Concrete Patio Cost in 2026: Per Sq Ft, By Size and Finish Type
The concrete patio cost in 2026 runs $6 to $12 per square foot installed for a standard 4-inch broom-finish slab, with a national average near $8 per square foot. A 12’x20’ patio (240 sq ft) costs $1,440 to $2,880. Stamped or decorative concrete pushes that to $15 to $30 per square foot. Your finish type is the single biggest cost lever.
A concrete patio is one of the most durable outdoor investments you can make. If you are trying to nail down the concrete patio cost in 2026 before you call anyone, this guide has the numbers. Done right, it lasts 30 to 50 years without the weed problems of pavers or the rot risk of wood decking. But done wrong, or priced based on the first low bid that comes in, you get a slab that spalls, cracks, and ends up costing twice as much when you have to demo and repour it in seven years.
This guide gives you the honest concrete patio cost 2026 numbers: per square foot by finish type, total cost by common patio size, what drives the price difference between bids, and how three real American patios got priced from start to finish.
Enter your patio dimensions and thickness. The calculator shows your cubic yards and a cost range tuned to your finish type.
Open the Patio Calculator →Concrete Patio Cost Per Square Foot in 2026
The concrete patio cost per square foot in 2026 depends almost entirely on the finish you choose. The structural concrete underneath a stamped patio and a plain broom-finish patio is the same. The labor to apply pattern, color, and sealer is where the price difference lives.
| Finish type | Description | Cost per sq ft installed | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broom finish | Textured, slip-resistant surface | $6 to $12 | Seal every 5 years |
| Smooth trowel | Interior-look finish, less slip resistance | $7 to $13 | Seal every 3 years |
| Salt finish | Pebbly texture from rock salt pressed in | $8 to $14 | Seal every 3 years |
| Exposed aggregate | Smooth stones revealed after washing | $10 to $16 | Seal every 3 years |
| Stamped concrete | Patterned and colored, mimics stone or brick | $15 to $25 | Reseal every 2 years |
| Stamped + custom color | Multiple colors, complex patterns | $20 to $30 | Reseal every 1 to 2 years |
The national average for a standard patio per square foot sits near $8, which covers a 4-inch ready-mix slab with wire mesh reinforcement and a broom finish. If your contractor is quoting you $5 per square foot, ask what finish, what thickness, and what PSI mix they are planning. That number is either missing site prep or using a below-spec mix.
Concrete Patio Cost By Common Size
| Patio size | Square feet | Broom finish (low-high) | Stamped (low-high) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10’ x 10’ | 100 sq ft | $600 to $1,200 | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| 10’ x 20’ | 200 sq ft | $1,200 to $2,400 | $3,000 to $6,000 |
| 12’ x 20’ | 240 sq ft | $1,440 to $2,880 | $3,600 to $7,200 |
| 16’ x 20’ | 320 sq ft | $1,920 to $3,840 | $4,800 to $9,600 |
| 16’ x 24’ | 384 sq ft | $2,304 to $4,608 | $5,760 to $11,520 |
| 20’ x 20’ | 400 sq ft | $2,400 to $4,800 | $6,000 to $12,000 |
| 20’ x 30’ | 600 sq ft | $3,600 to $7,200 | $9,000 to $18,000 |
| 30’ x 30’ | 900 sq ft | $5,400 to $10,800 | $13,500 to $27,000 |
If you are replacing an existing patio, demo and haul-off runs $720 to $1,920 for a standard 240-square-foot slab, depending on thickness, rebar content, and local dump fees. Always get this as a separate line item so you can compare it across bids fairly.
Concrete Patio Finish Types: What You Are Actually Paying For
Understanding the four most popular finish options helps you make the right decision for your climate, lifestyle, and maintenance tolerance.
Broom finish
The standard. After floating the slab, a concrete broom is dragged across the surface, leaving parallel ridges that provide traction. It is the most cost-effective finish, the lowest maintenance, and ages gracefully. If your patio is primarily functional, broom finish is almost always the right call. Most contractors can do a clean broom finish in an hour on a standard residential pour.
Exposed aggregate
The top surface is washed while the concrete is still green, revealing the smooth decorative stones in the mix. It requires a special seeded mix or a decorative aggregate layer and precise timing. Exposed aggregate hides dirt and stains better than smooth finishes and is popular in warm-climate states like Florida, Arizona, and California. The cost premium over broom finish is $4 to $6 per square foot in labor.
Stamped concrete
Rubber stamps are pressed into the concrete during finishing, creating patterns that mimic flagstone, slate, brick, or tile. Color is either mixed into the concrete (integral color) or applied as a surface hardener. The result looks dramatically more expensive than it is, but the maintenance requirement is real: the sealer that protects the color and pattern must be reapplied every 1 to 2 years in high-traffic areas. Failing to reseal stamped concrete leads to fading and surface deterioration within 3 to 5 years.
Pool deck and spray texture
Pool patios and decks have their own specialty finish: spray-applied texture or pool deck concrete coatings that stay cool underfoot and resist pool chemicals. These are a separate category from standard patio finishes and typically cost $3 to $8 per square foot for the coating layer applied over a base slab.
What Drives the Difference Between a $7 and a $14 Bid
You send out three bids for the same 16×20 patio. The quotes come back at $7, $10, and $14 per square foot. The $7 bid is not a deal and the $14 bid is not a rip-off. They are probably three different scopes. Here is what drives the variation.
Labor market and region
A cement mason in Texas earns $22 to $28 per hour. In New York or California, the same trade runs $55 to $80 per hour. That labor gap creates regional price differences of 30% to 40% for identical work. A $7 bid in Houston and a $12 bid in Boston can both be completely fair prices for the same finish.
Base preparation and site conditions
The cost to pour a concrete patio can swing $2 to $5 per square foot based on what the ground underneath looks like. A flat yard with sandy loam soil is cheap to prep. A sloped yard, clay soil, or a spot with tree roots is expensive. Low bids often exclude site prep entirely, which means it shows up as a change order after the crew arrives.
Concrete mix strength
Standard 3,000 PSI ready-mix is adequate in warm, dry climates. In the Midwest, Northeast, or Mountain West, a 4,000 PSI air-entrained mix is the right call for freeze-thaw resistance. The mix upgrade adds $10 to $25 per cubic yard to your material cost, or $150 to $400 on a standard 240-square-foot patio. Skipping the upgrade in a cold climate leads to surface spalling within a few winters. For a deeper look at why this matters, see our guide on 7 concrete slab mistakes that cause cracks.
Three Real Concrete Patio Projects Priced Out
Example 1: Backyard patio in Charlotte, North Carolina
A homeowner wants a 16’x20’ patio (320 sq ft) with broom finish. Flat lot, sandy soil, no old patio to remove. Charlotte is mild enough that 3,000 PSI mix is fine. The spec: 4-inch slab, 3,000 PSI, wire mesh, broom finish, control joints at 8-foot spacing. Quote: $8.50 per square foot, total $2,720. Base prep and a 4-inch compacted gravel base are included. This is a well-priced, fully-specified job in a mid-range labor market.
Example 2: Stamped patio in Phoenix, Arizona
A 20’x20’ stamped patio (400 sq ft) with an ashlar slate pattern and integral brown color. Phoenix’s dry heat makes exposed aggregate and stamped concrete popular. The spec: 4-inch slab, 3,500 PSI (slight upgrade for UV resistance), fiber reinforcement, stamped pattern, integral color, sealed with gloss sealer. Quote: $22 per square foot, total $8,800. Nearly $6,000 of that total is the decorative labor and materials. A plain broom-finish version of the same slab would be $3,200 to $4,000.
Example 3: Patio replacement in Minneapolis, Minnesota
A 12’x24’ patio (288 sq ft) replacing a cracked 1980s slab. The old concrete needs demolition and haul-off. Minneapolis winters demand 4,000 PSI air-entrained concrete. The new spec: 4-inch slab, 4,000 PSI air-entrained, wire mesh, broom finish, sealed at 28 days. Demo of old slab: $1,200 ($4.17 per sq ft). New slab: $3,456 ($12 per sq ft). Total project: $4,656. The cold-climate mix and the demo together explain why this patio costs $12 per square foot in Minneapolis when a similar job in Charlotte runs $8.50.
Concrete Patio vs Pavers: The Honest Long-Term Comparison
| Factor | Concrete patio | Brick or stone pavers |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost | $1,920 to $3,840 | $3,200 to $6,400 |
| Lifespan | 30 to 50 years | 50+ years (individual pieces) |
| Repairability | Patch or full replace | Individual paver replacement |
| Maintenance | Seal every 3 to 5 years | Re-sand joints every 3 to 4 years |
| Appearance | Clean, uniform (or decorative with stamp) | Natural, premium look |
| Winter performance | Susceptible to salt and spalling if wrong PSI | Flexible, individual movement |
Concrete wins on upfront cost and low initial labor. Pavers win on repairability and premium appearance. If you are staying in the house long-term and want something that can be partially repaired without jackhammers, pavers are worth the premium. If you want the lowest per-square-foot installation cost and are comfortable with the maintenance requirements, concrete is the right call.
How to Get Accurate Bids for a Concrete Patio
Write down your spec before you call anyone: dimensions, thickness, finish type, and whether you need old patio removal. Give that same spec to every bidder. The three things to confirm in every quote: the concrete PSI and whether air entrainment is included if you are in a cold climate, the base prep included or excluded, and the curing method after the pour. For a deeper guide on reading any concrete bid line by line, see our concrete quote decoder.
For broader context on how the concrete patio cost compares to other flatwork projects on your property, our complete concrete slab cost guide covers all residential pour types with 2026 benchmarks.
Run your patio dimensions through the patio calculator to see the material order. If a bid’s cubic yard count does not match the calculator, ask why.
Calculate Patio Cost →Frequently Asked Questions About Concrete Patio Cost in 2026
How much does a concrete patio cost in 2026?
A concrete patio costs $6 to $12 per square foot installed in 2026, with a national average near $8 per square foot for a standard 4-inch broom-finish slab. A common 12×20 patio (240 sq ft) runs $1,440 to $2,880. Stamped or decorative finishes push the cost to $15 to $30 per square foot.
How much does it cost to pour a concrete patio per square foot?
The cost to pour a concrete patio ranges from $6 to $12 per square foot for standard broom-finish work in 2026. Stamped concrete costs $15 to $30 per square foot. The main variables are finish type, local labor rates, and whether you need old patio removal or significant site prep.
Is a concrete patio cheaper than pavers?
Plain concrete is cheaper than pavers upfront, typically $6 to $12 per square foot versus $10 to $20 per square foot for pavers installed. Over 20 years, the costs converge because pavers rarely crack and can be individually replaced, while concrete may need full resurfacing or replacement. Decorative stamped concrete that mimics pavers costs about the same as real pavers.
How thick should a concrete patio be?
A standard residential patio should be 4 inches thick, which is adequate for foot traffic, furniture, and light use. Patios with vehicle access or heavy outdoor equipment should be 5 to 6 inches. Thinner slabs below 3.5 inches crack more easily under load and temperature changes.
Do I need a permit for a concrete patio?
Most jurisdictions do not require a permit for a ground-level patio that is not attached to the house structure. Attached patios, raised patios, or those with roofing or enclosures usually require a permit. Check with your local building department before pouring, because requirements vary significantly by city and county.
How long does a concrete patio last?
A properly poured concrete patio lasts 30 to 50 years with basic maintenance. Sealing the surface every 3 to 5 years significantly extends its life by reducing water infiltration and staining. Patios in freeze-thaw climates last longest when poured with 4,000 PSI air-entrained concrete rather than the standard 3,000 PSI residential mix.
What is the best concrete finish for a patio?
Broom finish is the most practical and cost-effective choice: it provides slip resistance, looks clean, and ages well. Exposed aggregate is durable and hides stains well. Stamped concrete provides the best curb appeal but costs two to three times more in labor and requires resealing every 2 to 3 years to keep the color vibrant. The right choice depends on your budget and how much maintenance you are willing to do.
Can I pour a concrete patio myself?
Small patios under about 100 square feet are DIY-friendly using bagged concrete. Above that, ready-mix is a better choice. A 12×20 patio (240 sq ft) needs about 3 cubic yards of concrete, which is at the minimum delivery threshold for ready-mix trucks. The finishing window on a patio pour is 30 to 60 minutes depending on weather, so having at least one helper and the right tools is essential before you start.
Related Calculators and Guides
For concrete mix design standards by climate, the Portland Cement Association residential guide and the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association are the authoritative US references.