Concrete patio cost in La Crosse, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $1,250 – $4,150
- Per sq ft
- $4.05 – $12.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $2,650
- Rank of 300 metros
- #89
- 1 = most expensive
La Crosse homeowners pay roughly $1,250 to $4,150 to pour a concrete patio at 300 sq ft, or $4.05 to $12.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, La Crosse is 3% higher. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $29.26 an hour in the La Crosse area, 7% above the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in La Crosse, WI, standard level
$2,150 to $3,300
About $6.60 to $10 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 56% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $870 | $1,100 |
| Labor | $1,100 | $1,900 |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $270 |
| Total | $2,150 | $3,300 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in La Crosse, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $700 | $980 | $1,250 | 36% |
| Labor | $510 | $1,500 | $2,550 | 56% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $210 | $370 | 8% |
| Total | $1,250 | $2,700 | $4,150 | 100% |
Why La Crosse prices look the way they do
Labor is 56% of the midpoint bill here, against 51% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is cement masons and concrete finishers (50%), construction laborers (30%), carpenters (10%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In La Crosse the blended ratio comes out at 1.13.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the La Crosse metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 300 sq ft comes to $980, compared with $1,050 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (91.8) and land at $45 to $370.
Pick a size, pick a tier: concrete patio pricing in La Crosse
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for La Crosse 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
$1,250 to $2,400
Plain gray slab, broom finish, flat yard
Standard
$2,150 to $3,300
Colored or stained, saw-cut joints, minor grading
Premium
$3,000 to $4,150
Exposed aggregate or heavy decorative finish, drainage work
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 (100 sq ft) | $450 – $920 | $800 – $1,300 | $1,150 – $1,650 |
| 12x16 (192 sq ft) | $820 – $1,600 | $1,400 – $2,200 | $2,000 – $2,800 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $1,650 – $3,150 | $2,800 – $4,300 | $3,900 – $5,450 |
Extras that change the La Crosse total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to La Crosse by the average of the local wage index (1.13) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 1.03. 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 | $930 – $3,100 |
Related projects, priced for La Crosse
Because every project leans on different trades, La Crosse's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, paver patio runs +10% and wood deck −2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,500 – $5,250 | +2% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,300 – $8,250 | +3% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $6,000 | +10% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,400 – $14,800 | −2% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,850 – $9,850 | +7% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,200 – $7,950 | +6% |
Is La Crosse cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 300 sq ft range from $2,550 to $2,900 across La Crosse and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse, WIthis page | $1,250 – $4,150 | $2,700 | |
| Rochester, MN65 miles | $1,300 – $4,450 | $2,900 | +7% |
| Dubuque, IA85 miles | $1,200 – $3,900 | $2,550 | −5% |
| Eau Claire, WI85 miles | $1,250 – $4,200 | $2,700 | level |
| Madison, WI85 miles | $1,300 – $4,300 | $2,800 | +3% |
| Waterloo, IA105 miles | $1,250 – $4,050 | $2,650 | −2% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $1,250 – $4,250 | $2,750 | +2% |
| United States | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | −3% |
Across 300 US metros, La Crosse comes in at #89 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $3,800; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $2,100 (midpoints, 300 sq ft). Statewide, La Crosse is 2% below the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $1,300 – $4,500 | $2,900 | +7% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $1,300 – $4,300 | $2,800 | +3% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $1,250 – $4,200 | $2,750 | +1% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $1,300 – $4,400 | $2,850 | +5% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $1,300 – $4,450 | $2,900 | +6% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $1,250 – $4,200 | $2,700 | level |
Cities with a workforce like La Crosse's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is La Crosse against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $1,150 – $3,500 | $2,300 | −15% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $1,250 – $4,050 | $2,650 | −2% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $1,250 – $4,200 | $2,700 | level |
| Houma, LA | 83,440 jobs | $1,100 – $3,450 | $2,300 | −15% |
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 La Crosse is 1.13 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $29.26 an hour, which is 7% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $25.00 and $33.93 an hour. BLS counts 120 of them working in the area, 14.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $28.32 an hour, 25% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.49 and $35.41 an hour. About 610 work in the metro. That is 72.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 10%) the local median is $28.34 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.93 and $36.95 an hour. BLS counts 450 of them working in the area, 53.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 10%) the local median is $34.34 an hour, which is 19% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $28.40 and $44.77 an hour. BLS counts 120 of them working in the area, 14.2 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 ($33.93 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $120. At the 25th percentile ($25.00) it shrinks by about $100. The total moves by 4.2% or 3.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 84,380 jobs in the La Crosse-Onalaska area. That makes it the 228th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $25.00 | $29.26 | $33.93 | $27.41 | 1.07 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.49 | $28.32 | $35.41 | $22.66 | 1.25 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $23.93 | $28.34 | $36.95 | $29.12 | 0.97 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $28.40 | $34.34 | $44.77 | $28.78 | 1.19 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.13 | |||||
When to schedule concrete patio in La Crosse
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for La Crosse Wfo (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
May through September is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in La Crosse (5 of 12 months). January, February, March, April, October, 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.
La Crosse gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 54 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, July and September are the driest, at 4.3 and 4.0 inches. The station averages about 3 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 | 24 | 8 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 29 | 13 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 24 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 36 | 4.0 | Cold |
| May | 67 | 48 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 58 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 62 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 60 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 52 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 40 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Nov | 42 | 28 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 29 | 15 | 1.5 | Cold |
Why two La Crosse quotes can differ
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.
Finish
Plain concrete is $4-$12 per sq ft and a broom finish $6-$13; designs with several colors and decorative finishes run up to about $28 (HomeGuide).
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 $2,150 to $3,300 for La Crosse, WI is attached.
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Concrete patio in La Crosse: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete patio in La Crosse?
For 300 sq ft, expect $1,250 to $4,150 in the La Crosse area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,150 to $3,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete patio in La Crosse?
About $4.05 to $12.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $370 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $4 to $12.
+Is concrete patio cheaper in La Crosse or Rochester?
Rochester is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $2,900, which is 7% more than La Crosse ($2,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in La Crosse?
About 56% at the midpoint, or $1,500 out of $2,700. Materials are 36% and permits 8%. Nationally, labor is 51%.
+What would 12x16 (192 sq ft) cost in La Crosse?
$820 to $2,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete patio need a permit in La Crosse?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $370 for fees in the La Crosse area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is La Crosse expensive for concrete patio compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
La Crosse is 2% below the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($2,750 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in La Crosse?
The BLS median is $29.26 an hour in the La Crosse area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $25.00 to $33.93.
+What do basic and premium concrete patio work cost in La Crosse?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $1,250 to $2,400 and premium work $3,000 to $4,150. 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 La Crosse?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through September. July and September 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 La Crosse?
$930 to $3,100 for 300 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete patio near La Crosse
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.