Concrete patio cost in Chicago, IL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $1,500 – $5,000
- Per sq ft
- $4.80 – $15.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +24%
- US $2,650
- Rank of 300 metros
- #6
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pour a concrete patio in Chicago, plan on $1,500 to $5,000 for 300 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $4.80 to $15.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 24% higher than the national one. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $38.95 an hour in the Chicago area, 42% above the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in Chicago, IL, standard level
$2,550 to $3,950
About $7.95 to $12 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 58% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,000 | $1,250 |
| Labor | $1,400 | $2,400 |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $310 |
| Total | $2,550 | $3,950 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in Chicago, IL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $800 | $1,150 | $1,450 | 35% |
| Labor | $630 | $1,900 | $3,150 | 58% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $230 | $410 | 7% |
| Total | $1,500 | $3,250 | $5,000 | 100% |
Why Chicago prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 4 trades: cement masons and concrete finishers at 50%, construction laborers at 30%, carpenters at 10%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 10%. Weighted together, Chicago wages are 1.40 times the national level. Labor makes up about 58% of the midpoint estimate (51% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Chicago metro is 107.3 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $1,150, compared with $1,050 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (103.6) and land at $50 to $410.
Chicago against nearby metros and the rest of Illinois
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Chicago is the priciest of the group. Niles is the cheapest at $2,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, ILthis page | $1,500 – $5,000 | $3,250 | |
| Niles, MI55 miles | $1,200 – $3,850 | $2,500 | −23% |
| Kenosha, WI55 miles | $1,350 – $4,250 | $2,800 | −14% |
| Racine, WI70 miles | $1,250 – $4,250 | $2,750 | −15% |
| Rockford, IL75 miles | $1,350 – $4,600 | $2,950 | −9% |
| Milwaukee, WI80 miles | $1,300 – $4,500 | $2,900 | −11% |
| Illinois (statewide) | $1,450 – $4,850 | $3,150 | −3% |
| United States | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | −19% |
Across 300 US metros, Chicago comes in at #6 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $3,800; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $2,100 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, Chicago is 3% above the Illinois figure.
Other Illinois metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | 166,020 jobs | $1,350 – $4,550 | $2,950 | −9% |
| Rockford, IL | 137,650 jobs | $1,350 – $4,600 | $2,950 | −9% |
| Champaign, IL | 105,500 jobs | $1,350 – $4,550 | $2,950 | −9% |
| Springfield, IL | 100,810 jobs | $1,300 – $4,400 | $2,850 | −12% |
| Bloomington, IL | 88,110 jobs | $1,300 – $4,350 | $2,850 | −13% |
Cities with a workforce like Chicago's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Chicago against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $1,400 – $4,650 | $3,000 | −7% |
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $1,200 – $3,750 | $2,500 | −23% |
| New York, NY | 9,492,000 jobs | $1,450 – $4,750 | $3,100 | −5% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $1,200 – $3,650 | $2,400 | −26% |
Add-ons priced for Chicago
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Chicago by the average of the local wage index (1.40) and goods index (1.07), a factor of 1.24. 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 an acid or water-based stain | $1,100 – $3,700 |
Cost by quality level and size in Chicago
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Chicago 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 3 common sizes.
Basic
$1,500 to $2,900
Plain gray slab, broom finish, flat yard
Standard
$2,550 to $3,950
Colored or stained, saw-cut joints, minor grading
Premium
$3,600 to $5,000
Exposed aggregate or heavy decorative finish, drainage work
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 (100 sq ft) | $530 – $1,100 | $960 – $1,500 | $1,400 – $1,950 |
| 12x16 (192 sq ft) | $970 – $1,950 | $1,700 – $2,650 | $2,400 – $3,350 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,950 – $3,800 | $3,350 – $5,200 | $4,700 – $6,550 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Chicago bid
Site prep
Excavation, forms and a gravel base are the unglamorous part of the bill and vary most with soil and slope.
Size
Small patios carry fixed costs for forms and mobilization, so the per-square-foot price drops as the patio gets bigger.
Permit
Permits run $50-$400 where required. Many cities don't require one for a small at-grade patio.
Chicago labor market for concrete patio
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 Chicago is 1.40 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $38.95 an hour, which is 42% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $28.71 and $50.74 an hour. BLS counts 3,890 of them working in the area, 8.6 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 $29.27 an hour, 29% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.25 and $48.44 an hour. About 26,690 work in the metro. That is 59.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 10%) the local median is $38.68 an hour, which is 33% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.26 and $54.79 an hour. BLS counts 14,220 of them working in the area, 31.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 10%) the local median is $49.57 an hour, which is 72% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $37.78 and $56.42 an hour. BLS counts 7,930 of them working in the area, 17.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), 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 ($50.74 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $290. At the 25th percentile ($28.71) it shrinks by about $250. The total moves by 8.9% or 7.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 4,513,280 jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area. That makes it the 3rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 2.90% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $28.71 | $38.95 | $50.74 | $27.41 | 1.42 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.25 | $29.27 | $48.44 | $22.66 | 1.29 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $28.26 | $38.68 | $54.79 | $29.12 | 1.33 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $37.78 | $49.57 | $56.42 | $28.78 | 1.72 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.40 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Chicago
Because every project leans on different trades, Chicago's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete driveway runs +30% and wood deck +18%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $3,000 – $6,200 | +21% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,950 – $9,850 | +24% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,650 – $6,600 | +22% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $8,900 – $17,900 | +18% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,650 – $12,000 | +30% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,700 – $9,350 | +25% |
Climate in Chicago: timing your concrete patio job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Chicago Midway 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 Chicago (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.
Chicago gets about 34 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and August (4.1 inches in May). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 2.8 and 3.5 inches. The station averages about 20 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 | 33 | 19 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 23 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 32 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 60 | 41 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 71 | 52 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 81 | 62 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 68 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 83 | 66 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 76 | 59 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 47 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 35 | 2.4 | Cold |
| Dec | 38 | 25 | 1.8 | Cold |
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Concrete patio in Chicago: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete patio in Chicago?
For 300 sq ft, expect $1,500 to $5,000 in the Chicago area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,550 to $3,950. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete patio in Chicago?
About $4.80 to $15.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $410 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $4 to $12.
+Is concrete patio cheaper in Chicago or Niles?
Niles is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $2,500, which is 23% less than Chicago ($3,250). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chicago?
About 58% at the midpoint, or $1,900 out of $3,250. Materials are 35% and permits 7%. Nationally, labor is 51%.
+What would 12x16 (192 sq ft) cost in Chicago?
$970 to $3,350. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete patio need a permit in Chicago?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $410 for fees in the Chicago area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Chicago expensive for concrete patio compared with the rest of Illinois?
Chicago is 3% above the Illinois statewide estimate ($3,150 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Illinois; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Chicago?
The BLS median is $38.95 an hour in the Chicago area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.71 to $50.74.
+What do basic and premium concrete patio work cost in Chicago?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $1,500 to $2,900 and premium work $3,600 to $5,000. Basic means: plain gray slab, broom finish, flat yard. Premium means: exposed aggregate or heavy decorative finish, drainage work.
+When is the best time to pour a concrete patio in Chicago?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. September 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 an acid or water-based stain" add in Chicago?
$1,100 to $3,700 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete patio near Chicago
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 Patio Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- SimplyWise: Concrete Estimate Template: Free PDF + Excel (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Stamped Concrete Cost? (2026) (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 200 sq ft broom-finish patio line ($500-$900 in materials) divided by 200 sq ft.