Detached garage cost in San Francisco, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $36,700 – $73,600
- Per sq ft
- $63.50 – $127
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +27%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #3
- 1 = most expensive
A detached garage in San Francisco, CA usually costs $36,700 to $73,600 for 576 sq ft. That works out to about $63.50 to $127 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $11,600 more. Carpenters earn a median of $42.89 an hour in the San Francisco area, 47% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in San Francisco, CA, standard level
$47,800 to $62,500
About $82.50 to $108 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $20,300 | $26,600 |
| Labor | $27,200 | $35,500 |
| Permits and fees | $290 | $460 |
| Total | $47,800 | $62,500 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in San Francisco, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,600 | $23,400 | $31,200 | 42% |
| Labor | $20,900 | $31,400 | $41,800 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $380 | $580 | 1% |
| Total | $36,700 | $55,200 | $73,600 | 100% |
Where the San Francisco 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 $42.89 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for San Francisco is 1.45 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 57% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. San Francisco is at 108.5 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $21,600 nationally becomes $23,400 here (midpoint, 576 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 115.6: $170 to $580.
Planning more than one job in San Francisco?
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same San Francisco wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+36%) and garage door lowest (+19%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $3,150 – $6,450 | +26% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $860 – $4,400 | +19% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,850 – $12,600 | +36% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $49,600 – $100,500 | +30% |
How San Francisco compares
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than San Francisco. Stockton is the lowest at about $47,700 (midpoint, 576 sq ft), 55 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CAthis page | $36,700 – $73,600 | $55,200 | |
| Vallejo, CA40 miles | $33,000 – $66,300 | $49,600 | −10% |
| Napa, CA50 miles | $33,800 – $67,900 | $50,900 | −8% |
| Santa Cruz, CA55 miles | $32,800 – $65,900 | $49,300 | −11% |
| Stockton, CA55 miles | $31,700 – $63,700 | $47,700 | −14% |
| Santa Rosa, CA65 miles | $33,400 – $67,000 | $50,200 | −9% |
| California (statewide) | $33,000 – $66,200 | $49,600 | −10% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | −21% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, San Francisco ranks #3 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, San Francisco is 11% above the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $33,000 – $66,200 | $49,600 | −10% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $31,500 – $63,200 | $47,400 | −14% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $32,900 – $66,000 | $49,500 | −10% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $35,000 – $70,200 | $52,600 | −5% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $32,600 – $65,400 | $49,000 | −11% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $30,900 – $62,000 | $46,400 | −16% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is San Francisco against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ | 2,375,760 jobs | $28,000 – $56,300 | $42,200 | −24% |
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $34,000 – $68,200 | $51,100 | −7% |
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $32,400 – $64,900 | $48,600 | −12% |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $33,300 – $66,800 | $50,000 | −9% |
What local crews earn in San Francisco
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 San Francisco the blend is 1.45.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $42.89 an hour, 47% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $30.45 and $48.26 an hour. About 14,010 work in the metro. That is 59.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $34.91 an hour, which is 54% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $28.03 and $40.50 an hour. BLS counts 11,620 of them working in the area, 48.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 15% of the weighting: a median of $36.53 an hour, 33% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $29.20 and $48.73 an hour. About 2,420 work in the metro. That is 10.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $44.63 an hour, which is 47% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $33.70 and $62.63 an hour. BLS counts 9,060 of them working in the area, 38.2 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 $35.74 an hour, 34% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $29.86 and $37.91 an hour. About 2,610 work in the metro. That is 11.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
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 $4,150. That is a swing of roughly 7.5% to 3.2% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has 2,373,920 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 12th 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% | $30.45 | $42.89 | $48.26 | $29.12 | 1.47 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $29.20 | $36.53 | $48.73 | $27.41 | 1.33 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $28.03 | $34.91 | $40.50 | $22.66 | 1.54 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $33.70 | $44.63 | $62.63 | $30.38 | 1.47 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $29.86 | $35.74 | $37.91 | $26.65 | 1.34 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.45 | |||||
San Francisco 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, San Francisco Dwtn (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
Weather is not a serious constraint for pouring concrete in San Francisco: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average overnight low of 40°F or below) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
San Francisco gets about 23 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (4.8 inches in December). The station averages about 3 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 | 58 | 47 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Feb | 60 | 48 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Mar | 62 | 49 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 63 | 50 | 1.6 | Workable |
| May | 64 | 51 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 67 | 53 | 0.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 66 | 54 | 0.0 | Workable |
| Aug | 68 | 56 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 70 | 56 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 70 | 54 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 64 | 51 | 2.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 58 | 47 | 4.8 | Workable |
Pick a size, pick a tier: detached garage pricing in San Francisco
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to San Francisco. 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
$36,700 to $51,500
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$47,800 to $62,500
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$58,900 to $73,600
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $15,400 – $21,600 | $20,100 – $26,300 | $24,800 – $31,000 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $36,700 – $51,500 | $47,800 – $62,500 | $58,900 – $73,600 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $45,800 – $64,300 | $59,600 – $78,100 | $73,500 – $91,900 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $57,200 – $80,200 | $74,500 – $97,500 | $91,700 – $114,500 |
Why two San Francisco quotes can differ
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.
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 $47,800 to $62,500 for San Francisco, CA is attached.
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Multi-page report for San Francisco, CA: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Detached garage in San Francisco: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in San Francisco?
For 576 sq ft, expect $36,700 to $73,600 in the San Francisco area. A standard-spec job lands at $47,800 to $62,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in San Francisco?
About $63.50 to $127 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $170 to $580 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in San Francisco or Vallejo?
Vallejo is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $49,600, which is 10% less than San Francisco ($55,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in San Francisco?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $31,400 out of $55,200. Materials are 42% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in San Francisco?
$45,800 to $91,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in San Francisco?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $170 to $580 for fees in the San Francisco area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is San Francisco expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of California?
San Francisco is 11% above 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 San Francisco?
The BLS median is $42.89 an hour in the San Francisco area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $30.45 to $48.26.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in San Francisco?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $36,700 to $51,500 and premium work $58,900 to $73,600. Basic means: basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door. Premium means: insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes.
+Is there a bad season to build a detached garage in San Francisco?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
Detached garage near San Francisco
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).