Detached garage cost in Davenport, IA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $28,800 – $57,800
- Per sq ft
- $50 – $99.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #117
- 1 = most expensive
A detached garage in Davenport, IA usually costs $28,800 to $57,800 for 576 sq ft. That works out to about $50 to $99.50 per sq ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 94.2).
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Davenport, IA, standard level
$37,500 to $49,100
About $64.50 to $84.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,600 | $23,100 |
| Labor | $19,600 | $25,700 |
| Permits and fees | $230 | $350 |
| Total | $37,500 | $49,100 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Davenport, IA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,600 | $20,300 | $27,100 | 47% |
| Labor | $15,100 | $22,600 | $30,200 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $130 | $290 | $450 | 1% |
| Total | $28,800 | $43,300 | $57,800 | 100% |
Why Davenport prices look the way they do
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 Davenport the blended ratio comes out at 1.05.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Davenport is at 94.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $21,600 nationally becomes $20,300 here (midpoint, 576 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 89.1: $130 to $450.
Davenport against nearby metros and the rest of Iowa
Same job, same size (576 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Peoria is the priciest of the group at $48,200. Iowa City is the cheapest at $40,100.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IAthis page | $28,800 – $57,800 | $43,300 | |
| Iowa City, IA60 miles | $26,700 – $53,600 | $40,100 | −7% |
| Peoria, IL65 miles | $32,100 – $64,400 | $48,200 | +11% |
| Dubuque, IA75 miles | $27,900 – $56,000 | $42,000 | −3% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA75 miles | $27,500 – $55,200 | $41,300 | −4% |
| Rockford, IL100 miles | $31,600 – $63,500 | $47,600 | +10% |
| Iowa (statewide) | $27,600 – $55,400 | $41,500 | −4% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | +1% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Davenport ranks #117 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Davenport is 4% above the Iowa figure.
Elsewhere in Iowa
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA | 404,130 jobs | $28,200 – $56,600 | $42,400 | −2% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 139,260 jobs | $27,500 – $55,200 | $41,300 | −4% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $26,700 – $53,600 | $40,100 | −7% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $27,600 – $55,400 | $41,500 | −4% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $27,200 – $54,500 | $40,900 | −6% |
| Dubuque, IA | 58,470 jobs | $27,900 – $56,000 | $42,000 | −3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Davenport against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $26,700 – $53,600 | $40,100 | −7% |
| Lafayette, LA | 179,570 jobs | $25,700 – $51,600 | $38,600 | −11% |
| Lincoln, NE | 182,620 jobs | $26,400 – $53,000 | $39,700 | −8% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 178,590 jobs | $26,500 – $53,200 | $39,900 | −8% |
Davenport: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Davenport. 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
$28,800 to $40,400
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$37,500 to $49,100
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$46,200 to $57,800
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $12,100 – $17,000 | $15,800 – $20,700 | $19,400 – $24,300 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $28,800 – $40,400 | $37,500 – $49,100 | $46,200 – $57,800 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $36,000 – $50,400 | $46,800 – $61,300 | $57,600 – $72,100 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $44,900 – $63,000 | $58,400 – $76,500 | $72,000 – $90,000 |
Why two Davenport quotes can differ
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.
What local crews earn in Davenport
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 Davenport the blend is 1.05.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $29.06 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.15 and $35.60 an hour. About 670 work in the metro. That is 37.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $26.14 an hour, which is 15% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.74 and $33.98 an hour. BLS counts 1,320 of them working in the area, 73.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 15% of the weighting: a median of $29.17 an hour, 6% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $23.04 and $33.92 an hour. About 220 work in the metro. That is 12.2 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 $36.99 an hour, which is 22% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $24.82 and $41.20 an hour. BLS counts 1,450 of them working in the area, 80.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Roofers (47-2181), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.20 an hour, 13% below the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $22.33 and $30.84 an hour. About 110 work in the metro. That is 6.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $2,200 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,950. That is a swing of roughly 4.6% to 5.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island has 180,450 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 128th 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% | $23.15 | $29.06 | $35.60 | $29.12 | 1.00 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $23.04 | $29.17 | $33.92 | $27.41 | 1.06 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.74 | $26.14 | $33.98 | $22.66 | 1.15 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $24.82 | $36.99 | $41.20 | $30.38 | 1.22 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $22.33 | $23.20 | $30.84 | $26.65 | 0.87 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.05 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Davenport?
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Davenport wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+4%) and garage door lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,500 – $5,150 | level |
| Garage door | 1 door | $690 – $3,600 | −3% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,750 – $9,600 | +4% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $38,000 – $77,000 | level |
Davenport 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, Davenport (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 Davenport are May through October: 6 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, April, 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.
Davenport gets about 36 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.8 inches in May). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.5 and 2.7 inches. The station averages about 13 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 | 30 | 14 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 34 | 18 | 1.4 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 29 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 61 | 39 | 3.6 | Cold |
| May | 73 | 51 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 81 | 61 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 64 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 62 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 76 | 53 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 42 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 30 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Dec | 35 | 20 | 1.6 | Cold |
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Detached garage in Davenport: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Davenport?
For 576 sq ft, expect $28,800 to $57,800 in the Davenport area. A standard-spec job lands at $37,500 to $49,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Davenport?
About $50 to $99.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $130 to $450 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Davenport or Iowa City?
Iowa City is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $40,100, which is 7% less than Davenport ($43,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Davenport?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $22,600 out of $43,300. Materials are 47% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Davenport?
$36,000 to $72,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Davenport?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $130 to $450 for fees in the Davenport area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Davenport expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Iowa?
Davenport is 4% above the Iowa statewide estimate ($41,500 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Iowa; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Davenport?
The BLS median is $29.06 an hour in the Davenport area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.15 to $35.60.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Davenport?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $28,800 to $40,400 and premium work $46,200 to $57,800. 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 Davenport?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May 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 Davenport
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).