Home project costs in Athens, GA
Every project we cover, priced for the Athens-Clarke County metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
The BEA price index for the Athens-Clarke County area is 93.3 against 100 for the US, which puts Athens 176th among 300 metros we track. Goods prices, which matter most for materials, are at 96.3. BLS counts roughly 95,800 jobs here.
In Athens, 0 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 38 below. The highest against the national midpoint are attic insulation (−5%), kitchen remodel (−7%) and sod installation (−7%); the biggest discounts are composite deck (−17%), concrete driveway (−16%) and chain-link fence (−16%). The spread comes from which trades each job uses: a labor-heavy job follows local wages, while a materials-heavy job follows the goods index.
Weather: the nearest NOAA station (Athens Ben Epps Ap, 7 miles away) shows a January average low of 34°F, a July average high of 92°F and 49 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are March through June and September through November; for exterior installation, they are September through June.
What local trades earn in Athens
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $16.56 | $17.85 | $23.50 | $22.66 | 0.79 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $17.97 | $21.51 | $25.72 | $29.12 | 0.74 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $18.67 | $21.30 | $22.31 | $28.78 | 0.74 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $22.55 | $27.76 | $32.13 | $30.67 | 0.91 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $27.41 | n/a |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $18.28 | $23.92 | $34.50 | $30.38 | 0.79 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $26.77 | n/a |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $26.65 | n/a |
Concrete & paving in Athens
Across these 7 projects, Athens averages −13% against national midpoints. Asphalt driveway is highest at −10% and concrete driveway lowest at −16%.
| Project | Size | Athens range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in Athens | 400 sq ft | $2,150 – $4,650 | −11% |
| Concrete driveway cost in Athens | 600 sq ft | $3,150 – $7,700 | −16% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in Athens | 600 sq ft | $2,750 – $6,600 | −10% |
| Gravel driveway cost in Athens | 1,000 sq ft | $2,150 – $8,800 | −14% |
| Paver patio cost in Athens | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,750 | −12% |
| Concrete patio cost in Athens | 300 sq ft | $1,100 – $3,450 | −13% |
| Stamped concrete cost in Athens | 400 sq ft | $2,900 – $7,000 | −12% |
Decks & outdoor in Athens
Across these 2 projects, Athens averages −15% against national midpoints. Wood deck is highest at −13% and composite deck lowest at −17%.
| Project | Size | Athens range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in Athens | 300 sq ft | $6,550 – $13,200 | −13% |
| Composite deck cost in Athens | 300 sq ft | $10,100 – $20,200 | −17% |
Building & additions in Athens
The 2 jobs here average −14% versus the US in Athens, from −14% (home addition) to −13% (detached garage).
| Project | Size | Athens range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in Athens | 576 sq ft | $25,200 – $50,500 | −13% |
| Home addition cost in Athens | 300 sq ft | $32,500 – $65,900 | −14% |
Doors & windows in Athens
Across these 5 projects, Athens averages −11% against national midpoints. Window replacement is highest at −8% and patio door lowest at −13%.
| Project | Size | Athens range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in Athens | 1 door | $610 – $3,350 | −10% |
| Storm door cost in Athens | 1 door | $300 – $840 | −12% |
| Front door cost in Athens | 1 door | $420 – $2,300 | −10% |
| Window replacement cost in Athens | 10 windows | $4,050 – $13,800 | −8% |
| Patio door cost in Athens | 1 door | $540 – $5,200 | −13% |
Fencing in Athens
Across these 4 projects, Athens averages −12% against national midpoints. Vinyl fence is highest at −8% and chain-link fence lowest at −16%.
| Project | Size | Athens range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in Athens | 150 linear ft | $2,600 – $6,750 | −12% |
| Vinyl fence cost in Athens | 150 linear ft | $4,200 – $8,350 | −8% |
| Chain-link fence cost in Athens | 150 linear ft | $1,350 – $5,150 | −16% |
| Aluminum fence cost in Athens | 150 linear ft | $3,350 – $10,200 | −11% |
Roofing & exterior in Athens
Across these 5 projects, Athens averages −10% against national midpoints. Attic insulation is highest at −5% and vinyl siding lowest at −14%.
| Project | Size | Athens range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in Athens | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $5,300 – $11,100 | −11% |
| Metal roof cost in Athens | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $8,700 – $29,100 | −11% |
| Gutters cost in Athens | 160 linear ft | $1,150 – $3,800 | −10% |
| Vinyl siding cost in Athens | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $7,200 – $21,700 | −14% |
| Attic insulation cost in Athens | 1,000 sq ft | $950 – $3,800 | −5% |
Kitchen & bath in Athens
The 5 jobs here average −10% versus the US in Athens, from −14% (kitchen cabinets) to −7% (kitchen remodel).
| Project | Size | Athens range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in Athens | 25 linear ft | $3,800 – $11,900 | −14% |
| Shower pan cost in Athens | 1 pan | $830 – $2,550 | −9% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in Athens | 120 sq ft | $17,200 – $29,300 | −7% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in Athens | 45 sq ft | $4,250 – $21,000 | −10% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in Athens | 30 sq ft | $270 – $1,350 | −9% |
Landscaping & drainage in Athens
The 5 jobs here average −11% versus the US in Athens, from −13% (inground pool) to −7% (sod installation).
| Project | Size | Athens range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in Athens | 60 linear ft | $530 – $1,850 | −12% |
| Retaining wall cost in Athens | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,050 – $12,000 | −12% |
| Sod installation cost in Athens | 1,500 sq ft | $1,400 – $3,050 | −7% |
| Sprinkler system cost in Athens | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,550 – $8,900 | −11% |
| Inground pool cost in Athens | 450 sq ft | $31,500 – $98,500 | −13% |
Flooring & interior in Athens
Across these 3 projects, Athens averages −12% against national midpoints. Tile flooring is highest at −8% and laminate flooring lowest at −15%.
| Project | Size | Athens range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in Athens | 500 sq ft | $4,800 – $11,000 | −12% |
| Laminate flooring cost in Athens | 500 sq ft | $1,650 – $6,050 | −15% |
| Tile flooring cost in Athens | 200 sq ft | $2,100 – $9,300 | −8% |
Athens against its nearest metros
Averaged over all 38 projects, Athens prices −11% against the US midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, 5 price higher and 1 lower. Macon is the lowest at −12% (80 miles) and Atlanta the highest at −6% (70 miles). These are unweighted averages of the midpoints, a rough guide to overall price level rather than a number for any one job.
| Metro | Distance | Price index | Goods index | All projects vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, GAthis page | 93.3 | 96.3 | −11% | |
| Gainesville, GA | 45 miles | 96.8 | 96.3 | −11% |
| Greenville, SC | 70 miles | 93.3 | 96.3 | −8% |
| Atlanta, GA | 70 miles | 100.1 | 100.4 | −6% |
| Augusta, GA | 80 miles | 91.9 | 96.3 | −8% |
| Macon, GA | 80 miles | 88.5 | 96.3 | −12% |
| Spartanburg, SC | 100 miles | 91.1 | 96.3 | −9% |