Detached garage cost in Alaska
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (576 sq ft)
- $34,200 – $68,600
- Per sq ft
- $59 – $118
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +18%
- US $43,500
- Metros covered
- 1
Across Alaska, a detached garage costs about $34,200 to $68,600 for 576 sq ft. Statewide, that midpoint is 18% above the US figure of $43,500. Carpenters earn a median $35.51 an hour in Alaska (US: $29.12).
Alaska has one metro in our dataset, Anchorage, so the statewide and metro figures are close. The state figure uses BLS statewide wages, which include rural areas.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Alaska (statewide), standard level
$44,500 to $58,300
About $77 to $101 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $19,900 | $26,000 |
| Labor | $24,400 | $31,900 |
| Permits and fees | $260 | $400 |
| Total | $44,500 | $58,300 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Alaska
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,300 | $23,000 | $30,600 | 45% |
| Labor | $18,700 | $28,100 | $37,500 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $330 | $510 | 1% |
| Total | $34,200 | $51,400 | $68,600 | 100% |
Detached garage cost by metro in Alaska
Alaska has one metro in our dataset, Anchorage, so the statewide and metro figures are close. The state figure uses BLS statewide wages, which include rural areas. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (576 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | $33,900 – $68,000 | $51,000 | −1% |
Wages behind the Alaska number
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 5 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 1.30 for Alaska.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $35.51 an hour, which is 22% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.74 and $45.26 an hour. BLS counts 2,560 of them working in the state, 78.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $27.91 an hour, 23% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.30 and $33.63 an hour. About 3,690 work in the state. That is 113.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 15%) the local median is $44.69 an hour, which is 63% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $44.33 and $54.34 an hour. BLS counts 240 of them working in the state, 7.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $43.00 an hour, 42% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $32.11 and $50.75 an hour. About 1,870 work in the state. That is 57.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 10%) the local median is $32.09 an hour, which is 20% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $27.31 and $38.75 an hour. BLS counts 310 of them working in the state, 9.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is about average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for carpenters ($45.26 an hour) would add about $3,250 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($28.74) would take off about $2,250. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 325,570 jobs across Alaska (May 2025), which is 0.2% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $28.74 | $35.51 | $45.26 | $29.12 | 1.22 | state |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $44.33 | $44.69 | $54.34 | $27.41 | 1.63 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.30 | $27.91 | $33.63 | $22.66 | 1.23 | state |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $32.11 | $43.00 | $50.75 | $30.38 | 1.42 | state |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $27.31 | $32.09 | $38.75 | $26.65 | 1.20 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.30 | |||||
When Alaska weather lets you build
Season matters for detached garage. For each Alaska metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for pouring concrete.
Anchorage has 3 comfortable months (June through August), with about 23 inches of precipitation a year.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | 6 | 67 | 23 | 3: June through August |
How Alaska compares with nearby states
Alaska ranks 3 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for detached garage, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $56,300 and the cheapest Arkansas at $37,800, both for 576 sq ft at the midpoint. Alaska sits at $51,400. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 1500 miles away | $33,300 – $66,900 | $50,100 | −3% |
| Oregon | 1600 miles away | $31,600 – $63,400 | $47,500 | −8% |
| Idaho | 1870 miles away | $27,500 – $55,200 | $41,400 | −20% |
| Montana | 1880 miles away | $28,900 – $58,000 | $43,500 | −15% |
| Utah | 2150 miles away | $27,300 – $54,800 | $41,000 | −20% |
Quality levels and sizes in Alaska
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide Alaska wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$34,200 to $48,000
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$44,500 to $58,300
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$54,900 to $68,600
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $14,300 – $20,200 | $18,700 – $24,500 | $23,100 – $28,900 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $34,200 – $48,000 | $44,500 – $58,300 | $54,900 – $68,600 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $42,700 – $59,900 | $55,600 – $72,800 | $68,500 – $85,600 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $53,400 – $74,800 | $69,400 – $90,900 | $85,500 – $107,000 |
Detached garage: what moves the price in Alaska
Size and finish level
HomeGuide puts a 2-car detached garage at $20,000-$57,600, with the spread driven by how finished it is.
Foundation
A slab is cheapest. A frost-depth foundation in cold states costs more.
Garage apartments
A garage with living space is a different project: HomeGuide puts them at $80,000-$300,000.
Permits
You need a permit for a detached garage: $150-$500 on average, with separate electrical or plumbing permits if those are involved.
Electrical
Running power to a detached garage costs $1,000-$3,800 for a standard build and $5,000 or more for a long trench or amperage upgrade (Angi, Trusscore).
If you are planning more than one job in Alaska
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide Alaska wages and prices. Against national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+32%) and garage door lowest (+12%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $3,050 – $6,250 | +22% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $800 – $4,100 | +12% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,700 – $12,200 | +32% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $46,600 – $94,200 | +22% |
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Detached garage in Alaska: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Alaska?
$34,200 to $68,600 for 576 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Alaska can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Alaska is cheapest for detached garage?
Anchorage at about $51,000 (midpoint, 576 sq ft).
+Is detached garage cheaper in Alaska than the US average?
It is 18% more expensive: $51,400 against $43,500 for 576 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in Alaska?
About 55% ($28,100). Materials are 45%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.30x the national wage level.
+What do carpenters earn in Alaska?
The BLS statewide median is $35.51 an hour, against $29.12 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.74 to $45.26.
+Where does Alaska rank for detached garage costs?
3rd most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $51,400 for 576 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Alaska?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $34,200 to $48,000 and premium work $54,900 to $68,600. Basic means: basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door. Premium means: insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes.
+Does the season matter for detached garage in Alaska?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the Alaska metros we cover, Anchorage has the most comfortable months (3 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
Detached garage by city in Alaska
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 Detached Garage Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Trusscore: How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garage? 2026 Price Guide (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Angi: How Much Does It Cost to Build a Detached Garage? [2026 Data] (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 = installed range / 1.6, because Angi puts professional labor at roughly an additional 60% of the materials cost (materials about 62.5% of the total).