Detached garage cost in Boston, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $32,400 – $64,900
- Per sq ft
- $56 – $112
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +12%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #25
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a detached garage in the Boston area: $32,400 to $64,900 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 12% higher than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $36.16 an hour in the Boston area, 24% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Boston, MA, standard level
$42,100 to $55,200
About $72.50 to $95 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,700 | $24,400 |
| Labor | $23,200 | $30,300 |
| Permits and fees | $280 | $430 |
| Total | $42,100 | $55,200 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Boston, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $14,300 | $21,500 | $28,700 | 44% |
| Labor | $17,800 | $26,800 | $35,700 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $350 | $540 | 1% |
| Total | $32,400 | $48,600 | $64,900 | 100% |
What is behind the Boston number
Labor is 55% 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 Boston the blended ratio comes out at 1.24.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Boston is at 99.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $21,600 nationally becomes $21,500 here (midpoint, 576 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 108.3: $160 to $540.
Boston against nearby metros and the rest of Massachusetts
Same job, same size (576 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Worcester is the priciest of the group at $48,900. Manchester is the cheapest at $43,300.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MAthis page | $32,400 – $64,900 | $48,600 | |
| Manchester, NH45 miles | $28,800 – $57,800 | $43,300 | −11% |
| Worcester, MA50 miles | $32,600 – $65,300 | $48,900 | +1% |
| Providence, RI60 miles | $30,100 – $60,300 | $45,200 | −7% |
| Barnstable, MA70 miles | $31,400 – $63,100 | $47,300 | −3% |
| Portland, ME85 miles | $29,300 – $58,800 | $44,100 | −9% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $32,400 – $65,100 | $48,700 | level |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | −11% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Boston ranks #25 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Boston is 0% below the Massachusetts figure.
Elsewhere in Massachusetts
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $32,600 – $65,300 | $48,900 | +1% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $32,200 – $64,500 | $48,400 | −1% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $31,400 – $63,100 | $47,300 | −3% |
| Amherst, MA | 65,670 jobs | $30,900 – $62,000 | $46,400 | −5% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $29,600 – $59,400 | $44,500 | −8% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Boston against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami, FL | 2,819,940 jobs | $27,800 – $55,900 | $41,800 | −14% |
| Phoenix, AZ | 2,375,760 jobs | $28,000 – $56,300 | $42,200 | −13% |
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $27,000 – $54,200 | $40,600 | −17% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $36,700 – $73,600 | $55,200 | +13% |
Who does the work: Boston 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 Boston the blend is 1.24.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $36.16 an hour, 24% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $29.26 and $47.47 an hour. About 12,720 work in the metro. That is 47.0 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 $30.49 an hour, which is 35% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $26.22 and $45.11 an hour. BLS counts 11,580 of them working in the area, 42.8 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 $30.23 an hour, 10% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $26.87 and $37.47 an hour. About 950 work in the metro. That is 3.5 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 $38.42 an hour, which is 26% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $28.03 and $49.11 an hour. BLS counts 13,410 of them working in the area, 49.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is about average.
Roofers (47-2181), 10% of the weighting: a median of $31.90 an hour, 20% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $28.87 and $37.61 an hour. About 1,120 work in the metro. That is 4.1 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 $3,800 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $2,300. That is a swing of roughly 4.7% to 7.8% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has 2,703,890 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 10th 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% | $29.26 | $36.16 | $47.47 | $29.12 | 1.24 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $26.87 | $30.23 | $37.47 | $27.41 | 1.10 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $26.22 | $30.49 | $45.11 | $22.66 | 1.35 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $28.03 | $38.42 | $49.11 | $30.38 | 1.26 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $28.87 | $31.90 | $37.61 | $26.65 | 1.20 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.24 | |||||
The best months for detached garage in Boston
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Boston Logan 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 Boston 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.
Boston gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 49 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, October and December (4.3 inches in December). Inside the workable window, May and August are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 14 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 | 37 | 23 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 39 | 25 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 31 | 4.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 41 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 50 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 60 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 66 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 65 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 58 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 48 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 52 | 38 | 3.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 42 | 29 | 4.3 | Cold |
Specs and site conditions that change a Boston bid
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.
Boston: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Boston. 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
$32,400 to $45,400
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$42,100 to $55,200
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$51,900 to $64,900
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $13,600 – $19,100 | $17,700 – $23,200 | $21,900 – $27,400 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $32,400 – $45,400 | $42,100 – $55,200 | $51,900 – $64,900 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $40,400 – $56,700 | $52,600 – $68,800 | $64,800 – $81,000 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $50,500 – $70,700 | $65,700 – $86,000 | $80,900 – $101,000 |
What nearby projects cost in Boston
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Boston wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, home addition comes out highest (+16%) and garage door lowest (+7%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,700 – $5,650 | +9% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $770 – $3,950 | +7% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,100 – $10,600 | +14% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $44,300 – $89,700 | +16% |
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Detached garage in Boston: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Boston?
For 576 sq ft, expect $32,400 to $64,900 in the Boston area. A standard-spec job lands at $42,100 to $55,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Boston?
About $56 to $112 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $160 to $540 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Boston or Manchester?
Manchester is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $43,300, which is 11% less than Boston ($48,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Boston?
About 55% at the midpoint, or $26,800 out of $48,600. Materials are 44% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Boston?
$40,400 to $81,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Boston?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $160 to $540 for fees in the Boston area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Boston expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Boston is 0% below the Massachusetts statewide estimate ($48,700 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Massachusetts; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Boston?
The BLS median is $36.16 an hour in the Boston area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $29.26 to $47.47.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Boston?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $32,400 to $45,400 and premium work $51,900 to $64,900. 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 Boston?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. May and August 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 Boston
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).