Concrete slab cost in Iowa City, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $2,350 – $5,000
- Per sq ft
- $5.80 – $11.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −4%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #160
- 1 = most expensive
Iowa City homeowners pay roughly $2,350 to $5,000 to pour a concrete slab at 400 sq ft, or $5.80 to $11.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Iowa City is 4% lower. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.7).
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in Iowa City, IA, standard level
$3,150 to $4,200
About $7.55 to $9.85 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,550 | $2,150 |
| Labor | $1,450 | $1,750 |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $270 |
| Total | $3,150 | $4,200 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in Iowa City, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,100 | $1,850 | $2,600 | 51% |
| Labor | $1,200 | $1,600 | $2,000 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $210 | $370 | 6% |
| Total | $2,350 | $3,700 | $5,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Iowa City number
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 $27.95 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Iowa City is 1.00 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 43% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Iowa City metro is 93.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 400 sq ft comes to $1,850, compared with $2,000 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (91.5) and land at $45 to $370.
Planning more than one job in Iowa City?
Because every project leans on different trades, Iowa City's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, asphalt driveway runs −1% and detached garage −8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,550 – $9,000 | −2% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,900 | −3% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $26,700 – $53,600 | −8% |
| Stamped concrete | 400 sq ft | $3,150 – $7,750 | −2% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,000 – $7,350 | −1% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,450 – $9,950 | −2% |
Add-ons priced for Iowa City
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Iowa City by the average of the local wage index (1.00) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 0.97. 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 | $390 – $1,150 |
| Remove old concrete first | $770 – $2,300 |
Pick a size, pick a tier: concrete slab pricing in Iowa City
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Iowa City 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 5 common sizes.
Basic
$2,350 to $3,400
4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access
Standard
$3,150 to $4,200
4-5 inch slab with rebar or heavier mesh and standard base prep
Premium
$3,950 to $5,000
6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x10 pad (100 sq ft) | $630 – $980 | $890 – $1,250 | $1,150 – $1,500 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $880 – $1,350 | $1,250 – $1,700 | $1,550 – $2,050 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $2,350 – $3,400 | $3,150 – $4,200 | $3,950 – $5,000 |
| 24x24 garage floor (576 sq ft) | $3,400 – $4,850 | $4,500 – $5,950 | $5,550 – $7,000 |
| 30x40 foundation (1,200 sq ft) | $7,000 – $9,900 | $9,200 – $12,100 | $11,300 – $14,200 |
When to schedule concrete slab in Iowa City
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Iowa City Muni Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
May through October is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Iowa City (6 of 12 months). January, February, March, April, 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.
Iowa City gets about 36 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and August (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.2 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 19 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 | 31 | 15 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 36 | 19 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Mar | 50 | 30 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 63 | 40 | 3.8 | Cold |
| May | 73 | 52 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 83 | 62 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 66 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 63 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Sep | 78 | 54 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 64 | 42 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 30 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 36 | 20 | 1.4 | Cold |
Concrete slab: what moves the price in Iowa City
Base and reinforcement
A compacted gravel base, vapor barrier, and wire mesh or rebar are priced separately by some contractors and bundled by others. Ask which one your quote does.
Truck and pump access
If the mixer truck can't back up to the forms, someone has to wheelbarrow it in or hire a pump. Pump or line-pump hire is typically billed per day.
Small-job minimums
Many crews have a minimum charge, so a 10x10 pad can cost more per square foot than a 20x20 slab.
Is Iowa City cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (400 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Davenport is the priciest of the group at $3,800.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IAthis page | $2,350 – $5,000 | $3,700 | |
| Cedar Rapids, IA40 miles | $2,400 – $5,050 | $3,700 | +1% |
| Davenport, IA60 miles | $2,500 – $5,150 | $3,800 | +4% |
| Dubuque, IA75 miles | $2,400 – $5,050 | $3,700 | +1% |
| Waterloo, IA80 miles | $2,500 – $5,150 | $3,800 | +4% |
| Des Moines, IA110 miles | $2,450 – $5,100 | $3,750 | +2% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $2,400 – $5,000 | $3,700 | +1% |
| United States | $2,450 – $5,200 | $3,850 | +4% |
Across 300 US metros, Iowa City comes in at #160 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $5,300; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $3,200 (midpoints, 400 sq ft). Statewide, Iowa City is 1% below the Iowa figure.
Other Iowa metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $2,450 – $5,100 | $3,750 | +2% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $2,500 – $5,150 | $3,800 | +4% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $2,400 – $5,050 | $3,700 | +1% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $2,500 – $5,150 | $3,800 | +4% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $2,350 – $4,950 | $3,650 | level |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $2,400 – $5,050 | $3,700 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Iowa City's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Iowa City against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 93,800 jobs | $2,500 – $5,200 | $3,850 | +4% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $2,650 – $5,500 | $4,100 | +11% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $2,650 – $5,450 | $4,050 | +10% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $2,850 – $5,900 | $4,350 | +19% |
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 Iowa City is 1.00 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 50%) the local median is $27.95 an hour, which is in line with the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $24.95 and $29.32 an hour. BLS counts 80 of them working in the area, 8.5 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 $23.05 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.87 and $28.74 an hour. About 800 work in the metro. That is 85.3 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 $29.10 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $27.22 and $34.14 an hour. BLS counts 210 of them working in the area, 22.4 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 $23.89 an hour, which is 18% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.98 and $29.70 an hour. BLS counts 360 of them working in the area, 38.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the cement masons and concrete finishers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($29.32 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $40. At the 25th percentile ($24.95) it shrinks by about $90. The total moves by 1.1% or 2.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 93,760 jobs in the Iowa City area. That makes it the 214th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.06% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 50% | $24.95 | $27.95 | $29.32 | $27.41 | 1.02 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $21.87 | $23.05 | $28.74 | $22.66 | 1.02 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $27.22 | $29.10 | $34.14 | $28.78 | 1.01 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 10% | $21.98 | $23.89 | $29.70 | $29.12 | 0.82 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.00 | |||||
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Concrete slab in Iowa City: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour a concrete slab in Iowa City?
For 400 sq ft, expect $2,350 to $5,000 in the Iowa City area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,150 to $4,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for concrete slab in Iowa City?
About $5.80 to $11.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $370 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $6 to $12.
+Is concrete slab cheaper in Iowa City or Cedar Rapids?
Cedar Rapids is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $3,700, which is 1% more than Iowa City ($3,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Iowa City?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $1,600 out of $3,700. Materials are 51% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 20x20 (400 sq ft) cost in Iowa City?
$2,350 to $5,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does concrete slab need a permit in Iowa City?
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 Iowa City area (our national range of $50 to $400 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Iowa City expensive for concrete slab compared with the rest of Iowa?
Iowa City is 1% below the Iowa statewide estimate ($3,700 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Iowa City?
The BLS median is $27.95 an hour in the Iowa City area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.95 to $29.32.
+What do basic and premium concrete slab work cost in Iowa City?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $2,350 to $3,400 and premium work $3,950 to $5,000. Basic means: 4-inch broom-finish slab, light mesh, easy truck access. Premium means: 6-inch slab, heavy reinforcement, thick base, pump truck or tight access.
+When is the best time to pour a concrete slab in Iowa City?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May 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 rebar reinforcement" add in Iowa City?
$390 to $1,150 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Concrete slab near Iowa City
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 Slab Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Estimators.us: Concrete Slab Cost in 2026 | $6-$12/Sq Ft Guide (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Concrete Patio Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Concrete Driveway 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