How Much Does a Concrete Walkway and Sidewalk Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $1,600 - $2,400
Building a concrete sidewalk of about 200 square feet costs around $2,000, on average. Labor, materials, size, and shape will affect the final cost, which will usually fall between $1,600 and $2,400.
Adding a concrete walkway costs an average of $2,000, but you could pay anywhere between $1,200 and $3,200 for your new walkway, depending on the size, type of finish, and more. Understanding what goes into that estimate can help you budget more accurately and ensure you get a fair price when discussing what you want with a local concrete company.
- Average
- $2,000
- Low end
- $1,200
- high end
- $3,200
Concrete Walkway and Sidewalk Cost by Square Foot
The average concrete walkway costs about $2,000 for 200 square feet. That means an average cost of around $10 per square foot of concrete laid and finished, including labor and materials. You’ll likely see similar pricing per square foot for sidewalks, as the materials and installation process are identical. Surfacing could be the only difference, but unless you’re going with stamped concrete on your walkway, prices will be similar.
You’ll also need to consider the concrete thickness. Most walkways and sidewalks are around 4 inches thick, but you might need more or less, depending on your terrain and whether or not you need them to support the weight of vehicles.
The cost estimates above are based on the average thickness of 4 inches. You might need thicker and more expensive concrete slabs depending on your project and its intended use.
| Concrete Replacement by Size | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 75-sq. ft. walkway at 4” thick | $600–$900 |
| 75-sq. ft. walkway at 6” thick | $700–$1,000 |
| 100-sq. ft. sidewalk at 4” thick | $800–$1,200 |
| 100-sq. ft. sidewalk at 6” thick | $900–$1,300 |
| 130-sq. ft. walkway at 4” thick | $1,050–$1,550 |
| 130-sq. ft. walkway at 6” thick | $1,150–$1,700 |
| 200-sq. ft. sidewalk at 4” thick | $1,600–$2,400 |
| 200-sq. ft. sidewalk at 6” thick | $1,800–$2,600 |
Concrete Walkway Cost Factors
The cost of a concrete walkway or sidewalk ranges from $1,200 on the low end all the way up to $3,200 because there are quite a few cost factors that influence the cost per square foot and the overall price. You can expect to pay toward the low end of that range for simple, straight lines, standard finish options, and no coloration. If you want curved forms, color, and stamped concrete finish, your price will likely push toward the higher end of the range.
Labor
The cost to install a sidewalk or a concrete path is around $75 per hour for labor. Depending on where you live, this can fluctuate between $50 and $130 per hour.
It typically takes around 18 hours to pave and finish a 200-square-foot concrete pathway. So you’re looking at paying around $1,350 for the labor. But this could fluctuate between $900 and $2,250.
Labor costs will increase with the complexity of the job. For example, if you want a stamped concrete finish, colored concrete, or custom forms for curved pathways, you can expect to pay more for labor.
Materials
As far as the materials go, you’ll need concrete and your choice of two different reinforcing materials: wire mesh or rebar. Wire mesh is a thin yet strong layer that goes into the concrete. It’s laid out in a square pattern and offers more reinforcement points, making it perfect for small projects such as a pathway. Wire mesh will cost around $50 to $200, depending on how much you need.
Rebar is a steel bar and a thicker alternative to wire mesh. You’ll find that while it doesn’t offer as many reinforcement points, the steel bars’ thickness still offers stability for your new concrete walkway. Rebar costs around $100 for a 200-square-foot sidewalk project.
As for the concrete itself, you’ll usually pay around $100 per cubic yard of concrete if you hire a local concrete patio company to deliver it. For a 200-square foot walkway, you’re looking at around 2.5 cubic yards or around $250 total.
Shape
Most of the time, contractors make concrete sidewalks and walkways by creating square blocks out of molds, which they set up in a straight line to lay down the path. The standard installation requires minimal complexity, but your project costs can get much more expensive if you have a rounded property or want a particular shape for your concrete walkway.
For angles and curves, your contractor will need to make custom concrete forms to get the desired shape. These molds take more time to set up properly, so you’ll likely end up paying more in labor costs.
Depending on the size of your project, you can expect the labor time to jump from an average of 18 hours to 24 hours and the associated labor costs to go from around $1,350 up to $1,800 for curves or custom shapes.
Permits
Permits are almost always required for any sidewalk or walkway repair, installation, or replacement because the slab is considered a permanent land improvement. So, whether you’re working on installing a new sidewalk or walkway, chances are you’ll need a sidewalk opening permit or a standard building permit.
Permits cost between $200 and $1,000 in most cases. When you hire a concrete company, they’ll be able to let you know if one is needed, and they may need to file them for you.
Delivery
In addition to the material cost for your concrete, you’ll need a means of getting the concrete to your home. In some cases, concrete delivery charges can add to your total.
For large concrete sidewalks and walkways, you may need a concrete mixer truck to deliver large quantities. The delivery cost via a truck often totals around $130 per cubic yard. That comes out to an average of $310 for a sidewalk or $200 for a standard walkway.
For smaller projects, some concrete installation companies may opt to mix the concrete in a portable mixer, which might mean no additional delivery charges are added to your total.
Type of Finish
If you choose standard flat concrete, you can expect to pay between $8 and $12 per square foot, which includes the materials and labor to pour the concrete and smooth it out with floats. You can also customize your walkway appearance using different concrete finishes, like stamped concrete to make your walkway look like flagstone, pavers, or colored concrete to add something unique to your property.
There are numerous concrete finishes you can choose from, and the table below includes a quick look at the typical price range per square foot.
| Type of Finish | Cost Per Sq. Ft. |
|---|---|
| Acid stained concrete | $12–$25 |
| Broom finish | $8–$12 |
| Colored concrete | $8–$12 |
| Exposed aggregate | $8–$12 |
| Polished concrete | $8–$12 |
| Salt finish | $8–$12 |
| Stained concrete | $18–$20 |
| Stamped concrete | $8–$12 |
| Trowel finish | $8–$12 |
Note that most municipalities will not allow for certain finishes like stamped concrete, polished concrete, or colored concrete for sidewalks. You can check local regulations, but most cities and towns have strict rules about the type of concrete and design you can use for your sidewalk. This is in large part because sidewalks are considered public property.
Ongoing Walkway and Sidewalk Costs
It’s a good idea to budget for long-term expenses in addition to your upfront concrete walkway cost so that you’re not surprised by ongoing maintenance or repairs.
Maintenance
All walkways will need maintenance from time to time, regardless of the material. Concrete walkways typically need less than pavers, but you should still plan on routine cleaning and resealing.
Power washing can cost between $0.20 and $0.40 per square foot, which would put your total between $40 and $80 for 200 square feet of walkway. You should also plan on resealing your concrete walkway every two to three years. Resealing costs around $1.50 per square foot on average, putting your total for a 200-square-foot walkway around $300.
Repairs
Concrete is a very durable material, but it can crack, chip, and crumble over time, especially if it’s exposed to drastic temperature fluctuations, severe weather, and soil movement with changes in moisture content.
You can’t really plan for walkway or sidewalk repair costs, but it’s handy to know what you’re up against if your concrete walkway does sustain damage.
| Repair | Average Cost per Sq. Ft. |
|---|---|
| Minor crack filling | $0.10–$0.15 |
| Resealing | $0.10–$0.16 |
| Resurfacing | $3–$5 |
| Sunken concrete | $3–$25 |
How Much Does a Concrete Walkway Cost To Install Yourself?
If you have concrete experience, you can give creating your own concrete walkway idea a shot.
You’ll save yourself an average of $1,350 in labor costs and only need to pay around $500 to $1,000 for materials to complete the job yourself. Remember that this project is hard work and involves a lot of back-breaking physical labor.
If you want to save yourself potential back pain, get the job done fast, and avoid filing for permits yourself, leave the project to the professionals. Hiring a concrete specialist near you will ensure everything goes smoothly. You also won’t have to worry about cracks or uneven layers that could decrease the life span of your concrete sidewalk, and they can handle larger projects like replacing concrete steps as well.
Cost of Common Walkway Add-Ons
If you’re already planning to have a masonry or concrete professional install a concrete walkway on your property, you might want to consider having them tackle add-on projects, as well. Doing multiple projects at the same time can save you money, as most contractors will discount some of their labor if they know more work is coming their way.
Below are some common add-ons for walkways that you might want to consider.
Decorative paver border: $200–$500
Flower beds: $200–$500
Heating coils: $3,000–$8,000
Outdoor bench installation: $300–$800
Wired lighting: $150 per fixture
How to Save Money on Concrete Sidewalk or Walkway Costs
There are a few ways you can save money when installing or replacing a sidewalk. We’ll list some money-saving tips below:
Do the project yourself. Bigger projects and those involving sidewalks might require help from a pro with professional equipment. But for smaller walkway projects, doing it DIY-style isn’t terribly complicated and can save an average of around $1,300.
Choose your slab thickness carefully. The cost of concrete slabs depends, to some extent, on the thickness. If you don’t need your walkway or sidewalk to support vehicle traffic at any point, you can keep costs down by installing standard 4-inch-thick concrete. Doing so should save around $100 for every 100 to 200 square feet of walkway.
Keep the design simple. If at all possible, avoid curves or angles on the edge of your walkway or sidewalk. Straight edges will always be easier and faster to create molds for, so they come with lower labor costs.
Choose your finish carefully. Stamped concrete and stained concrete can be great for accomplishing a unique appearance for your backyard walkway, but these finishes can drive up your installation costs by between $2 and $12 per square foot.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, concrete cracks happen, so there’s no surefire way to avoid them long-term. To slow down the cracking, apply a sealant every two to three years and use sand rather than salt to melt snow or ice. Using salt speeds up the freeze-thaw cycle, which may increase the likelihood of cracking. Additionally, keep vehicles and heavy machinery off of your concrete, as the weight can lead to more cracking.
A concrete pathway is very durable and can last upward of 30 years under normal conditions. Heavy snowfall and excessive heat may decrease this life span over time, as can vehicle traffic and salt applications during freezing conditions. Homeowners in extreme climates might notice cracking and deterioration after just 15 years, while those in more temperate climates should see multiple decades of life from their concrete.