Detached garage cost in Chicago, IL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $35,500 – $71,100
- Per sq ft
- $61.50 – $123
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +22%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #4
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a detached garage in the Chicago area: $35,500 to $71,100 for 576 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 22% higher than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $38.68 an hour in the Chicago area, 33% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Chicago, IL, standard level
$46,200 to $60,400
About $79.50 to $104 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 56% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $20,100 | $26,300 |
| Labor | $25,800 | $33,800 |
| Permits and fees | $260 | $410 |
| Total | $46,200 | $60,400 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Chicago, IL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,400 | $23,200 | $30,900 | 43% |
| Labor | $19,900 | $29,800 | $39,700 | 56% |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $340 | $520 | 1% |
| Total | $35,500 | $53,300 | $71,100 | 100% |
Why Chicago prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $38.68 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Chicago is 1.38 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 56% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Chicago is at 107.3 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $21,600 nationally becomes $23,200 here (midpoint, 576 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 103.6: $160 to $520.
Cost by quality level and size in Chicago
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Chicago. 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
$35,500 to $49,700
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$46,200 to $60,400
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$56,900 to $71,100
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $14,900 – $20,900 | $19,400 – $25,400 | $23,900 – $29,900 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $35,500 – $49,700 | $46,200 – $60,400 | $56,900 – $71,100 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $44,300 – $62,100 | $57,600 – $75,400 | $71,000 – $88,800 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $55,300 – $77,500 | $72,000 – $94,200 | $88,600 – $111,000 |
Related projects, priced for Chicago
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Chicago wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+30%) and garage door lowest (+15%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $3,000 – $6,200 | +21% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $840 – $4,250 | +15% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,650 – $12,000 | +30% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $49,000 – $99,000 | +29% |
Is Chicago cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 576 sq ft range from $41,200 to $53,300 across Chicago and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, ILthis page | $35,500 – $71,100 | $53,300 | |
| Niles, MI55 miles | $27,400 – $55,000 | $41,200 | −23% |
| Kenosha, WI55 miles | $30,500 – $61,200 | $45,800 | −14% |
| Racine, WI70 miles | $29,300 – $58,900 | $44,100 | −17% |
| Rockford, IL75 miles | $31,600 – $63,500 | $47,600 | −11% |
| Milwaukee, WI80 miles | $30,200 – $60,500 | $45,300 | −15% |
| Illinois (statewide) | $34,500 – $69,200 | $51,900 | −3% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | −18% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Chicago ranks #4 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Chicago is 3% above the Illinois figure.
Elsewhere in Illinois
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | 166,020 jobs | $32,100 – $64,400 | $48,200 | −9% |
| Rockford, IL | 137,650 jobs | $31,600 – $63,500 | $47,600 | −11% |
| Champaign, IL | 105,500 jobs | $31,100 – $62,400 | $46,700 | −12% |
| Springfield, IL | 100,810 jobs | $32,000 – $64,100 | $48,000 | −10% |
| Bloomington, IL | 88,110 jobs | $31,600 – $63,300 | $47,400 | −11% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Chicago against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $33,000 – $66,200 | $49,600 | −7% |
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $27,300 – $54,800 | $41,000 | −23% |
| New York, NY | 9,492,000 jobs | $34,000 – $68,300 | $51,100 | −4% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $26,800 – $53,700 | $40,300 | −24% |
Why two Chicago quotes can differ
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).
Who does the work: Chicago trade wages
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 Chicago the blend is 1.38.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $38.68 an hour, 33% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.26 and $54.79 an hour. About 14,220 work in the metro. That is 31.5 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 $29.27 an hour, which is 29% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.25 and $48.44 an hour. BLS counts 26,690 of them working in the area, 59.1 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 $38.95 an hour, 42% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $28.71 and $50.74 an hour. About 3,890 work in the metro. That is 8.6 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 $49.21 an hour, which is 62% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $35.77 and $57.05 an hour. BLS counts 17,720 of them working in the area, 39.3 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 $39.47 an hour, 48% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $28.73 and $50.61 an hour. About 3,900 work in the metro. That is 8.6 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 $5,400 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $3,500. That is a swing of roughly 6.5% to 10.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has 4,513,280 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 3rd 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% | $28.26 | $38.68 | $54.79 | $29.12 | 1.33 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $28.71 | $38.95 | $50.74 | $27.41 | 1.42 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.25 | $29.27 | $48.44 | $22.66 | 1.29 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $35.77 | $49.21 | $57.05 | $30.38 | 1.62 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $28.73 | $39.47 | $50.61 | $26.65 | 1.48 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.38 | |||||
The best months for detached garage in Chicago
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Chicago Midway 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 Chicago are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, 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.
Chicago gets about 34 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and August (4.1 inches in May). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 2.8 and 3.5 inches. The station averages about 20 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 | 33 | 19 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 23 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 32 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 60 | 41 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 71 | 52 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 81 | 62 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 68 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 83 | 66 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 76 | 59 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 47 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 35 | 2.4 | Cold |
| Dec | 38 | 25 | 1.8 | Cold |
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Detached garage in Chicago: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Chicago?
For 576 sq ft, expect $35,500 to $71,100 in the Chicago area. A standard-spec job lands at $46,200 to $60,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Chicago?
About $61.50 to $123 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $160 to $520 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Chicago or Niles?
Niles is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $41,200, which is 23% less than Chicago ($53,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chicago?
About 56% at the midpoint, or $29,800 out of $53,300. Materials are 43% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Chicago?
$44,300 to $88,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Chicago?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $160 to $520 for fees in the Chicago area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Chicago expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Illinois?
Chicago is 3% above the Illinois statewide estimate ($51,900 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Illinois; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Chicago?
The BLS median is $38.68 an hour in the Chicago area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.26 to $54.79.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Chicago?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $35,500 to $49,700 and premium work $56,900 to $71,100. 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 Chicago?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April 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.
Detached garage near Chicago
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).