Running out mid-pour is a serious problem. Always order a little extra.
US average: $120–$200/yd³. See price table below.
Concrete Price Per Yard: 2026 Reference Guide
This calculator estimates material cost based on your dimensions and local concrete price per cubic yard. The reference tables below show typical ready-mix pricing, slab costs by size, and installed cost breakdowns to help you budget accurately.
Concrete Price Per Cubic Yard (2026 US Averages)
| Mix / PSI | Price per yd³ | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| 2,500 PSI | $110–$145 | Sidewalks, light patios |
| 3,000 PSI | $120–$160 | Standard residential: driveways, slabs, footings |
| 3,500 PSI | $135–$175 | Garage floors, heavy-duty residential |
| 4,000 PSI | $145–$185 | Commercial slabs, structural applications |
| Fiber-reinforced | $150–$200 | Crack-resistant floors, flatwork |
| Colored / stamped | $165–$220+ | Decorative patios and driveways |
Prices vary significantly by region. Short-load fees ($50–$150) apply for orders under the supplier minimum (typically 3–5 yd³). Always get local quotes.
Concrete Slab Cost: Common Project Sizes
| Slab size | Area | yd³ at 4" | Material only | Installed est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 ft | 100 sq ft | 1.2 yd³ | $145–$195 | $400–$800 |
| 12×12 ft | 144 sq ft | 1.8 yd³ | $215–$285 | $575–$1,150 |
| 16×16 ft | 256 sq ft | 3.2 yd³ | $380–$510 | $1,025–$2,050 |
| 20×20 ft | 400 sq ft | 5.0 yd³ | $595–$795 | $1,600–$3,200 |
| 24×24 ft (2-car garage) | 576 sq ft | 7.1 yd³ | $850–$1,140 | $2,300–$4,600 |
| 30×40 ft | 1,200 sq ft | 14.8 yd³ | $1,770–$2,370 | $4,800–$9,600 |
Material cost at $120–$160/yd³. Installed includes labor, site prep, and basic finish. Rebar, pump hire, and decorative finishes add cost.
What affects concrete cost
Slab thickness is the most direct cost lever. Adding 2 inches to a 20×20 ft slab means roughly 2 extra cubic yards, or $240–$320 more in materials alone. Mix strength (PSI) has a smaller effect: upgrading from 3,000 PSI to 4,000 PSI typically adds $20–$30 per yard.
Short-load fees catch a lot of homeowners off guard. If your job needs 2 yards but the supplier's minimum charge is 3 yards, you're paying for concrete you don't need. Call your local supplier before finalising quantities to understand their minimums. Some will let you add to an existing delivery from another job, which can save the fee.
Pump hire is another variable worth checking early. If your site doesn't have direct truck access, a concrete pump is the only practical option. They typically run $400–$800 for a half-day, so it's worth knowing upfront rather than discovering on pour day.
Concrete volume quick reference
| Thickness | yd³ per 100 sq ft | yd³ per 500 sq ft | yd³ per 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 inches | 0.93 | 4.63 | 9.26 |
| 4 inches | 1.23 | 6.17 | 12.35 |
| 5 inches | 1.54 | 7.72 | 15.43 |
| 6 inches | 1.85 | 9.26 | 18.52 |
Concrete Cost by Region: 2026 US Averages
Concrete pricing varies more by region than most homeowners expect, and the reasons go beyond simple labour costs. Ready-mix plants are capital-intensive operations, and areas with fewer plants (rural markets, remote regions) face higher delivery costs because trucks have longer hauls and less opportunity to schedule back-to-back pours. Dense metro markets with multiple competing suppliers tend to have tighter pricing on materials. Labor costs then layer on top of that, and the gap between low-cost Southern markets and high-cost coastal markets for a comparable concrete pour can easily reach 40–60%.
Concrete cost by region (installed, per sq ft)
| Region | States | Ready-mix (per yd³) | Installed slab (per sq ft) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast | FL, GA, NC, SC, TN | $110–$145 | $4–$6.50 | Competitive market, good supplier density |
| South Central | TX, OK, AR, LA | $110–$145 | $3.50–$6 | Lowest installed costs nationally |
| Midwest | OH, MI, IL, IN, WI | $120–$160 | $4.50–$7 | Strong supplier base, seasonal demand |
| Mid-Atlantic | PA, VA, MD, NJ | $130–$170 | $5–$8 | Higher labour, urban delivery surcharges |
| Mountain West | CO, AZ, NV, UT | $125–$165 | $4.50–$7.50 | Variable, growth markets in AZ and CO |
| Northeast | NY, MA, CT, RI | $145–$200 | $6–$10 | Highest material and labour costs |
| West Coast | CA, WA, OR | $150–$210 | $6.50–$11 | Highest overall, regulatory costs add to mix pricing |
Installed slab prices include labour, site prep, and basic broom finish at 4 inches depth. South Central highlighted as lowest-cost region nationally. Always get local quotes as prices vary by supplier and project complexity.
Texas is consistently one of the most affordable concrete markets in the country. Strong construction activity keeps contractors competitive, material supply is well-established across the state, and mild winters mean longer working seasons. A 20x20 ft patio slab that might cost $2,800–$4,000 installed in Houston or Dallas could run $4,000–$6,400 in Philadelphia or Chicago for exactly the same job. Florida and the Southeast broadly follow a similar pattern, with good supplier density and competitive contractor markets in the major metros.
The Northeast and West Coast run higher for structural reasons, not just demand. Ready-mix plants in these regions face higher operating costs from land, permitting, and in some cases environmental compliance. California in particular has additional regulatory overhead on concrete plant operations that flows through to material pricing. If you are in one of these markets, getting 3 or more quotes is especially important, as price spread between contractors on the same job can be $1,000–$3,000 for a typical residential slab.
Concrete slab cost by city (20×20 ft, 400 sq ft, 4 inches)
| City | Ready-mix (per yd³) | Installed slab cost |
|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | $110–$140 | $1,400–$2,400 |
| Dallas, TX | $110–$145 | $1,400–$2,600 |
| Atlanta, GA | $115–$150 | $1,600–$2,800 |
| Charlotte, NC | $115–$150 | $1,600–$2,600 |
| Columbus, OH | $125–$160 | $1,800–$3,000 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $120–$158 | $1,800–$3,000 |
| Chicago, IL | $130–$170 | $2,000–$3,600 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $135–$175 | $2,000–$3,600 |
| New York, NY | $150–$200 | $2,400–$4,400 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $155–$210 | $2,600–$4,800 |
Based on a 20x20 ft (400 sq ft) patio slab at 4 inches depth with basic broom finish. Columbus, OH shown as the national mid-market reference. These are planning estimates, so get local contractor quotes to confirm current pricing in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Concrete Project Planning Checklist
Reviewed by Maria Ramirez, PE. Covers subgrade prep, forming, reinforcement, ordering quantities, pour scheduling, curing time, and inspection steps.
Download Checklist (PDF)Planning reference only. See Methodology and Data Sources. View all project checklists →
Related Concrete Calculators
Accuracy & Review
Reviewed by: Maria Ramirez, PE
Maria is a licensed Professional Engineer with experience in residential and light commercial concrete quantity takeoffs. She reviewed the formulas, unit conversions, rounding rules, and default assumptions used in this calculator.
Last updated:
See: Methodology · Data Sources · Review Board
Disclaimer: This calculator estimates rough material cost for planning purposes only. Actual costs vary based on site conditions, supplier minimums, delivery fees, reinforcement, and regional labor rates. Always confirm final quantities and pricing with your supplier before ordering.
See Methodology and Data Sources for calculation assumptions.