How Much Does Concrete Cost?

Concrete pricing depends on whether you buy ready-mix or bagged, the PSI strength, and how much labor is involved. Here is a complete 2026 cost breakdown for common projects.

Ready-mix concrete cost per cubic yard

Strength (PSI)	Cost per cubic yard	Common uses
2,500 PSI	$120–$145	Sidewalks, light slabs
3,000 PSI	$130–$155	Residential slabs, driveways
4,000 PSI	$145–$175	Garages, commercial slabs
5,000 PSI	$165–$200	Industrial, structural

Plus short-load fee if under 5–7 yards. Plus $30–$75 pump truck if access is limited.

Bagged concrete cost

Bag size	Price range	Yield
40 lb	$4–$6	0.30 cu ft
60 lb	$5–$8	0.45 cu ft
80 lb	$6–$10	0.60 cu ft

Cost per cubic yard (bagged): ~$140–$200 — bagged is only competitive for small patch jobs under 0.5 cu yd.

Project cost examples

Concrete slab costs

Slab size	Thickness	Yards needed	DIY materials	Professional
10 × 10 ft	4 in	1.2 yd	$160–$200	$400–$800
12 × 12 ft	4 in	1.8 yd	$235–$290	$600–$1,100
20 × 20 ft	4 in	5 yd	$650–$800	$1,500–$3,500
20 × 30 ft	4 in	7.4 yd	$960–$1,180	$2,200–$5,000

Driveway costs

Driveway size	Cost range (installed)
1-car, 10 × 20 ft	$1,000–$2,500
2-car, 12 × 50 ft	$2,500–$6,000
3-car, 18 × 50 ft	$4,000–$9,000

What drives labor costs?

Labor accounts for 40–60% of a concrete project. Key factors:

Site access — tight spaces require a pump truck ($250–$800/day), adding cost
Excavation — removing existing material or grading adds $50–$200 per hour
Reinforcement — rebar adds $0.75–$2.00 per sq ft; wire mesh is less ($0.20–$0.50)
Finishing — broom finish is standard; exposed aggregate, stamp, or color adds $4–$15/sq ft
Curing time — longer cure specs increase contractor overhead

How to save on concrete

Size your project in round numbers — avoid short-load fees by reaching the 5-yard minimum
Do the forming yourself — setting forms is a DIY-friendly task that saves $0.50–$1.50/sq ft
Get 3 quotes — concrete contractor prices vary 30–50% within the same city
Schedule off-peak — late fall and winter often bring lower labor quotes

Calculate your concrete needs

Enter your slab dimensions into the Concrete Calculator to get the cubic yard total and bag count.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does concrete cost per cubic yard?

Ready-mix concrete costs $120–$200 per cubic yard delivered in 2026. Standard residential mixes (3,000–4,000 PSI) run $130–$160/yd. High-strength mixes (5,000 PSI+) cost $160–$200/yd. Most suppliers have a short-load fee for orders under 5–7 yards.

How much does a concrete slab cost?

A 10×10 ft concrete slab (4 inches thick, about 1.2 cubic yards) costs $400–$800 including materials and labor. A 20×20 ft slab costs $1,500–$3,500. Labor accounts for 40–60% of the total cost.

How much does a concrete driveway cost?

A standard 2-car concrete driveway (12 × 50 ft = 600 sq ft) costs $2,500–$6,000 installed. That is $4–$10 per square foot including sub-base prep, forming, pouring, and finishing. Stamped or colored concrete adds $4–$15 per sq ft.

Is it cheaper to use bagged concrete mix or ready-mix?

Bagged mix is cheaper for small jobs under 0.5 cubic yards (about 10 bags). For anything larger, ready-mix delivery is almost always less expensive — a cubic yard of bagged concrete costs $150–$200 in bags vs $130–$160 delivered in a ready-mix truck.

What is the short-load fee for concrete?

Most ready-mix suppliers charge a short-load fee of $50–$200 for orders less than 5–7 cubic yards. This fee compensates for the partial truckload. For small jobs (1–3 yards), you may pay as much in fees as in concrete.