How this calculator works
Poured concrete is the budget workhorse of outdoor surfaces. This tool prices it by the finish you want, since that’s what separates a $7 slab from a $16 one.
Finish is the price lever
Every estimate here assumes a standard slab — graded base, forms, wire or rebar, a 4-inch pour, and the finish. A plain broom finish is the cheapest durable surface you can put down. Color mixed into the concrete adds a little. Exposed aggregate rinses the surface to reveal stone for grip and texture. Stamped concrete presses in a stone or brick pattern and gets sealed — the most labor, and the top of the range.
A note on DIY and cracking
Concrete rewards experience. The DIY estimate covers materials and a bit of equipment, but finishing a slab flat and crack-resistant is a real skill, and you can’t undo a bad pour. Whoever does it, the defense against cracks is the same: a solid compacted base, control joints cut at the right spacing, and enough thickness and reinforcement. Cracks aren’t a sign of failure so much as a sign of where the joints should have been.
Want a surface that won’t crack across the middle? Compare with a paver patio.
2026 installed concrete patio cost per square foot
A plain broom finish is the cheapest hard surface you can pour. Color, exposed aggregate, and stamping each add labor and materials on top.
| Option | Low (per sq ft) | High (per sq ft) | Typical (per sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broom finish (standard gray) | $6 | $12 | $9 |
| Colored / integral pigment | $10 | $18 | $13 |
| Exposed aggregate | $8 | $18 | $13 |
| Stamped concrete | $12 | $22 | $16 |
Estimated cost by state
Typical installed range for a 300 sq ft broom-finish concrete patio, installed, adjusted by each state's construction cost index. Your actual project scales with the size and options you enter above.
| State | Estimated low | Estimated high |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,548 | $3,096 |
| Alaska | $2,070 | $4,140 |
| Arizona | $1,728 | $3,456 |
| Arkansas | $1,584 | $3,168 |
| California | $2,016 | $4,032 |
| Colorado | $1,764 | $3,528 |
| Connecticut | $1,926 | $3,852 |
| Delaware | $1,728 | $3,456 |
| District of Columbia | $1,800 | $3,600 |
| Florida | $1,674 | $3,348 |
| Georgia | $1,620 | $3,240 |
| Hawaii | $2,304 | $4,608 |
| Idaho | $1,746 | $3,492 |
| Illinois | $2,070 | $4,140 |
| Indiana | $1,836 | $3,672 |
| Iowa | $1,800 | $3,600 |
| Kansas | $1,692 | $3,384 |
| Kentucky | $1,692 | $3,384 |
| Louisiana | $1,638 | $3,276 |
| Maine | $1,728 | $3,456 |
| Maryland | $1,728 | $3,456 |
| Massachusetts | $2,124 | $4,248 |
| Michigan | $1,818 | $3,636 |
| Minnesota | $2,016 | $4,032 |
| Mississippi | $1,602 | $3,204 |
| Missouri | $1,944 | $3,888 |
| Montana | $1,800 | $3,600 |
| Nebraska | $1,728 | $3,456 |
| Nevada | $1,836 | $3,672 |
| New Hampshire | $1,800 | $3,600 |
| New Jersey | $2,124 | $4,248 |
| New Mexico | $1,620 | $3,240 |
| New York | $1,980 | $3,960 |
| North Carolina | $1,674 | $3,348 |
| North Dakota | $1,818 | $3,636 |
| Ohio | $1,908 | $3,816 |
| Oklahoma | $1,656 | $3,312 |
| Oregon | $1,872 | $3,744 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,836 | $3,672 |
| Rhode Island | $1,962 | $3,924 |
| South Carolina | $1,692 | $3,384 |
| South Dakota | $1,674 | $3,348 |
| Tennessee | $1,692 | $3,384 |
| Texas | $1,638 | $3,276 |
| Utah | $1,746 | $3,492 |
| Vermont | $1,782 | $3,564 |
| Virginia | $1,656 | $3,312 |
| Washington | $1,962 | $3,924 |
| West Virginia | $1,692 | $3,384 |
| Wisconsin | $1,908 | $3,816 |
| Wyoming | $1,692 | $3,384 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a concrete patio cost in 2026?
A standard broom-finish slab runs about $6–$12 per square foot installed, so a 300 sq ft patio is commonly $1,800–$3,600. Decorative finishes climb from there — stamped concrete often reaches $12–$22 per square foot.
Is concrete cheaper than pavers?
A plain poured slab is usually the cheapest hard patio surface, noticeably less than pavers. The trade-off is that concrete can crack as the ground moves and is hard to repair invisibly, while pavers flex and can be lifted and reset. Decorative concrete narrows the price gap.
What makes stamped concrete cost more?
Stamping adds color hardener, release agent, the stamping labor itself, and a sealer that needs reapplying every few years. You're paying for a slab that mimics stone or brick at less than natural-stone prices, but more than a basic gray pour.
Can I pour a concrete patio myself?
Small slabs are DIY-able, but concrete is unforgiving — you get one shot before it sets, and finishing flat, smooth, and crack-resistant takes practice. The DIY estimate here covers materials and equipment; for anything beyond a modest slab, the labor savings often aren't worth a botched pour.
How do I keep a concrete patio from cracking?
Some hairline cracking is normal as concrete cures and the ground shifts. Proper base prep, control joints cut at the right spacing, adequate slab thickness, and rebar or wire mesh all reduce it. A good contractor plans the joints so cracks follow them instead of wandering across the surface.
Disclaimer: Estimates are for planning only and reflect typical ranges, not quotes. Actual costs vary with site conditions, design complexity, local permits, and contractor availability. Pricing approach: national averages cross-referenced from public cost guides, adjusted by a state construction cost index — see our methodology.
Price data sources: HomeGuide — Concrete Patio Cost (2026): plain gray slab $4–$12/sq ft installed, broom finish from $6–$10/sq ft, stained or patterned $8–$30/sq ft — https://homeguide.com/costs/concrete-patio-cost; HomeGuide — Exposed Aggregate Patio Cost (2026): $7–$18/sq ft installed — https://homeguide.com/costs/exposed-aggregate-patio-cost; HomeGuide — Stamped Concrete Patio Cost (2026): $9–$30/sq ft installed — https://homeguide.com/costs/stamped-concrete-patio-cost; Concrete Network — Concrete Patio Cost (2026): plain $5–$8/sq ft, one decorative technique or color $8–$11/sq ft, stamped and multi-technique $11–$18/sq ft, elaborate custom $18+/sq ft — https://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete-patio/cost.html; Regional ready-mix concrete pricing. Last updated: September 2026.