Gravel driveway cost in Brownsville, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,050 – $8,400
- Per sq ft
- $2.05 – $8.25
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −18%
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #299
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a gravel driveway in Brownsville, plan on $2,050 to $8,400 for 1,000 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $2.05 to $8.25 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 18% lower than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $16.90 an hour in the Brownsville area, 25% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Brownsville, TX, standard level
$3,950 to $6,500
About $3.90 to $6.40 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,200 | $3,600 |
| Labor | $1,700 | $2,750 |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $120 |
| Total | $3,950 | $6,500 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Brownsville, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $2,900 | $4,700 | 56% |
| Labor | $920 | $2,250 | $3,550 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $85 | $170 | 2% |
| Total | $2,050 | $5,200 | $8,400 | 100% |
What is behind the Brownsville number
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, Brownsville wages are 0.71 times the national level. Labor makes up about 43% of the midpoint estimate (50% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Brownsville metro is 93.8 (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 (86.0) and land at $0 to $170.
Optional extras in Brownsville
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Brownsville by the average of the local wage index (0.71) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 0.82. 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) | $410 – $1,500 |
Is Brownsville cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Brownsville. McAllen is the lowest at about $5,200 (midpoint, 1,000 sq ft), 50 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brownsville, TXthis page | $2,050 – $8,400 | $5,200 | |
| McAllen, TX50 miles | $2,050 – $8,350 | $5,200 | −1% |
| Corpus Christi, TX125 miles | $2,250 – $9,150 | $5,700 | +9% |
| Laredo, TX160 miles | $2,100 – $8,600 | $5,350 | +2% |
| San Antonio, TX240 miles | $2,200 – $9,000 | $5,600 | +7% |
| Austin, TX285 miles | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | +11% |
| Texas (statewide) | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | +11% |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | +22% |
Across 300 US metros, Brownsville comes in at #299 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, Brownsville is 10% below the Texas figure.
Other Texas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $2,400 – $9,850 | $6,100 | +17% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $2,350 – $9,550 | $5,950 | +14% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | +11% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $2,200 – $9,000 | $5,600 | +7% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $2,100 – $8,650 | $5,400 | +3% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $2,050 – $8,350 | $5,200 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Brownsville's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Brownsville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $2,650 – $10,700 | $6,650 | +28% |
| Hickory, NC | 154,090 jobs | $2,300 – $9,350 | $5,800 | +11% |
| Gulfport, MS | 158,310 jobs | $2,200 – $9,100 | $5,650 | +8% |
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $2,200 – $9,100 | $5,650 | +8% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: gravel driveway pricing in Brownsville
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Brownsville 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
$2,050 to $4,600
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$3,950 to $6,500
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$5,850 to $8,400
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,000 – $2,350 | $2,000 – $3,300 | $3,000 – $4,300 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,050 – $4,600 | $3,950 – $6,500 | $5,850 – $8,400 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,050 – $4,600 | $3,950 – $6,500 | $5,850 – $8,400 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $4,100 – $9,100 | $7,850 – $12,900 | $11,600 – $16,600 |
Brownsville 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 Brownsville is 0.71 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $16.90 an hour, 25% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $14.33 and $18.88 an hour. About 460 work in the metro. That is 29.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 50%) the local median is $19.32 an hour, which is 33% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $17.58 and $22.10 an hour. BLS counts 330 of them working in the area, 21.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($18.88 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $140. At the 25th percentile ($14.33) it shrinks by about $180. The total moves by 2.6% or 3.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 157,450 jobs in the Brownsville-Harlingen area. That makes it the 151st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.10% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $14.33 | $16.90 | $18.88 | $22.66 | 0.75 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $17.58 | $19.32 | $22.10 | $28.78 | 0.67 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.71 | |||||
Climate in Brownsville: timing your gravel driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Brownsville (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
October through April is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Brownsville (7 of 12 months). May, June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Brownsville gets about 27 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (5.7 inches in September). Inside the workable window, January and February are the driest, at 1.1 and 1.0 inches. The station averages about 140 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 | 73 | 53 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 76 | 57 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 81 | 62 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 86 | 68 | 1.5 | Workable |
| May | 90 | 74 | 2.2 | Hot |
| Jun | 94 | 77 | 2.9 | Hot |
| Jul | 95 | 78 | 2.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 96 | 78 | 2.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 92 | 75 | 5.7 | Hot |
| Oct | 87 | 69 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 80 | 61 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 74 | 55 | 1.2 | Workable |
Gravel driveway: what moves the price in Brownsville
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.
Planning more than one job in Brownsville?
Because every project leans on different trades, Brownsville's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, asphalt driveway runs −13% and concrete driveway −18%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,700 – $6,400 | −13% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,050 – $7,500 | −18% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $510 – $1,800 | −15% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,250 – $2,750 | −17% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,100 – $4,500 | −14% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,550 – $4,600 | −16% |
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 $3,950 to $6,500 for Brownsville, TX is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Brownsville, TX: 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 Brownsville: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Brownsville?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,050 to $8,400 in the Brownsville area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,950 to $6,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Brownsville?
About $2.05 to $8.25 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 Brownsville or McAllen?
McAllen is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $5,200, which is 1% less than Brownsville ($5,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Brownsville?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $2,250 out of $5,200. Materials are 56% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Brownsville?
$2,050 to $8,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Brownsville?
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 Brownsville area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Brownsville expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of Texas?
Brownsville is 10% below the Texas statewide estimate ($5,800 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Brownsville?
The BLS median is $16.90 an hour in the Brownsville area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $14.33 to $18.88.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Brownsville?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,050 to $4,600 and premium work $5,850 to $8,400. 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 Brownsville?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through April. January and February 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 Brownsville?
$410 to $1,500 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway near Brownsville
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.