Home project costs in California
Statewide ranges for 38 projects, using California wages (BLS) and regional prices (BEA). Pick a city below for local prices.
On BEA's regional price index, California is number 1 of 51 (50 states and DC) at 110.7, with 100 as the US average. Goods prices come in at 106.1, rank 6. The state has 18,213,700 jobs in the BLS survey.
Statewide, 38 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 0 below. The biggest premiums are French drain (+23%), asphalt driveway (+22%) and gravel driveway (+21%); the lowest are attic insulation (+6%), kitchen backsplash (+7%) and tile flooring (+7%).
Weather across the 23 metros we cover: January average lows of 36 to 48°F, July average highs of 66 to 107°F and 3 to 34 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).
Cities in California
- Los Angeles, CAall projects
- San Francisco, CAall projects
- Riverside, CAall projects
- San Diego, CAall projects
- San Jose, CAall projects
- Sacramento, CAall projects
- Fresno, CAall projects
- Bakersfield, CAall projects
- Oxnard, CAall projects
- Stockton, CAall projects
- Santa Rosa, CAall projects
- Santa Maria, CAall projects
- Modesto, CAall projects
- Salinas, CAall projects
- Visalia, CAall projects
- Vallejo, CAall projects
- San Luis Obispo, CAall projects
- Santa Cruz, CAall projects
- Merced, CAall projects
- Chico, CAall projects
- Napa, CAall projects
- Redding, CAall projects
- El Centro, CAall projects
How the metros in California compare
Inside California, San Francisco is the priciest of the 23 metros we cover at +26% against the US midpoint (averaged over all 38 projects), and Visalia the cheapest at +5%. That is a gap of 20.7 percentage points between the two. Part of that gap is wages and part is materials, so check the individual city pages for the job you have in mind.
| Metro | Jobs | Price index | Goods index | All projects vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 | 115.6 | 108.5 | +26% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 | 110.4 | 105.2 | +23% |
| Napa, CA | 77,860 | 112.6 | 105.2 | +15% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 205,260 | 107.8 | 105.2 | +15% |
| Vallejo, CA | 144,130 | 108.5 | 105.2 | +14% |
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 | 113.6 | 106.6 | +13% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 | 111.9 | 108.0 | +13% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 | 106.7 | 105.2 | +12% |
| Modesto, CA | 195,230 | 104.1 | 105.2 | +12% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 98,500 | 109.9 | 105.2 | +12% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | 122,020 | 108.6 | 105.2 | +12% |
| Salinas, CA | 186,430 | 109.0 | 105.2 | +11% |
| Oxnard, CA | 323,890 | 110.5 | 105.2 | +11% |
| Santa Maria, CA | 200,760 | 108.8 | 105.2 | +11% |
| Stockton, CA | 289,660 | 105.1 | 105.2 | +10% |
| Merced, CA | 79,510 | 98.3 | 105.2 | +9% |
| Redding, CA | 71,550 | 100.7 | 105.2 | +9% |
| El Centro, CA | 65,430 | 95.2 | 105.2 | +9% |
| Chico, CA | 78,220 | 101.2 | 105.2 | +9% |
| Bakersfield, CA | 338,230 | 100.9 | 105.2 | +9% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 | 106.4 | 101.4 | +8% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 | 102.2 | 105.2 | +7% |
| Visalia, CA | 171,140 | 99.8 | 105.2 | +5% |
What trades earn in California
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $23.15 | $28.98 | $37.75 | $22.66 | 1.28 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $28.72 | $36.50 | $46.07 | $29.12 | 1.25 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $31.36 | $41.90 | $60.37 | $28.78 | 1.46 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $28.36 | $35.01 | $48.17 | $30.67 | 1.14 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $24.73 | $30.15 | $40.42 | $27.41 | 1.10 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $28.50 | $36.62 | $49.52 | $30.38 | 1.21 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | $22.86 | $28.31 | $35.61 | $26.77 | 1.06 |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $28.57 | $30.58 | $36.27 | $26.65 | 1.15 |
Concrete & paving in California
The 7 jobs here average +16% versus the US in California, from +12% (concrete slab) to +22% (asphalt driveway).
| Project | Size | California range | US midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in California | 400 sq ft | $2,750 – $5,800 | $3,850 |
| Concrete driveway cost in California | 600 sq ft | $4,200 – $10,700 | $6,450 |
| Asphalt driveway cost in California | 600 sq ft | $3,650 – $9,100 | $5,250 |
| Gravel driveway cost in California | 1,000 sq ft | $3,050 – $12,400 | $6,350 |
| Paver patio cost in California | 300 sq ft | $3,450 – $6,300 | $4,250 |
| Concrete patio cost in California | 300 sq ft | $1,400 – $4,600 | $2,650 |
| Stamped concrete cost in California | 400 sq ft | $3,650 – $8,950 | $5,600 |
Decks & outdoor in California
The 2 jobs here average +16% versus the US in California, from +15% (wood deck) to +18% (composite deck).
| Project | Size | California range | US midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in California | 300 sq ft | $8,650 – $17,400 | $11,400 |
| Composite deck cost in California | 300 sq ft | $14,200 – $28,500 | $18,100 |
Building & additions in California
Across these 2 projects, California averages +15% against national midpoints. Home addition is highest at +15% and detached garage lowest at +14%.
| Project | Size | California range | US midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in California | 576 sq ft | $33,000 – $66,200 | $43,500 |
| Home addition cost in California | 300 sq ft | $43,800 – $88,800 | $57,500 |
Doors & windows in California
The 5 jobs here average +11% versus the US in California, from +9% (window replacement) to +13% (storm door).
| Project | Size | California range | US midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in California | 1 door | $790 – $4,100 | $2,200 |
| Storm door cost in California | 1 door | $400 – $1,050 | $650 |
| Front door cost in California | 1 door | $580 – $2,750 | $1,500 |
| Window replacement cost in California | 10 windows | $4,950 – $16,400 | $9,750 |
| Patio door cost in California | 1 door | $670 – $6,800 | $3,300 |
Fencing in California
The 4 jobs here average +14% versus the US in California, from +11% (vinyl fence) to +19% (chain-link fence).
| Project | Size | California range | US midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in California | 150 linear ft | $3,550 – $8,750 | $5,350 |
| Vinyl fence cost in California | 150 linear ft | $4,950 – $10,200 | $6,850 |
| Chain-link fence cost in California | 150 linear ft | $1,750 – $7,350 | $3,850 |
| Aluminum fence cost in California | 150 linear ft | $4,300 – $12,900 | $7,600 |
Roofing & exterior in California
The 5 jobs here average +12% versus the US in California, from +6% (attic insulation) to +16% (vinyl siding).
| Project | Size | California range | US midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in California | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,950 – $14,000 | $9,300 |
| Metal roof cost in California | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $11,700 – $36,400 | $21,300 |
| Gutters cost in California | 160 linear ft | $1,450 – $4,700 | $2,750 |
| Vinyl siding cost in California | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $9,750 – $29,200 | $16,800 |
| Attic insulation cost in California | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,250 | $2,500 |
Kitchen & bath in California
Across these 5 projects, California averages +10% against national midpoints. Kitchen cabinets is highest at +15% and kitchen backsplash lowest at +7%.
| Project | Size | California range | US midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in California | 25 linear ft | $4,750 – $16,200 | $9,150 |
| Shower pan cost in California | 1 pan | $1,000 – $3,050 | $1,850 |
| Kitchen remodel cost in California | 120 sq ft | $20,100 – $34,300 | $25,000 |
| Bathroom remodel cost in California | 45 sq ft | $5,200 – $25,900 | $14,000 |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in California | 30 sq ft | $320 – $1,600 | $900 |
Landscaping & drainage in California
Across these 5 projects, California averages +17% against national midpoints. French drain is highest at +23% and sod installation lowest at +12%.
| Project | Size | California range | US midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in California | 60 linear ft | $740 – $2,600 | $1,350 |
| Retaining wall cost in California | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,200 – $15,200 | $10,300 |
| Sod installation cost in California | 1,500 sq ft | $1,700 – $3,700 | $2,400 |
| Sprinkler system cost in California | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,650 – $11,600 | $7,000 |
| Inground pool cost in California | 450 sq ft | $42,500 – $133,000 | $74,500 |
Flooring & interior in California
The 3 jobs here average +10% versus the US in California, from +7% (tile flooring) to +12% (hardwood flooring).
| Project | Size | California range | US midpoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in California | 500 sq ft | $6,200 – $14,000 | $9,000 |
| Laminate flooring cost in California | 500 sq ft | $2,250 – $7,800 | $4,500 |
| Tile flooring cost in California | 200 sq ft | $2,600 – $10,700 | $6,200 |