How Much Does a Concrete Sidewalk Cost in 2024?

Average Concrete Sidewalk Cost

A typical residential sidewalk covers about 200 square feet. While the average concrete sidewalk costs $1,800, final costs vary depending on other factors. High-end custom designs can push this price beyond $20 per square foot, reaching $4,000 for a 200-square-foot walkway.

Concrete Sidewalk Cost Factors

Concrete comes in different grades and finishes, affecting your total project costs. A simple concrete slab costs considerably less than an elaborate design with custom colors and unique features. 

Size

The larger the space, the more your concrete sidewalk costs. You need more concrete and other materials to pave the space and more labor to install the larger sidewalk. Prices per square foot may be slightly higher for smaller projects due to minimum concrete delivery fees, but slightly lower for bigger projects because contractors may offer discounted rates.

Thickness

Some contractors and suppliers quote concrete cost by cubic yard rather than by square foot because concrete sidewalks vary in thickness. The standard walkway is four inches thick. The thicker your concrete walkway—enough to handle the weight of cars, trucks, and heavy machinery—the more you can expect to pay. 

For a 200-square-foot sidewalk at four inches thick, expect to pay around $250 for 2.5 cubic yards of concrete, not including labor. It’s a good idea to order a bit more in case your sidewalk is thicker than anticipated, or if you have wastage. 

Concrete delivery fees range from $100 to $200, on top of the cost of concrete itself.  

Grade

The grade of concrete describes its overall strength and composition. Higher-grade concrete is stronger and more durable than low-grade concrete and costs more. The strength and grade of concrete are based on the ratio of its aggregate components, such as sand, water, and cement. 

C20 concrete—also called Gen 3 concrete—is common for residential driveways and pathways. Lower numbers, like C10 and C15, indicate lower grades, while higher grades, like C35 and C40 concrete, are used more commonly in commercial applications. 

Shape

The cost to build a walkway with straight edges is less than the cost to build a sidewalk with complex twists and curves. The concrete material cost may be similar, but the difference comes down to requiring more labor. Turns and curves require special frames to capture their unique shape. 

Terrain

A concrete sidewalk must be installed on level terrain. If the pathway isn’t perfectly flat, add the cost to re-slope or level the desired route. The project can’t start until the uneven terrain is suitably leveled. Land grading costs $1 to $10 per square foot. Clearing obstacles like brush and trees also add to your total project cost. 

Custom Color and Stamping

Concrete of the same grade that’s properly installed by a professional should be functionally identical. If you want to elevate the style of your walkway beyond plain gray slabs, you have many options for custom colors, finishes, and stamping, which all come with an added cost. 

• Polished concrete: $3–$30 per square foot; offers a smooth, uniform appearance.

• Stained concrete: $3–$25 per square foot; comes in different hues, such as brown, tan, gray, green, or blue.

• Stamped concrete: $9–$25 per square foot; mimics the appearance of pavers or cobblestone by stamping designs on the concrete while it’s still drying.

• Epoxy coatings: $5–$10 per square foot; protect the concrete sidewalk from damage and add an even sheen.

Additional Concrete Sidewalk Cost Factors

Along with basic concrete walkway costs, consider these additional cost factors as you calculate your project budget. 

Reinforcement

Generally, most concrete sidewalks for residential properties don’t need reinforcements, unlike applications requiring heavy use like driveways or commercial applications. If you want to reinforce your sidewalk, expect to pay $1 to $1.50 per square foot for wire mesh. That works out to $200 to $300 for a 200-square-foot walkway. Rebar is stronger and more durable than wire mesh, costing between $0.40 and $2.25 per linear foot. 

Landscaping

Improve the visual appeal of the area around your new concrete sidewalk by installing landscaping features. You may install flower beds, outdoor lighting, concrete curbing, decorative stones, retaining walls, and more. Ask a local landscaping company for a personalized estimate. 

• Landscaping: $5–$17 per square foot 

• Landscape curbing: $5–$20 per linear foot

• Flower bed installation: $1,000–$3,000

• Individual light fixtures: $30–$300 

• Retaining wall installation: $3,200–$9,000

Labor

Along with the cost of the materials, labor is the biggest contributor to your concrete sidewalk cost. While contractors may quote on a project basis, the average labor rate is between $40 and $125 per hour. Paving and finishing a 200-square-foot walkway takes about 17 hours, working out to a total labor cost of around $1,360. Worksites with challenging accessibility issues can lead to higher labor rates. 

Prep

Before installing a new concrete sidewalk, the land needs to be suitably prepared for the project. After addressing grading and slope issues with the terrain, choose the base that sits between your concrete slabs and the underlying soil. Gravel bases cost $15 to $75 per cubic yard. Sand costs a bit less, at $15 to $50 per cubic yard, but doesn’t drain as well. 

A vapor barrier can help prevent cracking from freeze-thaw cycles in colder climates. Vapor barriers cost $0.50 to $1 per square foot or more. 

Permits

Inquire with your local regulatory bodies about any permits you may need to build a concrete sidewalk or ask your contractor to do it for you. You may need a permit, particularly if your new walkway connects to public roads or an existing sidewalk. Required permits cost anywhere from $50 to $1,000, depending on your location. 

Removal

If you need to replace an existing sidewalk, add the concrete removal cost to your budget. This may involve waste disposal and labor costs to dig up the old sidewalk. Expect to pay anywhere from $2 to $6 per square foot for concrete removal.

Concrete Sidewalk Replacement vs. Repair

Concrete sidewalks usually last 25 to 50 years before they need to be replaced due to the accumulated effects of weathering, foot traffic, and other damage. Some damage can be repaired, especially if the sidewalk is less than 10 years old. 

In other cases, you may be able to replace just one concrete slab instead of redoing your entire walkway. Ask a concrete contractor in your area to inspect your sidewalk damage and provide a professional opinion on what you should do. 

Does Installing a Concrete Sidewalk Increase Home Value?

Paved driveways and concrete walkways can increase the value of your home by as much as 10% in some cases. Well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing concrete sidewalks add to a home’s curb appeal, especially when compared to dirt or gravel pathways. The investment may not yield a significant difference in appraisal value, but it can make a home more marketable and easier to sell. 

Budgeting for Building a Concrete Sidewalk

Here are some budgeting tips to help you cut the cost of your concrete walkway without compromising quality or durability:

• Decide on straight lines instead of curves and complex designs to reduce custom labor costs.

• Stick to the basics. You can save money by skipping custom stamping, staining, or polishing.

• Standard gray concrete is more cost-effective than colorful stained concrete.

• Choose a sidewalk path that minimizes the need for excavation and grading.

• Keep your landscaping options simple, opting out of intricate curbing or custom flower beds. 

• Schedule your project during the off-season in late fall or early winter when contractors may be motivated to offer lower rates.

• Prepare the site by removing grass, tree roots, large rocks, and other obstacles.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.