Pricing guide
How Much Does Concrete Cost?
Updated June 2026
Poured concrete is priced per square foot installed, driven by slab thickness, the finish, and site prep. Below are honest, typical U.S. ranges for driveways, patios, and slabs, plus what pushes the price up.
Average concrete (installed)
$6 to $14 / sq ft
Per square foot installed, by thickness and finish. A typical 2-car driveway runs roughly $3,600 to $8,400.
Quick answer
Poured concrete typically costs $6 to $14 per square foot installed depending on thickness and finish. A 2-car driveway (about 600 sq ft) runs roughly $3,600 to $8,400, more with a decorative finish or removal of the old slab.
Concrete price list
| Service | Typical price |
|---|---|
| 4-inch slab (per sq ft) | $6 to $10 |
| 5-inch slab (per sq ft) | $7 to $12 |
| 6-inch slab (per sq ft) | $8 to $14 |
| 2-car driveway (~600 sq ft) | $3,600 to $8,400 |
| Patio (~300 sq ft) | $1,800 to $4,500 |
| Stamped concrete (per sq ft) | $12 to $22 |
| Remove old concrete (per sq ft) | $2 to $6 |
Prices are typical U.S. ranges and vary by region, scope, and condition. Always get a written quote.
Cost by slab thickness
| Thickness | Per sq ft | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 4 inches | $6 to $10 | patios, walkways |
| 5 inches | $7 to $12 | driveways |
| 6 inches | $8 to $14 | heavy loads, RV pads |
Cost by finish
| Finish | Relative cost |
|---|---|
| Standard / broom | baseline |
| Colored | about 1.25x |
| Exposed aggregate | about 1.3x |
| Stamped | about 1.6x |
What affects the cost
Thickness and rebar
Thicker slabs use more concrete and reinforcement. Driveways are 4 to 5 inches; areas carrying heavy vehicles use 6 inches with rebar.
Finish
A standard broom finish is cheapest. Colored, exposed-aggregate, and especially stamped finishes add forms, color, and labor.
Site prep and access
Grading, a gravel base, poor soil, and hard-to-reach pours all add cost before any concrete is placed.
Removal
Tearing out and hauling away an existing slab adds roughly $2 to $6 per square foot.
Where the money goes
Most of a concrete job is material plus labor for forming, pouring, and finishing. Decorative finishes shift more cost to labor. Removing an old slab and prepping the subgrade are separate line items, so a 'replace' job costs more than a fresh pour on bare ground.
Should you DIY or hire a pro?
Small slabs (a shed pad, a few stepping areas) are DIY-able if you are comfortable with formwork and finishing fast before it cures. Driveways, large patios, and anything load-bearing are best left to a pro: finishing concrete is time-sensitive and unforgiving, and a bad pour is expensive to fix.
How to save on concrete work
- A broom finish costs far less than stamped and still looks clean.
- Pour in the off-season when concrete crews have more availability.
- Combine multiple flatwork projects (driveway plus patio) into one pour.
- Keep the existing slab if it is sound; resurfacing can be cheaper than replacement.
- Get three itemized bids and confirm thickness, rebar, and prep are included.
Run a concrete work business? Here is what to charge
If you run a concrete or contracting business, price per square foot by thickness and finish, and quote prep, rebar, and removal as separate lines so the bid is clear and your margin is protected.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a concrete driveway cost?+
A typical 2-car concrete driveway (about 600 sq ft) runs roughly $3,600 to $8,400 standard, or more with a decorative finish or removal of the old slab. Concrete is priced at $6 to $14 per square foot installed.
How much does stamped concrete cost?+
Stamped concrete runs about $12 to $22 per square foot, roughly 1.6 times a standard broom finish, because of the forms, color, and finishing labor.
How thick should a concrete slab be?+
Patios and walkways are usually 4 inches; driveways 4 to 5 inches; areas carrying heavy vehicles or loads use 6 inches with rebar. Thicker slabs cost more per square foot.
Does the price include removing old concrete?+
Usually not. Tearing out and hauling away an existing slab adds about $2 to $6 per square foot on top of the new pour.
Can I estimate my own concrete cost?+
Yes, use our free concrete cost calculator: enter the area, thickness, finish, and whether you need removal, and it estimates a low-to-high range.
More pricing guides
How we research these prices
These figures are typical U.S. market ranges, cross-checked against our own industry research where we have it, and reviewed periodically. Prices vary by region, scope, condition, and the pro you hire, so treat them as a starting point and always get a written quote. Last updated June 2026.
Price jobs right, get paid faster
Smarfle helps service businesses estimate, invoice, and collect payment in one place, so you quote with confidence and never chase a check.
Start your 7-day free trial