Gravel driveway cost in Houma, LA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,150 – $8,850
- Per sq ft
- $2.15 – $8.70
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −13%
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #279
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a gravel driveway in Houma, plan on $2,150 to $8,850 for 1,000 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $2.15 to $8.70 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 13% lower than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $17.74 an hour in the Houma area, 22% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Houma, LA, standard level
$4,150 to $6,850
About $4.10 to $6.75 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,200 | $3,600 |
| Labor | $1,950 | $3,100 |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $120 |
| Total | $4,150 | $6,850 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Houma, LA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,100 | $2,900 | $4,700 | 53% |
| Labor | $1,050 | $2,500 | $4,000 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $85 | $170 | 2% |
| Total | $2,150 | $5,500 | $8,850 | 100% |
What is behind the Houma number
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $17.74 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Houma is 0.80 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 46% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Houma metro is 93.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 1,000 sq ft comes to $2,900, compared with $3,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (85.1) and land at $0 to $170.
Climate in Houma: timing your gravel driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Houma (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through May is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Houma (9 of 12 months). June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Houma gets about 65 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (9.1 inches in July). Inside the workable window, April and December are the driest, at 4.0 and 4.2 inches. The station averages about 76 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 | 64 | 44 | 5.6 | Workable |
| Feb | 67 | 48 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Mar | 73 | 54 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 78 | 60 | 4.0 | Workable |
| May | 85 | 67 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 73 | 8.4 | Hot |
| Jul | 91 | 74 | 9.1 | Hot |
| Aug | 91 | 75 | 6.5 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 71 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 82 | 61 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 72 | 52 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 66 | 46 | 4.2 | Workable |
Houma labor market for gravel driveway
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Houma is 0.80 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $17.74 an hour, 22% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.80 and $21.44 an hour. About 880 work in the metro. That is 105.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 50%) the local median is $23.55 an hour, which is 18% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.25 and $28.47 an hour. BLS counts 710 of them working in the area, 85.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($21.44 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $260. At the 25th percentile ($16.80) it shrinks by about $65. The total moves by 4.7% or 1.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 83,440 jobs in the Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux area. That makes it the 230th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $16.80 | $17.74 | $21.44 | $22.66 | 0.78 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $22.25 | $23.55 | $28.47 | $28.78 | 0.82 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.80 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Houma
Because every project leans on different trades, Houma's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, asphalt driveway runs −10% and concrete driveway −14%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,750 – $6,600 | −10% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,150 – $7,900 | −14% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $530 – $1,850 | −12% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,350 – $2,950 | −11% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,150 – $4,600 | −11% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,750 | −12% |
How Houma compares
Same job, same size (1,000 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. New Orleans is the priciest of the group at $5,850.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houma, LAthis page | $2,150 – $8,850 | $5,500 | |
| New Orleans, LA75 miles | $2,300 – $9,400 | $5,850 | +6% |
| Baton Rouge, LA85 miles | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | +6% |
| Lafayette, LA90 miles | $2,200 – $9,000 | $5,600 | +1% |
| Slidell, LA90 miles | $2,200 – $9,000 | $5,600 | +2% |
| Gulfport, MS135 miles | $2,200 – $9,100 | $5,650 | +3% |
| Louisiana (statewide) | $2,200 – $9,050 | $5,650 | +2% |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | +15% |
Across 300 US metros, Houma comes in at #279 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $9,500; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $5,200 (midpoints, 1,000 sq ft). Statewide, Houma is 2% below the Louisiana figure.
Other Louisiana metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $2,300 – $9,400 | $5,850 | +6% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | +6% |
| Lafayette, LA | 179,570 jobs | $2,200 – $9,000 | $5,600 | +1% |
| Shreveport, LA | 162,750 jobs | $2,200 – $9,050 | $5,600 | +2% |
| Lake Charles, LA | 101,690 jobs | $2,300 – $9,300 | $5,800 | +5% |
| Slidell, LA | 98,240 jobs | $2,200 – $9,000 | $5,600 | +2% |
Cities with a workforce like Houma's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Houma against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $2,900 – $11,600 | $7,250 | +31% |
| Bowling Green, KY | 82,160 jobs | $2,400 – $9,750 | $6,050 | +10% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $2,700 – $11,000 | $6,850 | +24% |
| Hilton Head, SC | 81,920 jobs | $2,350 – $9,550 | $5,950 | +8% |
Gravel driveway: what moves the price in Houma
Depth and layers
A proper driveway is a 4-inch base plus a 2-inch top course. Each extra inch of stone adds weight in tons and money.
Labor share
HomeGuide puts labor at about 50% of a gravel driveway's total cost, so a longer or harder-to-reach site moves the price more than the stone does.
Grading and edging
Grading runs $1-$3 per sq ft. Edging to keep the stone in is $5-$18 per linear foot.
Extras that change the Houma total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Houma by the average of the local wage index (0.80) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 0.87. Tick any of them in the estimator above to add them to your total. Treat these as planning figures: an add-on touches different trades than the main job, so the scaling is an approximation.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add edging (approx. 1 ft per 10 sq ft) | $430 – $1,550 |
Cost by quality level and size in Houma
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Houma 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
$2,150 to $4,850
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$4,150 to $6,850
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$6,200 to $8,850
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,100 – $2,450 | $2,100 – $3,500 | $3,150 – $4,500 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,150 – $4,850 | $4,150 – $6,850 | $6,200 – $8,850 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,150 – $4,850 | $4,150 – $6,850 | $6,200 – $8,850 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $4,350 – $9,600 | $8,300 – $13,600 | $12,300 – $17,500 |
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 $4,150 to $6,850 for Houma, LA is attached.
Detailed gravel driveway report for Houma, LA, $9
Multi-page report for Houma, LA: 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.
Gravel driveway in Houma: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Houma?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,150 to $8,850 in the Houma area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,150 to $6,850. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Houma?
About $2.15 to $8.70 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $170 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $2.50 to $10.
+Is gravel driveway cheaper in Houma or New Orleans?
New Orleans is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $5,850, which is 6% more than Houma ($5,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Houma?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $2,500 out of $5,500. Materials are 53% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Houma?
$2,150 to $8,850. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Houma?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $170 for fees in the Houma area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Houma expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of Louisiana?
Houma is 2% below the Louisiana statewide estimate ($5,650 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Louisiana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Houma?
The BLS median is $17.74 an hour in the Houma area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $16.80 to $21.44.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Houma?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,150 to $4,850 and premium work $6,200 to $8,850. Basic means: crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground. Premium means: deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage.
+When is the best time to install a gravel driveway in Houma?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. April and December are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
+What does "add edging" add in Houma?
$430 to $1,550 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway near Houma
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 Gravel Driveway Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- CalculateGravel: Gravel Driveway Cost in 2026 (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: Installed range spans a basic spread-and-compact job ($2.50/sq ft low, CalculateGravel) to a full build with excavation ($10/sq ft high, HomeGuide). Materials low end is DIY stone ($1.20/sq ft, CalculateGravel); high end is half of HomeGuide's $10 because it says labor is about 50% of the project.