Stamped concrete cost in Houston, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (400 sq ft)
- $3,050 – $7,300
- Per sq ft
- $7.45 – $17.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −8%
- US $5,600
- Rank of 300 metros
- #197
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to pour stamped concrete in Houston, plan on $3,050 to $7,300 for 400 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $7.45 to $17.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 8% lower than the national one. Cement masons and concrete finishers earn a median of $22.40 an hour in the Houston area, 18% below the US median of $27.41.
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Estimated cost for 400 sq ft in Houston, TX, standard level
$4,300 to $6,050
About $10.50 to $14.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 44% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,350 | $3,100 |
| Labor | $1,850 | $2,700 |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $260 |
| Total | $4,300 | $6,050 |
Cost breakdown for 400 sq ft in Houston, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,800 | $2,700 | $3,600 | 52% |
| Labor | $1,150 | $2,250 | $3,350 | 44% |
| Permits and fees | $50 | $200 | $350 | 4% |
| Total | $3,050 | $5,200 | $7,300 | 100% |
Where the Houston price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: cement masons and concrete finishers at 60%, construction laborers at 30%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 10%. Weighted together, Houston wages are 0.84 times the national level. Labor makes up about 44% of the midpoint estimate (48% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Houston metro is 100.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 400 sq ft comes to $2,700, compared with $2,700 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (98.6) and land at $50 to $350.
How Houston compares
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 400 sq ft range from $4,800 to $5,200 across Houston and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TXthis page | $3,050 – $7,300 | $5,200 | |
| Beaumont, TX70 miles | $2,950 – $7,250 | $5,100 | −2% |
| College Station, TX95 miles | $2,800 – $6,800 | $4,800 | −7% |
| Lake Charles, LA130 miles | $2,950 – $7,200 | $5,100 | −2% |
| Austin, TX140 miles | $3,000 – $7,250 | $5,100 | −1% |
| Waco, TX170 miles | $2,850 – $6,850 | $4,850 | −7% |
| Texas (statewide) | $3,000 – $7,250 | $5,100 | −1% |
| United States | $3,250 – $7,950 | $5,600 | +8% |
Across 300 US metros, Houston comes in at #197 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $8,150; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $4,550 (midpoints, 400 sq ft). Statewide, Houston is 1% above the Texas figure.
Other Texas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $3,150 – $7,600 | $5,350 | +3% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $3,000 – $7,250 | $5,100 | −1% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $2,900 – $7,000 | $4,950 | −4% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $2,800 – $6,650 | $4,700 | −9% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $2,700 – $6,450 | $4,550 | −12% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $2,950 – $7,200 | $5,100 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Houston's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Houston against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $3,150 – $7,600 | $5,350 | +3% |
| Washington, DC | 3,136,190 jobs | $3,350 – $8,250 | $5,800 | +12% |
| Chicago, IL | 4,513,280 jobs | $3,950 – $9,850 | $6,900 | +34% |
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $3,350 – $8,250 | $5,800 | +12% |
Houston labor market for stamped concrete
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Houston is 0.84 times the national level.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 60%) the local median is $22.40 an hour, which is 18% below the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $18.65 and $26.83 an hour. BLS counts 7,700 of them working in the area, 23.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 30% of the weighting: a median of $19.88 an hour, 12% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.82 and $22.88 an hour. About 34,080 work in the metro. That is 103.6 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 10%) the local median is $24.54 an hour, which is 15% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.50 and $29.76 an hour. BLS counts 14,000 of them working in the area, 42.6 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 cement masons and concrete finishers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($26.83 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $260. At the 25th percentile ($18.65) it shrinks by about $220. The total moves by 5.1% or 4.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 3,289,720 jobs in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands area. That makes it the 5th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 2.12% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 60% | $18.65 | $22.40 | $26.83 | $27.41 | 0.82 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $17.82 | $19.88 | $22.88 | $22.66 | 0.88 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10% | $22.50 | $24.54 | $29.76 | $28.78 | 0.85 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.84 | |||||
Climate in Houston: timing your stamped concrete job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Houston Hobby Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through May is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Houston (9 of 12 months). June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in June, July and August, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Houston gets about 56 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (6.1 inches in June). Inside the workable window, February and March are the driest, at 2.9 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 101 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 | 46 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 68 | 50 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Mar | 73 | 56 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 79 | 62 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 86 | 69 | 5.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 91 | 75 | 6.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 93 | 77 | 4.6 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 77 | 5.4 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 73 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 82 | 64 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 73 | 54 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 66 | 48 | 4.3 | Workable |
Cost by quality level and size in Houston
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Houston 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 3 common sizes.
Basic
$3,050 to $4,750
Basic pattern, one integral color
Standard
$4,300 to $6,050
Two-tone color release and a border
Premium
$5,600 to $7,300
Multi-color, hand-detailed, sealed to a high finish
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x20 patio (200 sq ft) | $1,550 – $2,450 | $2,250 – $3,150 | $2,900 – $3,850 |
| 20x20 patio (400 sq ft) | $3,050 – $4,750 | $4,300 – $6,050 | $5,600 – $7,300 |
| 2-car driveway (600 sq ft) | $4,550 – $7,050 | $6,400 – $8,950 | $8,300 – $10,800 |
Extras that change the Houston total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Houston by the average of the local wage index (0.84) and goods index (1.01), a factor of 0.92. 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 a vapor barrier | $180 – $370 |
What nearby projects cost in Houston
Because every project leans on different trades, Houston's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, asphalt driveway runs −5% and concrete driveway −11%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,200 – $3,650 | −8% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,300 – $8,150 | −11% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,100 | −6% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,250 – $4,900 | −6% |
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,950 – $7,000 | −5% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,350 – $9,550 | −6% |
Why two Houston quotes can differ
Pattern and color
Basic to average coloring runs $8-$19 per sq ft. A 2-car stamped driveway runs $12-$18 per sq ft (HomeGuide); Estimators.us puts decorative slabs at $15-$30.
Specialist labor
Stamping has to be done before the concrete sets, so crews arrive in larger teams and charge for it.
Sealing and vapor barrier
Sealer is usually quoted separately; vapor barrier material is $0.20-$1.50 per sq ft depending on thickness (HomeGuide).
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 $4,300 to $6,050 for Houston, TX is attached.
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Stamped concrete in Houston: your questions
+How much does it cost to pour stamped concrete in Houston?
For 400 sq ft, expect $3,050 to $7,300 in the Houston area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,300 to $6,050. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for stamped concrete in Houston?
About $7.45 to $17.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $50 to $350 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $8 to $19.
+Is stamped concrete cheaper in Houston or Beaumont?
Beaumont is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 400 sq ft there is $5,100, which is 2% less than Houston ($5,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Houston?
About 44% at the midpoint, or $2,250 out of $5,200. Materials are 52% and permits 4%. Nationally, labor is 48%.
+What would 20x20 patio (400 sq ft) cost in Houston?
$3,050 to $7,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does stamped concrete need a permit in Houston?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $50 to $350 for fees in the Houston area (our national range of $50 to $350 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Houston expensive for stamped concrete compared with the rest of Texas?
Houston is 1% above the Texas statewide estimate ($5,100 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do cement masons and concrete finishers earn in Houston?
The BLS median is $22.40 an hour in the Houston area, compared with $27.41 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.65 to $26.83.
+What do basic and premium stamped concrete work cost in Houston?
For 400 sq ft, basic work runs $3,050 to $4,750 and premium work $5,600 to $7,300. Basic means: basic pattern, one integral color. Premium means: multi-color, hand-detailed, sealed to a high finish.
+When is the best time to pour stamped concrete in Houston?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. February and March 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 a vapor barrier" add in Houston?
$180 to $370 for 400 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Stamped concrete near Houston
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 Stamped Concrete Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- SimplyWise: Concrete Estimate Template: Free PDF + Excel (2026) (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: Materials = SimplyWise's 200 sq ft stamped-patio line ($900-$1,800), divided by 200 sq ft.