Gravel driveway cost in Syracuse, NY
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,550 – $10,400
- Per sq ft
- $2.55 – $10.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #107
- 1 = most expensive
A gravel driveway in Syracuse, NY usually costs $2,550 to $10,400 for 1,000 sq ft. That works out to about $2.55 to $10.50 per sq ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Construction laborers earn a median of $23.64 an hour in the Syracuse area, 4% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Syracuse, NY, standard level
$4,950 to $8,100
About $4.85 to $7.95 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,350 | $3,850 |
| Labor | $2,550 | $4,100 |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $130 |
| Total | $4,950 | $8,100 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Syracuse, NY
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,200 | $3,100 | $5,000 | 47% |
| Labor | $1,350 | $3,300 | $5,250 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $95 | $190 | 1% |
| Total | $2,550 | $6,500 | $10,400 | 100% |
Why Syracuse prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: construction laborers at 50%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 50%. Weighted together, Syracuse wages are 1.05 times the national level. Labor makes up about 51% of the midpoint estimate (50% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Syracuse is at 99.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,100 nationally becomes $3,100 here (midpoint, 1,000 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 95.7: $0 to $190.
Planning more than one job in Syracuse?
Jobs that often go together with gravel driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Syracuse wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (+7%) and sod installation lowest (+1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,100 – $7,600 | +3% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,800 – $9,600 | +4% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $640 – $2,250 | +7% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,300 | +1% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,500 – $5,300 | +2% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,150 – $5,700 | +5% |
Extras that change the Syracuse total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.03 for Syracuse, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.05) and goods price index (1.00). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add edging (approx. 1 ft per 10 sq ft) | $510 – $1,850 |
Why two Syracuse quotes can differ
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.
Stone is sold by weight
Stone is priced by the ton, so every extra inch of depth or foot of width adds loads of delivery.
What local crews earn in Syracuse
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 Syracuse the blend is 1.05.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $23.64 an hour, which is 4% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.52 and $34.90 an hour. BLS counts 1,660 of them working in the area, 55.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 50% of the weighting: a median of $30.68 an hour, 7% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $26.67 and $50.65 an hour. About 700 work in the metro. That is 23.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $780 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $150. That is a swing of roughly 2.3% to 12.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Syracuse has 300,130 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 85th 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% | $21.52 | $23.64 | $34.90 | $22.66 | 1.04 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $26.67 | $30.68 | $50.65 | $28.78 | 1.07 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.05 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: gravel driveway pricing in Syracuse
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Syracuse. 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
$2,550 to $5,700
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$4,950 to $8,100
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$7,300 to $10,400
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,300 – $2,900 | $2,500 – $4,100 | $3,700 – $5,300 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,550 – $5,700 | $4,950 – $8,100 | $7,300 – $10,400 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,550 – $5,700 | $4,950 – $8,100 | $7,300 – $10,400 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $5,150 – $11,400 | $9,800 – $16,000 | $14,500 – $20,700 |
Syracuse weather and the gravel driveway calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Syracuse Hancock Intl 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 Syracuse 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 132 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Syracuse gets about 40 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 128 inches of snow. The wettest months are July, August and October (3.9 inches in October). Inside the workable window, September and November are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 10 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 | 32 | 17 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 34 | 18 | 2.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 42 | 25 | 3.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 36 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 47 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 57 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 62 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 60 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 53 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 42 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 33 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 37 | 24 | 3.3 | Cold |
How Syracuse compares
Same job, same size (1,000 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Albany is the priciest of the group at $7,150. Scranton is the cheapest at $6,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse, NYthis page | $2,550 – $10,400 | $6,500 | |
| Utica, NY55 miles | $2,550 – $10,400 | $6,500 | level |
| Binghamton, NY60 miles | $2,550 – $10,400 | $6,500 | level |
| Rochester, NY70 miles | $2,600 – $10,500 | $6,550 | +1% |
| Albany, NY115 miles | $2,800 – $11,400 | $7,150 | +10% |
| Scranton, PA115 miles | $2,500 – $10,300 | $6,400 | −2% |
| New York (statewide) | $2,950 – $11,900 | $7,450 | +14% |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | −2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Syracuse ranks #107 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Syracuse is 12% below the New York figure.
Elsewhere in New York
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 9,492,000 jobs | $3,200 – $13,000 | $8,100 | +24% |
| Buffalo, NY | 534,550 jobs | $2,700 – $10,900 | $6,800 | +5% |
| Rochester, NY | 494,280 jobs | $2,600 – $10,500 | $6,550 | +1% |
| Albany, NY | 449,410 jobs | $2,800 – $11,400 | $7,150 | +10% |
| Poughkeepsie, NY | 268,970 jobs | $2,850 – $11,600 | $7,250 | +11% |
| Utica, NY | 118,390 jobs | $2,550 – $10,400 | $6,500 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Syracuse against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provo, UT | 304,660 jobs | $2,450 – $10,000 | $6,200 | −4% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $2,050 – $8,350 | $5,200 | −20% |
| Cape Coral, FL | 304,790 jobs | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,850 | −10% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,400 | −2% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed gravel driveway report for Syracuse, NY, $9
Multi-page report for Syracuse, NY: 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 Syracuse: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Syracuse?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,550 to $10,400 in the Syracuse area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,950 to $8,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Syracuse?
About $2.55 to $10.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $190 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $2.50 to $10.
+Is gravel driveway cheaper in Syracuse or Utica?
Utica is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $6,500, which is 0% less than Syracuse ($6,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Syracuse?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $3,300 out of $6,500. Materials are 47% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Syracuse?
$2,550 to $10,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Syracuse?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $190 for fees in the Syracuse area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Syracuse expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of New York?
Syracuse is 12% below the New York statewide estimate ($7,450 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in New York; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Syracuse?
The BLS median is $23.64 an hour in the Syracuse area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.52 to $34.90.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Syracuse?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,550 to $5,700 and premium work $7,300 to $10,400. 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 Syracuse?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. September and November 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 Syracuse?
$510 to $1,850 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway near Syracuse
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.