Wood deck cost in McAllen, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (300 sq ft)
- $6,250 – $12,600
- Per sq ft
- $21 – $41.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −17%
- US $11,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #297
- 1 = most expensive
A wood deck in McAllen, TX usually costs $6,250 to $12,600 for 300 sq ft. That works out to about $21 to $41.50 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $1,900 less. Carpenters earn a median of $19.97 an hour in the McAllen area, 31% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 300 sq ft in McAllen, TX, standard level
$8,150 to $10,700
About $27 to $35.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 36% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $5,100 | $6,700 |
| Labor | $3,000 | $3,900 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $100 |
| Total | $8,150 | $10,700 |
Cost breakdown for 300 sq ft in McAllen, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,950 | $5,900 | $7,900 | 63% |
| Labor | $2,300 | $3,450 | $4,600 | 36% |
| Permits and fees | $45 | $85 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $6,250 | $9,450 | $12,600 | 100% |
Why McAllen prices look the way they do
Labor is 36% of the midpoint bill here, against 44% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (80%), construction laborers (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In McAllen the blended ratio comes out at 0.69.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. McAllen is at 93.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $6,300 nationally becomes $5,900 here (midpoint, 300 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 85.9: $45 to $130.
Related projects, priced for McAllen
Jobs that often go together with wood deck are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same McAllen wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, paver patio comes out highest (−16%) and composite deck lowest (−21%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite deck | 300 sq ft | $9,550 – $19,100 | −21% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,050 – $3,150 | −20% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,550 – $4,600 | −16% |
| Detached garage | 576 sq ft | $23,900 – $48,000 | −17% |
Is McAllen cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (300 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Austin is the priciest of the group at $10,200. Brownsville is the cheapest at $9,050.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| McAllen, TXthis page | $6,250 – $12,600 | $9,450 | |
| Brownsville, TX50 miles | $6,050 – $12,100 | $9,050 | −4% |
| Corpus Christi, TX115 miles | $6,650 – $13,300 | $10,000 | +6% |
| Laredo, TX120 miles | $6,250 – $12,600 | $9,400 | level |
| San Antonio, TX210 miles | $6,650 – $13,400 | $10,000 | +6% |
| Austin, TX270 miles | $6,800 – $13,600 | $10,200 | +8% |
| Texas (statewide) | $6,850 – $13,800 | $10,300 | +9% |
| United States | $7,550 – $15,200 | $11,400 | +20% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, McAllen ranks #297 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, McAllen is 9% below the Texas figure.
Elsewhere in Texas
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $7,100 – $14,300 | $10,700 | +13% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $7,000 – $14,100 | $10,600 | +12% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $6,800 – $13,600 | $10,200 | +8% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $6,650 – $13,400 | $10,000 | +6% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $6,350 – $12,700 | $9,500 | +1% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $6,650 – $13,300 | $10,000 | +6% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is McAllen against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse, NY | 300,130 jobs | $7,650 – $15,300 | $11,500 | +22% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $7,350 – $14,700 | $11,000 | +17% |
| Provo, UT | 304,660 jobs | $7,050 – $14,200 | $10,600 | +13% |
| Stockton, CA | 289,660 jobs | $8,300 – $16,600 | $12,500 | +32% |
McAllen weather and the wood deck calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Mcallen Miller Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in McAllen are October through April: 7 of 12. Outside them, May, June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
McAllen gets about 22 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (4.6 inches in September). Inside the workable window, January and February are the driest, at 0.8 and 0.7 inches. The station averages about 177 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 | 73 | 53 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 77 | 57 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Mar | 83 | 63 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 88 | 68 | 1.4 | Workable |
| May | 93 | 74 | 2.0 | Hot |
| Jun | 97 | 78 | 3.0 | Hot |
| Jul | 99 | 79 | 2.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 100 | 79 | 1.8 | Hot |
| Sep | 94 | 76 | 4.6 | Hot |
| Oct | 89 | 69 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 80 | 60 | 1.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 74 | 54 | 1.1 | Workable |
What local crews earn in McAllen
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 McAllen the blend is 0.69.
Carpenters (47-2031), 80% of the weighting: a median of $19.97 an hour, 31% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $17.40 and $21.94 an hour. About 310 work in the metro. That is 10.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $16.57 an hour, which is 27% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $14.08 and $18.08 an hour. BLS counts 1,360 of them working in the area, 45.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $270 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $350. That is a swing of roughly 3.7% to 2.8% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission has 296,700 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 86th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 80% | $17.40 | $19.97 | $21.94 | $29.12 | 0.69 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $14.08 | $16.57 | $18.08 | $22.66 | 0.73 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.69 | |||||
Wood deck: what moves the price in McAllen
Permit
Deck permits average $50-$150. Many cities skip the permit for small, low, freestanding decks.
Wood species
Pressure-treated pine is the cheapest at $25-$50 per sq ft installed. Ipe runs $50-$70 and bamboo $27-$52 (HomeGuide).
Height and stairs
A second-story deck needs more structure. New stairs run $1,400-$2,600 installed.
McAllen: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to McAllen. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 10x12 (120 sq ft) to 20x20 (400 sq ft).
Basic
$6,250 to $8,800
Pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle
Standard
$8,150 to $10,700
Cedar or upgraded pine, stairs and a railing
Premium
$10,100 to $12,600
Hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10x12 (120 sq ft) | $2,550 – $3,550 | $3,300 – $4,350 | $4,100 – $5,100 |
| 12x12 (144 sq ft) | $3,050 – $4,250 | $3,950 – $5,200 | $4,900 – $6,100 |
| 16x20 (320 sq ft) | $6,700 – $9,400 | $8,700 – $11,400 | $10,700 – $13,400 |
| 20x20 (400 sq ft) | $8,350 – $11,700 | $10,900 – $14,200 | $13,400 – $16,700 |
Optional extras in McAllen
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.82 for McAllen, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.69) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add stairs (flat) | $1,150 – $2,100 |
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 $8,150 to $10,700 for McAllen, TX is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for McAllen, 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.
Wood deck in McAllen: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a wood deck in McAllen?
For 300 sq ft, expect $6,250 to $12,600 in the McAllen area. A standard-spec job lands at $8,150 to $10,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for wood deck in McAllen?
About $21 to $41.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $45 to $130 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $50.
+Is wood deck cheaper in McAllen or Brownsville?
Brownsville is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 300 sq ft there is $9,050, which is 4% less than McAllen ($9,450). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in McAllen?
About 36% at the midpoint, or $3,450 out of $9,450. Materials are 63% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 44%.
+What would 16x20 (320 sq ft) cost in McAllen?
$6,700 to $13,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood deck need a permit in McAllen?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $45 to $130 for fees in the McAllen area (our national range of $50 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is McAllen expensive for wood deck compared with the rest of Texas?
McAllen is 9% below the Texas statewide estimate ($10,300 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in McAllen?
The BLS median is $19.97 an hour in the McAllen area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.40 to $21.94.
+What do basic and premium wood deck work cost in McAllen?
For 300 sq ft, basic work runs $6,250 to $8,800 and premium work $10,100 to $12,600. Basic means: pressure-treated pine, low to the ground, simple rectangle. Premium means: hardwood decking, multi-level, built-in features.
+When is the best time to build a wood deck in McAllen?
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 stairs" add in McAllen?
$1,150 to $2,100, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood deck near McAllen
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 It Cost to Build a Deck? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does Composite Decking Cost? (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