Detached garage cost in Tucson, AZ
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $26,700 – $53,600
- Per sq ft
- $46 – $92
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −8%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #190
- 1 = most expensive
A detached garage in Tucson, AZ usually costs $26,700 to $53,600 for 576 sq ft. That works out to about $46 to $92 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $3,400 less. Carpenters earn a median of $23.61 an hour in the Tucson area, 19% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Tucson, AZ, standard level
$34,800 to $45,500
About $60 to $78.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,000 | $23,600 |
| Labor | $16,500 | $21,600 |
| Permits and fees | $250 | $380 |
| Total | $34,800 | $45,500 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Tucson, AZ
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,900 | $20,800 | $27,700 | 52% |
| Labor | $12,700 | $19,000 | $25,400 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $310 | $480 | 1% |
| Total | $26,700 | $40,100 | $53,600 | 100% |
Where the Tucson price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $23.61 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Tucson is 0.88 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 47% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Tucson is at 96.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $21,600 nationally becomes $20,800 here (midpoint, 576 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 96.9: $150 to $480.
How Tucson compares
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Tucson. Yuma is the lowest at about $39,400 (midpoint, 576 sq ft), 130 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson, AZthis page | $26,700 – $53,600 | $40,100 | |
| Phoenix, AZ75 miles | $28,000 – $56,300 | $42,200 | +5% |
| Yuma, AZ130 miles | $26,200 – $52,600 | $39,400 | −2% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ180 miles | $27,300 – $54,800 | $41,100 | +2% |
| El Centro, CA215 miles | $31,900 – $63,900 | $47,900 | +19% |
| Flagstaff, AZ255 miles | $27,700 – $55,600 | $41,600 | +4% |
| Arizona (statewide) | $27,900 – $55,900 | $41,900 | +4% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | +8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Tucson ranks #190 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Tucson is 4% below the Arizona figure.
Elsewhere in Arizona
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 2,375,760 jobs | $28,000 – $56,300 | $42,200 | +5% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | 72,300 jobs | $27,300 – $54,800 | $41,100 | +2% |
| Yuma, AZ | 68,880 jobs | $26,200 – $52,600 | $39,400 | −2% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | 66,610 jobs | $27,700 – $55,600 | $41,600 | +4% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | 56,490 jobs | $26,100 – $52,300 | $39,200 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Tucson against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise, ID | 391,790 jobs | $27,400 – $55,100 | $41,200 | +3% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $29,400 – $59,100 | $44,200 | +10% |
| Charleston, SC | 394,170 jobs | $26,700 – $53,500 | $40,100 | level |
| Dayton, OH | 372,660 jobs | $28,200 – $56,600 | $42,400 | +6% |
Tucson: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Tucson. 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
$26,700 to $37,400
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$34,800 to $45,500
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$42,800 to $53,600
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $11,200 – $15,800 | $14,600 – $19,200 | $18,000 – $22,600 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $26,700 – $37,400 | $34,800 – $45,500 | $42,800 – $53,600 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $33,300 – $46,700 | $43,400 – $56,800 | $53,400 – $66,800 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $41,600 – $58,300 | $54,200 – $70,900 | $66,700 – $83,400 |
Planning more than one job in Tucson?
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Tucson wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (−3%) and home addition lowest (−11%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,350 – $5,000 | −3% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $640 – $3,450 | −7% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,550 – $8,900 | −3% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $33,800 – $68,600 | −11% |
Detached garage: what moves the price in Tucson
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).
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.
What local crews earn in Tucson
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 5 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 Tucson the blend is 0.88.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $23.61 an hour, 19% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.31 and $28.94 an hour. About 1,380 work in the metro. That is 35.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $21.66 an hour, which is 4% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.18 and $23.05 an hour. BLS counts 3,410 of them working in the area, 87.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 15% of the weighting: a median of $27.64 an hour, in line with the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $23.52 and $28.58 an hour. About 590 work in the metro. That is 15.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $28.60 an hour, which is 6% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.34 and $35.30 an hour. BLS counts 1,340 of them working in the area, 34.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Roofers (47-2181), 10% of the weighting: a median of $21.17 an hour, 21% below the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $18.07 and $21.57 an hour. About 340 work in the metro. That is 8.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $1,800 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $430. That is a swing of roughly 1.1% to 4.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Tucson has 389,630 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 68th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $22.31 | $23.61 | $28.94 | $29.12 | 0.81 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $23.52 | $27.64 | $28.58 | $27.41 | 1.01 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $18.18 | $21.66 | $23.05 | $22.66 | 0.96 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $22.34 | $28.60 | $35.30 | $30.38 | 0.94 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $18.07 | $21.17 | $21.57 | $26.65 | 0.79 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.88 | |||||
Tucson weather and the detached garage calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Tucson Intl Ap (5 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 Tucson are October through April: 7 of 12. Outside them, May, June, July, August and September 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 May, June, July, August and September, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Tucson gets about 11 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are July, August and September (2.2 inches in July). Inside the workable window, April and November are the driest, at 0.2 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 158 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 | 67 | 41 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 69 | 43 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 76 | 48 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 83 | 53 | 0.2 | Workable |
| May | 92 | 62 | 0.2 | Hot |
| Jun | 101 | 71 | 0.2 | Hot |
| Jul | 100 | 76 | 2.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 99 | 75 | 2.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 95 | 70 | 1.3 | Hot |
| Oct | 86 | 59 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 75 | 48 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 66 | 41 | 1.0 | Workable |
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Detached garage in Tucson: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Tucson?
For 576 sq ft, expect $26,700 to $53,600 in the Tucson area. A standard-spec job lands at $34,800 to $45,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Tucson?
About $46 to $92 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $150 to $480 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Tucson or Phoenix?
Phoenix is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $42,200, which is 5% more than Tucson ($40,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Tucson?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $19,000 out of $40,100. Materials are 52% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Tucson?
$33,300 to $66,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Tucson?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $150 to $480 for fees in the Tucson area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Tucson expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Arizona?
Tucson is 4% below the Arizona statewide estimate ($41,900 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Arizona; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Tucson?
The BLS median is $23.61 an hour in the Tucson area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.31 to $28.94.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Tucson?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $26,700 to $37,400 and premium work $42,800 to $53,600. Basic means: basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door. Premium means: insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes.
+When is the best time to build a detached garage in Tucson?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through April. April and November are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Detached garage near Tucson
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).