Detached garage cost in Chico, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $31,700 – $63,600
- Per sq ft
- $55 – $110
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +10%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #41
- 1 = most expensive
Chico homeowners pay roughly $31,700 to $63,600 to build a detached garage at 576 sq ft, or $55 to $110 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Chico is 10% higher. Carpenters earn a median of $34.75 an hour in the Chico area, 19% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Chico, CA, standard level
$41,300 to $54,100
About $71 to $93 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $19,700 | $25,700 |
| Labor | $21,300 | $27,900 |
| Permits and fees | $260 | $400 |
| Total | $41,300 | $54,100 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Chico, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,100 | $22,700 | $30,300 | 48% |
| Labor | $16,400 | $24,600 | $32,800 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $330 | $510 | 1% |
| Total | $31,700 | $47,700 | $63,600 | 100% |
Where the Chico price comes from
Labor is 52% of the midpoint bill here, against 50% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (45%), cement masons and concrete finishers (15%), construction laborers (20%), electricians (10%), roofers (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Chico the blended ratio comes out at 1.14.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Chico metro is 105.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 576 sq ft comes to $22,700, compared with $21,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (101.2) and land at $150 to $510.
When to schedule detached garage in Chico
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Chico Univ Farm (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through June and October are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Chico (5 of 12 months). January, February, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below; July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
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.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in July, August and September, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Chico gets about 27 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (5.1 inches in February). Inside the workable window, May and June are the driest, at 1.4 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 99 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 | 56 | 36 | 5.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 62 | 38 | 5.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 67 | 42 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 45 | 1.9 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 52 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 57 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 95 | 61 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 59 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Sep | 91 | 55 | 0.3 | Hot |
| Oct | 80 | 47 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 65 | 40 | 2.4 | Cold |
| Dec | 57 | 36 | 5.0 | Cold |
Planning more than one job in Chico?
Because every project leans on different trades, Chico's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete driveway runs +10% and garage door +7%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,650 – $5,600 | +8% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $760 – $3,950 | +7% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,000 – $10,100 | +10% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $41,500 – $84,100 | +9% |
Chico against nearby metros and the rest of California
Same job, same size (576 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Napa is the priciest of the group at $50,900.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chico, CAthis page | $31,700 – $63,600 | $47,700 | |
| Sacramento, CA70 miles | $32,600 – $65,400 | $49,000 | +3% |
| Redding, CA80 miles | $31,900 – $64,000 | $47,900 | +1% |
| Napa, CA90 miles | $33,800 – $67,900 | $50,900 | +7% |
| Vallejo, CA100 miles | $33,000 – $66,300 | $49,600 | +4% |
| Santa Rosa, CA105 miles | $33,400 – $67,000 | $50,200 | +5% |
| California (statewide) | $33,000 – $66,200 | $49,600 | +4% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | −9% |
Across 300 US metros, Chico comes in at #41 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $57,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $35,500 (midpoints, 576 sq ft). Statewide, Chico is 4% below the California figure.
Other California metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $33,000 – $66,200 | $49,600 | +4% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $36,700 – $73,600 | $55,200 | +16% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $31,500 – $63,200 | $47,400 | −1% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $32,900 – $66,000 | $49,500 | +4% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $35,000 – $70,200 | $52,600 | +10% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $32,600 – $65,400 | $49,000 | +3% |
Cities with a workforce like Chico's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Chico against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced, CA | 79,510 jobs | $31,900 – $64,100 | $48,000 | +1% |
| Napa, CA | 77,860 jobs | $33,800 – $67,900 | $50,900 | +7% |
| Saginaw, MI | 80,000 jobs | $28,800 – $57,700 | $43,200 | −9% |
| Racine, WI | 76,280 jobs | $29,300 – $58,900 | $44,100 | −7% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Chico bid
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.
Foundation
A slab is cheapest. A frost-depth foundation in cold states costs more.
Chico: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Chico 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 4 common sizes.
Basic
$31,700 to $44,500
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$41,300 to $54,100
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$50,900 to $63,600
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $13,300 – $18,700 | $17,400 – $22,800 | $21,400 – $26,800 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $31,700 – $44,500 | $41,300 – $54,100 | $50,900 – $63,600 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $39,600 – $55,500 | $51,500 – $67,500 | $63,500 – $79,400 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $49,500 – $69,300 | $64,400 – $84,200 | $79,300 – $99,100 |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 5 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Chico is 1.14 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $34.75 an hour, which is 19% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.79 and $38.46 an hour. BLS counts 390 of them working in the area, 49.9 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 $26.31 an hour, 16% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.14 and $34.60 an hour. About 480 work in the metro. That is 61.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 15%) the local median is $28.71 an hour, which is 5% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $24.32 and $37.49 an hour. BLS counts 150 of them working in the area, 19.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $31.44 an hour, 3% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $27.55 and $42.44 an hour. About 320 work in the metro. That is 40.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 10%) the local median is $29.38 an hour, which is 10% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $27.80 and $31.30 an hour. BLS counts 100 of them working in the area, 12.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($38.46 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,250. At the 25th percentile ($24.79) it shrinks by about $3,300. The total moves by 2.6% or 7.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 78,220 jobs in the Chico area. That makes it the 241st 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $24.79 | $34.75 | $38.46 | $29.12 | 1.19 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $24.32 | $28.71 | $37.49 | $27.41 | 1.05 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.14 | $26.31 | $34.60 | $22.66 | 1.16 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $27.55 | $31.44 | $42.44 | $30.38 | 1.03 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $27.80 | $29.38 | $31.30 | $26.65 | 1.10 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.14 | |||||
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Detached garage in Chico: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Chico?
For 576 sq ft, expect $31,700 to $63,600 in the Chico area. A standard-spec job lands at $41,300 to $54,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Chico?
About $55 to $110 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $150 to $510 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Chico or Sacramento?
Sacramento is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $49,000, which is 3% more than Chico ($47,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chico?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $24,600 out of $47,700. Materials are 48% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Chico?
$39,600 to $79,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Chico?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $150 to $510 for fees in the Chico area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Chico expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of California?
Chico is 4% below the California statewide estimate ($49,600 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Chico?
The BLS median is $34.75 an hour in the Chico area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.79 to $38.46.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Chico?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $31,700 to $44,500 and premium work $50,900 to $63,600. 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 Chico?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and October. May and June 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 Chico
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).