Gravel driveway cost in Appleton, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,850 – $11,500
- Per sq ft
- $2.85 – $11.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +13%
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #48
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a gravel driveway in Appleton, plan on $2,850 to $11,500 for 1,000 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $2.85 to $11.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 13% higher than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $28.49 an hour in the Appleton area, 26% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Appleton, WI, standard level
$5,450 to $8,900
About $5.40 to $8.75 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 58% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,200 | $3,600 |
| Labor | $3,200 | $5,150 |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $130 |
| Total | $5,450 | $8,900 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Appleton, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $2,900 | $4,700 | 41% |
| Labor | $1,700 | $4,150 | $6,600 | 58% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $90 | $180 | 1% |
| Total | $2,850 | $7,150 | $11,500 | 100% |
What is behind the Appleton 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, Appleton wages are 1.32 times the national level. Labor makes up about 58% of the midpoint estimate (50% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Appleton 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 (92.4) and land at $0 to $180.
Appleton against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
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 $6,600 to $7,150 across Appleton and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WIthis page | $2,850 – $11,500 | $7,150 | |
| Oshkosh, WI20 miles | $2,650 – $10,800 | $6,750 | −6% |
| Green Bay, WI20 miles | $2,700 – $11,000 | $6,850 | −4% |
| Sheboygan, WI50 miles | $2,600 – $10,600 | $6,600 | −8% |
| Wausau, WI80 miles | $2,850 – $11,500 | $7,150 | level |
| Milwaukee, WI100 miles | $2,800 – $11,200 | $7,000 | −2% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $2,700 – $11,000 | $6,850 | −4% |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | −11% |
Across 300 US metros, Appleton comes in at #48 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, Appleton is 4% above the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $2,800 – $11,200 | $7,000 | −2% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $2,800 – $11,400 | $7,100 | −1% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $2,700 – $11,000 | $6,850 | −4% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $2,650 – $10,800 | $6,750 | −6% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $2,750 – $11,100 | $6,950 | −3% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $2,700 – $11,000 | $6,850 | −4% |
Cities with a workforce like Appleton's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Appleton against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN | 124,710 jobs | $2,800 – $11,300 | $7,050 | −1% |
| Amarillo, TX | 123,930 jobs | $2,200 – $8,950 | $5,550 | −22% |
| Crestview, FL | 125,050 jobs | $2,300 – $9,450 | $5,850 | −18% |
| Rochester, MN | 122,980 jobs | $2,850 – $11,400 | $7,150 | −1% |
Cost by quality level and size in Appleton
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Appleton 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
$2,850 to $6,300
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$5,450 to $8,900
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$8,050 to $11,500
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,400 – $3,200 | $2,750 – $4,500 | $4,050 – $5,850 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,850 – $6,300 | $5,450 – $8,900 | $8,050 – $11,500 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,850 – $6,300 | $5,450 – $8,900 | $8,050 – $11,500 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $5,700 – $12,500 | $10,800 – $17,700 | $15,900 – $22,800 |
Climate in Appleton: timing your gravel driveway job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Appleton (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Appleton (7 of 12 months). January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, November 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 157 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Appleton gets about 33 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 49 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.7 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.2 and 2.8 inches. The station averages about 6 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 | 25 | 10 | 1.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 29 | 12 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 22 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 34 | 3.2 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 46 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 57 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 61 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 79 | 60 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 51 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 39 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 43 | 28 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Dec | 31 | 17 | 1.8 | Cold |
Gravel driveway: what moves the price in Appleton
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.
What nearby projects cost in Appleton
Because every project leans on different trades, Appleton's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +18% and sod installation +4%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,300 – $8,350 | +12% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,050 – $10,500 | +13% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $710 – $2,450 | +18% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,550 – $3,400 | +4% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,650 – $5,450 | +6% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,350 – $6,100 | +12% |
Add-ons priced for Appleton
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Appleton by the average of the local wage index (1.32) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 1.13. 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) | $560 – $2,050 |
Appleton 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 Appleton is 1.32 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $28.49 an hour, 26% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.86 and $36.28 an hour. About 1,030 work in the metro. That is 82.9 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 $39.91 an hour, which is 39% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $32.49 and $45.77 an hour. BLS counts 480 of them working in the area, 38.6 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 ($36.28 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $540. At the 25th percentile ($21.86) it shrinks by about $460. The total moves by 7.6% or 6.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 124,230 jobs in the Appleton area. That makes it the 174th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.08% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $21.86 | $28.49 | $36.28 | $22.66 | 1.26 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $32.49 | $39.91 | $45.77 | $28.78 | 1.39 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.32 | |||||
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 $5,450 to $8,900 for Appleton, WI is attached.
Detailed gravel driveway report for Appleton, WI, $9
Multi-page report for Appleton, WI: 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 Appleton: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Appleton?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,850 to $11,500 in the Appleton area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,450 to $8,900. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Appleton?
About $2.85 to $11.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $180 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $2.50 to $10.
+Is gravel driveway cheaper in Appleton or Oshkosh?
Oshkosh is 20 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $6,750, which is 6% less than Appleton ($7,150). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Appleton?
About 58% at the midpoint, or $4,150 out of $7,150. Materials are 41% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Appleton?
$2,850 to $11,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Appleton?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $180 for fees in the Appleton area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Appleton expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Appleton is 4% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($6,850 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Appleton?
The BLS median is $28.49 an hour in the Appleton area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.86 to $36.28.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Appleton?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,850 to $6,300 and premium work $8,050 to $11,500. 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 Appleton?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April 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.
+What does "add edging" add in Appleton?
$560 to $2,050 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway near Appleton
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.