Detached garage cost in Portland, OR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $33,300 – $66,900
- Per sq ft
- $57.50 – $115
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +15%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #12
- 1 = most expensive
A detached garage in Portland, OR usually costs $33,300 to $66,900 for 576 sq ft. That works out to about $57.50 to $115 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $6,600 more. Carpenters earn a median of $35.44 an hour in the Portland area, 22% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Portland, OR, standard level
$43,400 to $56,800
About $75 to $98 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $19,700 | $25,800 |
| Labor | $23,400 | $30,700 |
| Permits and fees | $270 | $420 |
| Total | $43,400 | $56,800 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Portland, OR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,200 | $22,700 | $30,300 | 45% |
| Labor | $18,000 | $27,000 | $36,100 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $340 | $530 | 1% |
| Total | $33,300 | $50,100 | $66,900 | 100% |
Why Portland prices look the way they do
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, Portland wages are 1.25 times the national level. Labor makes up about 54% of the midpoint estimate (50% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Portland is at 105.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $21,600 nationally becomes $22,700 here (midpoint, 576 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 105.4: $160 to $530.
What nearby projects cost in Portland
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Portland wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, home addition comes out highest (+23%) and garage door lowest (+13%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,900 | +14% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $810 – $4,150 | +13% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,300 – $11,000 | +19% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $46,600 – $94,300 | +23% |
How Portland compares
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 $46,000 to $50,100 across Portland and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ORthis page | $33,300 – $66,900 | $50,100 | |
| Salem, OR50 miles | $31,200 – $62,700 | $46,900 | −6% |
| Olympia, WA95 miles | $31,900 – $63,900 | $47,900 | −4% |
| Yakima, WA100 miles | $31,600 – $63,400 | $47,500 | −5% |
| Eugene, OR115 miles | $30,600 – $61,500 | $46,000 | −8% |
| Bend, OR125 miles | $31,400 – $63,100 | $47,300 | −6% |
| Oregon (statewide) | $31,600 – $63,400 | $47,500 | −5% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | −13% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Portland ranks #12 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Portland is 6% above the Oregon figure.
Elsewhere in Oregon
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem, OR | 188,620 jobs | $31,200 – $62,700 | $46,900 | −6% |
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $30,600 – $61,500 | $46,000 | −8% |
| Bend, OR | 108,240 jobs | $31,400 – $63,100 | $47,300 | −6% |
| Medford, OR | 89,060 jobs | $30,300 – $60,800 | $45,500 | −9% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Portland against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $26,200 – $52,600 | $39,400 | −21% |
| Las Vegas, NV | 1,136,960 jobs | $28,800 – $57,900 | $43,400 | −13% |
| St. Louis, MO | 1,341,320 jobs | $31,800 – $63,800 | $47,800 | −5% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $35,000 – $70,200 | $52,600 | +5% |
What local crews earn in Portland
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 Portland the blend is 1.25.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $35.44 an hour, 22% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.53 and $49.78 an hour. About 9,210 work in the metro. That is 76.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $26.08 an hour, which is 15% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.45 and $31.65 an hour. BLS counts 7,950 of them working in the area, 65.8 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 $36.10 an hour, 32% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $29.01 and $44.74 an hour. About 1,410 work in the metro. That is 11.7 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 $50.53 an hour, which is 66% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $37.95 and $60.26 an hour. BLS counts 7,340 of them working in the area, 60.7 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 $29.43 an hour, 10% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $24.33 and $38.06 an hour. About 2,280 work in the metro. That is 18.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $4,800 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $2,300. That is a swing of roughly 4.6% to 9.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro has 1,208,410 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 25th 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% | $28.53 | $35.44 | $49.78 | $29.12 | 1.22 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $29.01 | $36.10 | $44.74 | $27.41 | 1.32 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.45 | $26.08 | $31.65 | $22.66 | 1.15 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $37.95 | $50.53 | $60.26 | $30.38 | 1.66 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $24.33 | $29.43 | $38.06 | $26.65 | 1.10 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.25 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Portland bid
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).
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.
Cost by quality level and size in Portland
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Portland. 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
$33,300 to $46,800
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$43,400 to $56,800
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$53,500 to $66,900
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $14,000 – $19,700 | $18,200 – $23,900 | $22,500 – $28,200 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $33,300 – $46,800 | $43,400 – $56,800 | $53,500 – $66,900 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $41,600 – $58,400 | $54,200 – $70,900 | $66,700 – $83,500 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $52,000 – $72,900 | $67,700 – $88,600 | $83,300 – $104,000 |
Portland 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, Portland 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 Portland are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March 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.
Portland gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, November and December (5.8 inches in December). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 0.5 and 0.5 inches. The station averages about 15 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 | 48 | 36 | 5.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 52 | 37 | 3.7 | Cold |
| Mar | 57 | 40 | 4.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 62 | 44 | 2.9 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 49 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 74 | 54 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 59 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 59 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 54 | 1.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 64 | 47 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 54 | 41 | 5.5 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 36 | 5.8 | Cold |
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Detailed detached garage report for Portland, OR, $9
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Detached garage in Portland: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Portland?
For 576 sq ft, expect $33,300 to $66,900 in the Portland area. A standard-spec job lands at $43,400 to $56,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Portland?
About $57.50 to $115 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $160 to $530 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Portland or Salem?
Salem is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $46,900, which is 6% less than Portland ($50,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Portland?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $27,000 out of $50,100. Materials are 45% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Portland?
$41,600 to $83,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Portland?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $160 to $530 for fees in the Portland area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Portland expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Oregon?
Portland is 6% above the Oregon statewide estimate ($47,500 at the midpoint). We cover 5 metros in Oregon; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Portland?
The BLS median is $35.44 an hour in the Portland area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.53 to $49.78.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Portland?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $33,300 to $46,800 and premium work $53,500 to $66,900. 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 Portland?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. July 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 Portland
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).