Detached garage cost in St. Louis, MO
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $31,800 – $63,800
- Per sq ft
- $55 – $110
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +10%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #38
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a detached garage in St. Louis, plan on $31,800 to $63,800 for 576 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $55 to $110 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 10% higher than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $34.13 an hour in the St. Louis area, 17% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in St. Louis, MO, standard level
$41,400 to $54,200
About $71.50 to $93.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,700 | $24,500 |
| Labor | $22,500 | $29,400 |
| Permits and fees | $240 | $380 |
| Total | $41,400 | $54,200 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in St. Louis, MO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $14,400 | $21,600 | $28,800 | 45% |
| Labor | $17,300 | $25,900 | $34,500 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $310 | $480 | 1% |
| Total | $31,800 | $47,800 | $63,800 | 100% |
Where the St. Louis price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 5 trades: carpenters at 45%, cement masons and concrete finishers at 15%, construction laborers at 20%, electricians at 10%, roofers at 10%. Weighted together, St. Louis wages are 1.20 times the national level. Labor makes up about 54% of the midpoint estimate (50% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the St. Louis metro is 100.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 576 sq ft comes to $21,600, compared with $21,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (95.1) and land at $140 to $480.
Why two St. Louis 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.
How St. Louis compares
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than St. Louis. Columbia is the lowest at about $42,100 (midpoint, 576 sq ft), 120 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MOthis page | $31,800 – $63,800 | $47,800 | |
| Springfield, IL85 miles | $32,000 – $64,100 | $48,000 | level |
| Jefferson City, MO95 miles | $28,700 – $57,500 | $43,100 | −10% |
| Columbia, MO120 miles | $28,000 – $56,200 | $42,100 | −12% |
| Bloomington, IL145 miles | $31,600 – $63,300 | $47,400 | −1% |
| Peoria, IL150 miles | $32,100 – $64,400 | $48,200 | +1% |
| Missouri (statewide) | $29,100 – $58,300 | $43,700 | −9% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | −9% |
Across 300 US metros, St. Louis comes in at #38 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $57,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $35,500 (midpoints, 576 sq ft). Statewide, St. Louis is 9% above the Missouri figure.
Other Missouri metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO | 1,096,110 jobs | $29,000 – $58,200 | $43,600 | −9% |
| Springfield, MO | 223,030 jobs | $26,900 – $54,000 | $40,500 | −15% |
| Columbia, MO | 107,680 jobs | $28,000 – $56,200 | $42,100 | −12% |
| Joplin, MO | 87,190 jobs | $26,600 – $53,400 | $40,000 | −16% |
| Jefferson City, MO | 80,220 jobs | $28,700 – $57,500 | $43,100 | −10% |
Cities with a workforce like St. Louis's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is St. Louis against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD | 1,356,680 jobs | $29,300 – $58,900 | $44,100 | −8% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $26,200 – $52,600 | $39,400 | −18% |
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $26,700 – $53,700 | $40,200 | −16% |
| Portland, OR | 1,208,410 jobs | $33,300 – $66,900 | $50,100 | +5% |
Climate in St. Louis: timing your detached garage job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for St Louis Sci Ctr (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through June and August through October are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in St. Louis (6 of 12 months). January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below; July has 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, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
St. Louis gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are April, May and June (4.9 inches in May). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 47 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 | 41 | 25 | 2.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 46 | 28 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 56 | 38 | 3.6 | Cold |
| Apr | 68 | 48 | 4.8 | Workable |
| May | 77 | 59 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 86 | 67 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 72 | 4.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 89 | 70 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Sep | 82 | 62 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 70 | 50 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 56 | 39 | 3.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 45 | 30 | 2.6 | Cold |
What nearby projects cost in St. Louis
Because every project leans on different trades, St. Louis's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete driveway runs +16% and garage door +5%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,750 – $5,650 | +9% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $750 – $3,850 | +5% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,150 – $10,700 | +16% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $41,800 – $84,600 | +10% |
St. Louis labor market for detached garage
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 St. Louis is 1.20 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $34.13 an hour, which is 17% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $25.32 and $44.28 an hour. BLS counts 7,210 of them working in the area, 53.8 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 $31.01 an hour, 37% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.00 and $39.22 an hour. About 8,670 work in the metro. That is 64.6 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 $31.09 an hour, which is 13% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $27.37 and $39.47 an hour. BLS counts 2,550 of them working in the area, 19.0 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 $37.10 an hour, 22% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $26.13 and $47.45 an hour. About 5,920 work in the metro. That is 44.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 10%) the local median is $28.25 an hour, which is 6% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $21.87 and $37.84 an hour. BLS counts 1,110 of them working in the area, 8.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($44.28 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $3,400. At the 25th percentile ($25.32) it shrinks by about $2,950. The total moves by 7.1% or 6.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,341,320 jobs in the St. Louis area. That makes it the 23rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.86% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $25.32 | $34.13 | $44.28 | $29.12 | 1.17 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $27.37 | $31.09 | $39.47 | $27.41 | 1.13 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $23.00 | $31.01 | $39.22 | $22.66 | 1.37 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $26.13 | $37.10 | $47.45 | $30.38 | 1.22 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $21.87 | $28.25 | $37.84 | $26.65 | 1.06 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.20 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in St. Louis
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for St. Louis 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
$31,800 to $44,600
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$41,400 to $54,200
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$51,000 to $63,800
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $13,300 – $18,800 | $17,400 – $22,800 | $21,500 – $26,900 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $31,800 – $44,600 | $41,400 – $54,200 | $51,000 – $63,800 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $39,700 – $55,700 | $51,700 – $67,700 | $63,700 – $79,700 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $49,600 – $69,600 | $64,600 – $84,500 | $79,500 – $99,400 |
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 $41,400 to $54,200 for St. Louis, MO is attached.
Detailed detached garage report for St. Louis, MO, $9
Multi-page report for St. Louis, MO: 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 St. Louis: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in St. Louis?
For 576 sq ft, expect $31,800 to $63,800 in the St. Louis area. A standard-spec job lands at $41,400 to $54,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in St. Louis?
About $55 to $110 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $140 to $480 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in St. Louis or Springfield?
Springfield is 85 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $48,000, which is 0% more than St. Louis ($47,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in St. Louis?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $25,900 out of $47,800. Materials are 45% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in St. Louis?
$39,700 to $79,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in St. Louis?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $140 to $480 for fees in the St. Louis area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is St. Louis expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Missouri?
St. Louis is 9% above the Missouri statewide estimate ($43,700 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Missouri; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in St. Louis?
The BLS median is $34.13 an hour in the St. Louis area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $25.32 to $44.28.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in St. Louis?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $31,800 to $44,600 and premium work $51,000 to $63,800. 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 St. Louis?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through June and August 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 St. Louis
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).