Detached garage cost in New Jersey
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (576 sq ft)
- $32,400 – $65,100
- Per sq ft
- $56 – $112
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +12%
- US $43,500
- Metros covered
- 3
What does it cost to build a detached garage in New Jersey? Plan on $32,400 to $65,100 for 576 sq ft. Wages (1.17x the US blend), materials (price index 107.1) and permit costs (108.8) put the state above the national midpoint by 12%.
Inside New Jersey, the metros we cover range from $45,600 (Atlantic City) to $49,700 (Trenton) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
Estimate your detached garage cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in New Jersey (statewide), standard level
$42,200 to $55,300
About $73 to $95 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $20,000 | $26,200 |
| Labor | $21,900 | $28,600 |
| Permits and fees | $280 | $430 |
| Total | $42,200 | $55,300 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in New Jersey
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,400 | $23,100 | $30,800 | 47% |
| Labor | $16,800 | $25,300 | $33,700 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $350 | $540 | 1% |
| Total | $32,400 | $48,700 | $65,100 | 100% |
How New Jersey compares with nearby states
New Jersey ranks 8 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for detached garage, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $56,300 and the cheapest Arkansas at $37,800, both for 576 sq ft at the midpoint. New Jersey sits at $48,700. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | 60 miles away | $28,300 – $56,700 | $42,500 | −13% |
| New York | 100 miles away | $32,700 – $65,600 | $49,200 | +1% |
| Pennsylvania | 100 miles away | $29,100 – $58,500 | $43,800 | −10% |
| Maryland | 110 miles away | $29,700 – $59,700 | $44,700 | −8% |
| Connecticut | 150 miles away | $30,200 – $60,600 | $45,400 | −7% |
Related projects, priced for New Jersey
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide New Jersey wages and prices. Against national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+16%) and garage door lowest (+8%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,850 | +13% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $760 – $4,000 | +8% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,200 – $10,700 | +16% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $42,600 – $86,300 | +12% |
Detached garage: what moves the price in New Jersey
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.
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).
New Jersey metro-by-metro prices
1 of the 3 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $48,700, and the top-to-bottom gap is 9%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (576 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton, NJ | $33,000 – $66,300 | $49,700 | +2% |
| Vineland, NJ | $32,500 – $65,100 | $48,800 | level |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $30,300 – $60,900 | $45,600 | −6% |
Quality levels and sizes in New Jersey
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide New Jersey wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$32,400 to $45,500
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$42,200 to $55,300
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$52,000 to $65,100
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $13,600 – $19,100 | $17,700 – $23,300 | $21,900 – $27,400 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $32,400 – $45,500 | $42,200 – $55,300 | $52,000 – $65,100 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $40,500 – $56,800 | $52,700 – $69,000 | $64,900 – $81,200 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $50,600 – $70,900 | $65,800 – $86,100 | $81,000 – $101,500 |
New Jersey seasons and detached garage
Season matters for detached garage. For each New Jersey metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for pouring concrete.
Atlantic City has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in New Jersey at 8 months (April through November); Vineland has the shortest at 7 (April through October). Rainfall runs from 43 inches a year in Vineland to 46 inches in Trenton.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton | 24 | 86 | 46 | 7: April through October |
| Atlantic City | 30 | 80 | 44 | 8: April through November |
| Vineland | 24 | 86 | 43 | 7: April through October |
New Jersey labor market for detached garage
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 5 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 1.17 for New Jersey.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $30.77 an hour, which is 6% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.63 and $38.67 an hour. BLS counts 14,230 of them working in the state, 33.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $30.80 an hour, 36% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.46 and $45.44 an hour. About 23,590 work in the state. That is 55.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 15%) the local median is $29.52 an hour, which is 8% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $26.36 and $36.01 an hour. BLS counts 2,390 of them working in the state, 5.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $37.14 an hour, 22% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $30.00 and $58.23 an hour. About 13,520 work in the state. That is 31.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 10%) the local median is $36.83 an hour, which is 38% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.88 and $47.96 an hour. BLS counts 1,860 of them working in the state, 4.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for carpenters ($38.67 an hour) would add about $2,650 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($24.63) would take off about $2,050. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 4,285,720 jobs across New Jersey (May 2025), which is 2.8% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $24.63 | $30.77 | $38.67 | $29.12 | 1.06 | state |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $26.36 | $29.52 | $36.01 | $27.41 | 1.08 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.46 | $30.80 | $45.44 | $22.66 | 1.36 | state |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $30.00 | $37.14 | $58.23 | $30.38 | 1.22 | state |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $23.88 | $36.83 | $47.96 | $26.65 | 1.38 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.17 | |||||
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 $42,200 to $55,300 for New Jersey is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
The report lays out the detached garage numbers for New Jersey line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. 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 New Jersey: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in New Jersey?
$32,400 to $65,100 for 576 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside New Jersey can sit above or below that.
+Which city in New Jersey is cheapest for detached garage?
Atlantic City at about $45,600 (midpoint, 576 sq ft). The priciest is Trenton at $49,700.
+Is detached garage cheaper in New Jersey than the US average?
It is 12% more expensive: $48,700 against $43,500 for 576 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in New Jersey?
About 52% ($25,300). Materials are 47%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.17x the national wage level.
+What do carpenters earn in New Jersey?
The BLS statewide median is $30.77 an hour, against $29.12 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.63 to $38.67.
+Where does New Jersey rank for detached garage costs?
8th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $48,700 for 576 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in New Jersey?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $32,400 to $45,500 and premium work $52,000 to $65,100. Basic means: basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door. Premium means: insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes.
+Does the season matter for detached garage in New Jersey?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the New Jersey metros we cover, Atlantic City has the most comfortable months (8 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
Detached garage by city in New Jersey
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).