True Cost Index
Outdoor Living & Hardscapes cost by city.
Outdoor Living & Hardscapes true cost benchmarks across 15 cities. Cost range, lowest realistic price, margin, and bid fairness inputs by city. Writing about costs? See the citeable concrete patio installation cost data → Part of the 2026 Remodeling Cost Index.
Data verified Jul 2026 · v2026-07-10
How this number is calculated
TheFatBook models outdoor living & hardscapes from Craftsman labor hours, BLS regional wages, burden, PPI-adjusted materials, permit data where available, and contractor overhead benchmarks. Cost index version: 2026-07-10. Updated Jul 2026.
Data Sources Used On This Page
- Independent FatBook v3 cost index for Outdoor Living & Hardscapes cost index.
- BLS OEWS wage inputs (https://www.bls.gov/oes/) and FRED PPI material inflation (https://fred.stlouisfed.org/) references.
- Craftsman labor-hour references and contractor overhead benchmarks.
- Verified permit/source data from PermitCalculator.com and permits_compiled where available.
Cost-index version: 2026-07-10
Updated: Jul 2026
Sources: BLS, Craftsman, FRED
Reviewed by: Leonard "Chuck" Thompson
Estimate Scope
What the outdoor living & hardscapes benchmark includes.
Included in the benchmark
- Concrete Patio Installation as the headline cost-index scope
- labor-hour assumptions, regional wage inputs, materials, overhead, and permit data where available
- low, average, high, lowest realistic price, margin, and savings benchmarks from the FatBook cost index
Not included automatically
- hidden damage, change orders, emergency service premiums, or unusual site access conditions
- contractor financing approval, warranties, provider recommendations, or guaranteed final quotes
- permit rulings for a specific address unless the city permit panel lists verified local data
| City | Range | Average | Low | High | Floor | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $3,525 | $3,133 | $3,947 | $3,133 | 19.7% | |
| Austin | $3,557 | $3,115 | $4,032 | $3,115 | 22% | |
| Chicago | $4,537 | $4,146 | $5,089 | $4,146 | 15.4% | |
| Dallas | $3,418 | $3,039 | $3,827 | $3,039 | 19.6% | |
| Denver | $3,867 | $3,453 | $4,313 | $3,453 | 18.9% | |
| Houston | $3,395 | $3,017 | $3,803 | $3,017 | 19.7% | |
| Kansas City | $3,623 | $3,298 | $4,054 | $3,298 | 15.9% | |
| Los Angeles | $4,334 | $3,866 | $4,837 | $3,866 | 19.1% | |
| Miami | $3,324 | $3,058 | $3,733 | $3,058 | 14.8% | |
| Minneapolis | $4,003 | $3,624 | $4,490 | $3,624 | 16.8% | |
| New York | $5,116 | $4,586 | $5,686 | $4,586 | 18.3% | |
| Philadelphia | $4,136 | $3,743 | $4,620 | $3,743 | 16.8% | |
| Phoenix | $3,641 | $3,236 | $4,078 | $3,236 | 19.7% | |
| Seattle | $4,351 | $3,885 | $4,853 | $3,885 | 18.9% | |
| Springfield, MO | $3,402 | $3,144 | $3,962 | $3,144 | 14.4% |
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Cost index built by David Olson, Creator of the Cost Index & Permit Dataset · Methodology reviewed by Leonard "Chuck" Thompson, LC Thompson Construction Co., Owner (retired) · 2026-07-10