Detached garage cost in Milwaukee, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $30,200 – $60,500
- Per sq ft
- $52 – $104
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #66
- 1 = most expensive
Milwaukee homeowners pay roughly $30,200 to $60,500 to build a detached garage at 576 sq ft, or $52 to $104 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Milwaukee is 4% higher. Carpenters earn a median of $30.73 an hour in the Milwaukee area, 6% above the US median of $29.12.
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Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Milwaukee, WI, standard level
$39,300 to $51,400
About $68 to $88.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,600 | $23,000 |
| Labor | $21,500 | $28,100 |
| Permits and fees | $250 | $380 |
| Total | $39,300 | $51,400 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Milwaukee, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,500 | $20,300 | $27,000 | 45% |
| Labor | $16,500 | $24,800 | $33,000 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $320 | $480 | 1% |
| Total | $30,200 | $45,300 | $60,500 | 100% |
Where the Milwaukee 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, Milwaukee wages are 1.15 times the national level. Labor makes up about 55% of the midpoint estimate (50% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Milwaukee metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 576 sq ft comes to $20,300, compared with $21,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (96.9) and land at $150 to $480.
How Milwaukee 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 $44,100 to $47,600 across Milwaukee and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WIthis page | $30,200 – $60,500 | $45,300 | |
| Racine, WI10 miles | $29,300 – $58,900 | $44,100 | −3% |
| Kenosha, WI20 miles | $30,500 – $61,200 | $45,800 | +1% |
| Sheboygan, WI55 miles | $29,700 – $59,500 | $44,600 | −2% |
| Janesville, WI65 miles | $31,600 – $63,400 | $47,500 | +5% |
| Rockford, IL70 miles | $31,600 – $63,500 | $47,600 | +5% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $29,500 – $59,100 | $44,300 | −2% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | −4% |
Across 300 US metros, Milwaukee comes in at #66 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $57,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $35,500 (midpoints, 576 sq ft). Statewide, Milwaukee is 2% above the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $29,800 – $59,800 | $44,800 | −1% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $29,200 – $58,600 | $43,900 | −3% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $29,700 – $59,600 | $44,600 | −2% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $31,900 – $64,000 | $48,000 | +6% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $28,900 – $58,000 | $43,400 | −4% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $29,200 – $58,600 | $43,900 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like Milwaukee's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Milwaukee against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UT | 826,210 jobs | $28,300 – $56,900 | $42,600 | −6% |
| Jacksonville, FL | 765,930 jobs | $26,500 – $53,200 | $39,900 | −12% |
| Cleveland, OH | 1,031,130 jobs | $29,200 – $58,500 | $43,900 | −3% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $26,500 – $53,100 | $39,800 | −12% |
Planning more than one job in Milwaukee?
Because every project leans on different trades, Milwaukee's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete driveway runs +16% and garage door −1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,700 – $5,550 | +7% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $710 – $3,650 | −1% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,150 – $10,800 | +16% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $40,500 – $81,900 | +6% |
When to schedule detached garage in Milwaukee
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Mt Mary College (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
May through October is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Milwaukee (6 of 12 months). 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.
Milwaukee gets about 34 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 40 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (4.8 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.0 and 2.7 inches. The station averages about 16 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 | 30 | 14 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 34 | 17 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 44 | 26 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 36 | 3.7 | Cold |
| May | 68 | 48 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 58 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 63 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 62 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 53 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 42 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 47 | 30 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Dec | 35 | 21 | 1.7 | Cold |
Specs and site conditions that change a Milwaukee bid
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).
Pick a size, pick a tier: detached garage pricing in Milwaukee
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Milwaukee 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
$30,200 to $42,300
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$39,300 to $51,400
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$48,400 to $60,500
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $12,700 – $17,800 | $16,500 – $21,600 | $20,400 – $25,500 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $30,200 – $42,300 | $39,300 – $51,400 | $48,400 – $60,500 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $37,700 – $52,800 | $49,000 – $64,200 | $60,400 – $75,500 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $47,100 – $65,900 | $61,200 – $80,100 | $75,400 – $94,300 |
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Milwaukee is 1.15 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $30.73 an hour, which is 6% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $26.48 and $39.60 an hour. BLS counts 3,310 of them working in the area, 40.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $27.61 an hour, 22% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.17 and $37.52 an hour. About 4,740 work in the metro. That is 57.7 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 $35.93 an hour, which is 31% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $29.45 and $40.37 an hour. BLS counts 930 of them working in the area, 11.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is about average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $37.41 an hour, 23% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $27.48 and $47.39 an hour. About 4,490 work in the metro. That is 54.7 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 $28.91 an hour, which is 8% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.24 and $34.00 an hour. BLS counts 980 of them working in the area, 11.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($39.60 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $2,950. At the 25th percentile ($26.48) it shrinks by about $1,400. The total moves by 6.5% or 3.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 820,780 jobs in the Milwaukee-Waukesha area. That makes it the 38th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.53% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $26.48 | $30.73 | $39.60 | $29.12 | 1.06 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $29.45 | $35.93 | $40.37 | $27.41 | 1.31 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.17 | $27.61 | $37.52 | $22.66 | 1.22 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $27.48 | $37.41 | $47.39 | $30.38 | 1.23 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $23.24 | $28.91 | $34.00 | $26.65 | 1.08 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.15 | |||||
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Detached garage in Milwaukee: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Milwaukee?
For 576 sq ft, expect $30,200 to $60,500 in the Milwaukee area. A standard-spec job lands at $39,300 to $51,400. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Milwaukee?
About $52 to $104 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $150 to $480 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Milwaukee or Racine?
Racine is 10 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $44,100, which is 3% less than Milwaukee ($45,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Milwaukee?
About 55% at the midpoint, or $24,800 out of $45,300. Materials are 45% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Milwaukee?
$37,700 to $75,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Milwaukee?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $150 to $480 for fees in the Milwaukee area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Milwaukee expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Milwaukee is 2% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($44,300 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Milwaukee?
The BLS median is $30.73 an hour in the Milwaukee area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $26.48 to $39.60.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Milwaukee?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $30,200 to $42,300 and premium work $48,400 to $60,500. 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 Milwaukee?
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 Milwaukee
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).