 |
| Permits and fees | $95 | $150 |
| Total | $4,750 | $6,700 |
Cost breakdown for 600 sq ft in Houston, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,400 | $1,900 | $2,400 | 33% |
| Labor | $1,850 | $3,700 | $5,550 | 65% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $120 | $200 | 2% |
| Total | $3,300 | $5,750 | $8,150 | 100% |
What is behind the Houston 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, Houston wages are 0.84 times the national level. Labor makes up about 65% of the midpoint estimate (69% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Houston is at 100.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,900 nationally becomes $1,900 here (midpoint, 600 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 98.6: $50 to $200.
The best months for concrete driveway in Houston
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Houston Hobby Ap (10 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For pouring concrete, the comfortable months in Houston are September through May: 9 of 12. Outside them, June, July and August 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 June, July and August, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Houston gets about 56 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (6.1 inches in June). Inside the workable window, February and March are the driest, at 2.9 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 101 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 64 | 46 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 68 | 50 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Mar | 73 | 56 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 79 | 62 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 86 | 69 | 5.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 91 | 75 | 6.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 93 | 77 | 4.6 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 77 | 5.4 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 73 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 82 | 64 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 73 | 54 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 66 | 48 | 4.3 | Workable |
Concrete driveway: what moves the price in Houston
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).
Pick a size, pick a tier: concrete driveway pricing in Houston
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Houston. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft to 3-car (900 sq ft).
Basic
$3,300 to $5,250
Plain gray, 4-inch broom finish, flat site
Standard
$4,750 to $6,700
5-inch with rebar and saw-cut joints, a border or one color
Premium
$6,200 to $8,150
6-inch for heavy vehicles, stamped or colored, grading needed
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $1,350 – $2,150 | $1,950 – $2,750 | $2,550 – $3,400 |
| 2-car (20x24), 480 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,200 | $3,800 – $5,400 | $5,000 – $6,550 |
| 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) | $3,300 – $5,250 | $4,750 – $6,700 | $6,200 – $8,150 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $4,950 – $7,800 | $7,100 – $9,950 | $9,250 – $12,100 |
Who does the work: Houston trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 4 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Houston the blend is 0.84.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 50% of the weighting: a median of $22.40 an hour, 18% below the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $18.65 and $26.83 an hour. About 7,700 work in the metro. That is 23.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $19.88 an hour, which is 12% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.82 and $22.88 an hour. BLS counts 34,080 of them working in the area, 103.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 10% of the weighting: a median of $24.54 an hour, 15% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.50 and $29.76 an hour. About 14,000 work in the metro. That is 42.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Carpenters (47-2031), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.88 an hour, 18% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.40 and $28.94 an hour. About 9,600 work in the metro. That is 29.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (cement masons and concrete finishers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $360 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $300. That is a swing of roughly 5.3% to 6.2% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands has 3,289,720 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 5th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $18.65 | $22.40 | $26.83 | $27.41 | 0.82 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $17.82 | $19.88 | $22.88 | $22.66 | 0.88 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $22.50 | $24.54 | $29.76 | $28.78 | 0.85 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $22.40 | $23.88 | $28.94 | $29.12 | 0.82 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.84 | |||||
How Houston compares
Same job, same size (600 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Beaumont is the priciest of the group at $5,850. College Station is the cheapest at $5,300.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TXthis page | $3,300 – $8,150 | $5,750 | |
| Beaumont, TX70 miles | $3,350 – $8,350 | $5,850 | +2% |
| College Station, TX95 miles | $3,050 – $7,550 | $5,300 | −7% |
| Lake Charles, LA130 miles | $3,300 – $8,200 | $5,750 | level |
| Austin, TX140 miles | $3,300 – $8,250 | $5,800 | +1% |
| Waco, TX170 miles | $3,100 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −6% |
| Texas (statewide) | $3,250 – $8,100 | $5,700 | −1% |
| United States | $3,650 – $9,200 | $6,450 | +12% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Houston ranks #218 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Houston is 1% above the Texas figure.
Elsewhere in Texas
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $3,400 – $8,450 | $5,950 | +4% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $3,300 – $8,250 | $5,800 | +1% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $3,150 – $7,900 | $5,550 | −3% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $3,000 – $7,300 | $5,150 | −10% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $2,850 – $7,000 | $4,950 | −14% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $3,250 – $8,150 | $5,700 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Houston against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $3,400 – $8,450 | $5,950 | +4% |
| Washington, DC | 3,136,190 jobs | $3,750 – $9,450 | $6,600 | +15% |
| Chicago, IL | 4,513,280 jobs | $4,650 – $12,000 | $8,350 | +46% |
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $3,850 – $9,800 | $6,800 | +19% |
Planning more than one job in Houston?
Jobs that often go together with concrete driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Houston wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, asphalt driveway comes out highest (−5%) and concrete patio lowest (−8%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,950 – $7,000 | −5% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,350 – $9,550 | −6% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,250 – $4,900 | −6% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,050 – $7,300 | −8% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,100 | −6% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,650 | −8% |
Extras that change the Houston total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.92 for Houston, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.84) and goods price index (1.01). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add rebar reinforcement | $550 – $1,650 |
| Remove the old driveway | $1,100 – $3,300 |
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 $4,750 to $6,700 for Houston, TX is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Houston, 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 Houston: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete driveway in Houston?
For 600 sq ft, expect $3,300 to $8,150 in the Houston area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,750 to $6,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete driveway in Houston?
About $5.40 to $13.50 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 Houston or Beaumont?
Beaumont is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 600 sq ft there is $5,850, which is 2% more than Houston ($5,750). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Houston?
About 65% at the midpoint, or $3,700 out of $5,750. Materials are 33% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 69%.
+What would 2-car + apron (600 sq ft) cost in Houston?
$3,300 to $8,150. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete driveway need a permit in Houston?
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 Houston area (our national range of $50 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Houston expensive for concrete driveway compared with the rest of Texas?
Houston is 1% above 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 Houston?
The BLS median is $22.40 an hour in the Houston area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.65 to $26.83.
+What do basic and premium concrete driveway work cost in Houston?
For 600 sq ft, basic work runs $3,300 to $5,250 and premium work $6,200 to $8,150. 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 Houston?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. February and March 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 Houston?
$550 to $1,650 for 600 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete driveway near Houston
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.