Gravel driveway cost in Barnstable, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,800 – $11,300
- Per sq ft
- $2.80 – $11
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +11%
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #61
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a gravel driveway in the Barnstable area: $2,800 to $11,300 for 1,000 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 11% higher than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $28.87 an hour in the Barnstable area, 27% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Barnstable, MA, standard level
$5,350 to $8,750
About $5.25 to $8.60 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 56% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $3,750 |
| Labor | $3,000 | $4,850 |
| Permits and fees | $60 | $140 |
| Total | $5,350 | $8,750 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Barnstable, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $3,000 | $4,850 | 43% |
| Labor | $1,600 | $3,950 | $6,250 | 56% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $100 | $200 | 1% |
| Total | $2,800 | $7,050 | $11,300 | 100% |
Why Barnstable prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $28.87 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Barnstable is 1.25 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 56% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Barnstable is at 97.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,100 nationally becomes $3,000 here (midpoint, 1,000 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 98.4: $0 to $200.
Related projects, priced for Barnstable
Jobs that often go together with gravel driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Barnstable wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (+20%) and concrete slab lowest (+6%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,200 – $7,950 | +7% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,000 – $10,300 | +11% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $680 – $2,400 | +14% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,650 – $3,650 | +11% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,650 – $5,450 | +6% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,600 – $6,550 | +20% |
Is Barnstable cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 1,000 sq ft range from $6,300 to $7,350 across Barnstable and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable, MAthis page | $2,800 – $11,300 | $7,050 | |
| Providence, RI60 miles | $2,750 – $11,100 | $6,950 | −1% |
| Boston, MA70 miles | $2,900 – $11,800 | $7,350 | +4% |
| Worcester, MA100 miles | $2,850 – $11,500 | $7,200 | +2% |
| Norwich, CT100 miles | $2,600 – $10,600 | $6,600 | −6% |
| Manchester, NH115 miles | $2,500 – $10,100 | $6,300 | −10% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $2,900 – $11,700 | $7,300 | +4% |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | −10% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Barnstable ranks #61 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Barnstable is 4% below the Massachusetts figure.
Elsewhere in Massachusetts
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $2,900 – $11,800 | $7,350 | +4% |
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $2,850 – $11,500 | $7,200 | +2% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $2,800 – $11,400 | $7,100 | +1% |
| Amherst, MA | 65,670 jobs | $2,700 – $10,900 | $6,800 | −3% |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $2,600 – $10,500 | $6,550 | −7% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Barnstable against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $2,200 – $9,050 | $5,650 | −20% |
| Billings, MT | 93,800 jobs | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | −10% |
| Fort Smith, AR | 95,560 jobs | $2,100 – $8,550 | $5,300 | −24% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $2,450 – $9,950 | $6,200 | −12% |
Why two Barnstable quotes can differ
Permit
A driveway permit is typically $50-$200 where one is needed for a new curb cut or connection; plenty of rural counties require none.
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.
Extras that change the Barnstable total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.11 for Barnstable, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.25) and goods price index (0.97). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add edging (approx. 1 ft per 10 sq ft) | $550 – $2,000 |
Who does the work: Barnstable trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 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 Barnstable the blend is 1.25.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $28.87 an hour, which is 27% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.38 and $34.67 an hour. BLS counts 750 of them working in the area, 79.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 50% of the weighting: a median of $35.06 an hour, 22% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.99 and $38.51 an hour. About 400 work in the metro. That is 42.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $400 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $380. That is a swing of roughly 5.4% to 5.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Barnstable Town has 94,110 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 212th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $23.38 | $28.87 | $34.67 | $22.66 | 1.27 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $29.99 | $35.06 | $38.51 | $28.78 | 1.22 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.25 | |||||
The best months for gravel driveway in Barnstable
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Hyannis Barnstable Muni Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For digging, grading and setting material in the ground, the comfortable months in Barnstable are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March and December the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 109 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Barnstable gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are March, October and December (4.7 inches in December). Inside the workable window, June and July are the driest, at 3.1 and 2.7 inches. The station averages about 2 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 | 40 | 24 | 3.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 41 | 25 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 30 | 4.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 39 | 3.9 | Workable |
| May | 65 | 48 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 74 | 58 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 65 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 63 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 56 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 46 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 54 | 37 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 45 | 29 | 4.7 | Cold |
Barnstable: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Barnstable. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from single car (500 sq ft) to long rural (2,000 sq ft).
Basic
$2,800 to $6,200
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$5,350 to $8,750
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$7,900 to $11,300
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,400 – $3,150 | $2,700 – $4,450 | $4,000 – $5,750 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,800 – $6,200 | $5,350 – $8,750 | $7,900 – $11,300 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,800 – $6,200 | $5,350 – $8,750 | $7,900 – $11,300 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $5,550 – $12,300 | $10,600 – $17,300 | $15,600 – $22,400 |
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 $5,350 to $8,750 for Barnstable, MA is attached.
Detailed gravel driveway report for Barnstable, MA, $9
Multi-page report for Barnstable, MA: 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 Barnstable: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Barnstable?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,800 to $11,300 in the Barnstable area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,350 to $8,750. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Barnstable?
About $2.80 to $11 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $200 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $2.50 to $10.
+Is gravel driveway cheaper in Barnstable or Providence?
Providence is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $6,950, which is 1% less than Barnstable ($7,050). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Barnstable?
About 56% at the midpoint, or $3,950 out of $7,050. Materials are 43% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Barnstable?
$2,800 to $11,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Barnstable?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $200 for fees in the Barnstable area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Barnstable expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Barnstable is 4% below the Massachusetts statewide estimate ($7,300 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Massachusetts; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Barnstable?
The BLS median is $28.87 an hour in the Barnstable area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.38 to $34.67.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Barnstable?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,800 to $6,200 and premium work $7,900 to $11,300. 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 Barnstable?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. June and July 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 Barnstable?
$550 to $2,000 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway near Barnstable
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.