The BidFlow 2026 Commercial Concrete Cost Index is the annual reference for commercial concrete pricing across all 50 US states plus DC, scoped to flatwork (slabs, sidewalks, parking lots) and engineered foundation work (commercial footings + slab-on-grade). National baseline cost runs $6 to $14/sf for flatwork and $9 to $22/sf footprint for foundation in 2026. Ready-mix concrete (3,000 to 4,000 PSI) delivered to site averages $140 to $195 per cubic yard.
State-level pricing varies from a low of $11.45/sf midpoint in Arkansas (-18% below national average) to a high of $18.45/sf midpoint in Hawaii (32% above national average). Methodology: RSMeans 2024 City Cost Index multipliers applied to a national base, layered with NRMCA-published ready-mix prices and BLS Area Wage Data 2025 for Cement Masons (BLS occupation 47-2051) and Construction Laborers (BLS occupation 47-3000).
The Index is the authority document behind the commercial concrete cost by state reference and the concrete cost calculator, which apply the same multipliers automatically when a user enters a project ZIP.
Key Findings (2026)
- State-to-state spread is 1.61x. The same 20,000 sf warehouse foundation that costs roughly $229,000 in Arkansas runs roughly $369,000 in Hawaii.
- Ready-mix delivered ranges from $135/CY in Mississippi to $320/CY in Hawaii on a midpoint basis. Hawaii's premium reflects the cost of importing cement and aggregate; Alaska reflects winter pour and remote-shipping premiums.
- 9 Tier 1 (high-cost) jurisdictions. Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, District of Columbia. Driven by union labor density, low-carbon mix mandates (California, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington), and limited in-state ready-mix capacity.
- 3 Tier 5 (lowest-cost) states. Arkansas, Mississippi, South Dakota. Open-shop labor markets and ample regional aggregate supply.
- Rebar tonnage is the single biggest cost variable on engineered foundations. Light flatwork rebar (#4 bar @ 18 inches o.c. each way) adds $0.80 to $1.60 per square foot; structural foundation rebar (#5 to #6 bar tied per drawing) adds $2.20 to $4.50 per square foot. Always pull rebar tonnage from the structural drawing before bidding.
- Winter pour premium of 10% to 25% applies to Northern-tier states from approximately November through March, covering heated blankets, accelerator admixture, cold-weather curing per ACI 306, and shortened pour-window scheduling. Texas, Florida, and the Southeast band see no winter premium.
10 Highest-Cost States and DC for Commercial Concrete (2026)
| # | State | CCI Multiplier | Midpoint Cost (sf) | Ready-Mix (mid) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | 1.32 | $18.45/sf midpoint | $320/CY ready-mix |
| 2 | Alaska | 1.30 | $18.20/sf midpoint | $270/CY ready-mix |
| 3 | New York | 1.30 | $18.20/sf midpoint | $238/CY ready-mix |
| 4 | California | 1.22 | $17.05/sf midpoint | $213/CY ready-mix |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 1.20 | $16.80/sf midpoint | $210/CY ready-mix |
| 6 | Connecticut | 1.18 | $16.55/sf midpoint | $205/CY ready-mix |
| 7 | New Jersey | 1.18 | $16.55/sf midpoint | $208/CY ready-mix |
| 8 | District of Columbia | 1.18 | $16.55/sf midpoint | $208/CY ready-mix |
| 9 | Rhode Island | 1.15 | $16.10/sf midpoint | $198/CY ready-mix |
| 10 | Delaware | 1.10 | $15.40/sf midpoint | $193/CY ready-mix |
10 Lowest-Cost States for Commercial Concrete (2026)
| # | State | CCI Multiplier | Midpoint Cost (sf) | Ready-Mix (mid) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arkansas | 0.82 | $11.45/sf midpoint | $140/CY ready-mix |
| 2 | Mississippi | 0.82 | $11.45/sf midpoint | $135/CY ready-mix |
| 3 | Alabama | 0.85 | $11.90/sf midpoint | $145/CY ready-mix |
| 4 | Oklahoma | 0.85 | $11.90/sf midpoint | $145/CY ready-mix |
| 5 | South Carolina | 0.85 | $11.90/sf midpoint | $145/CY ready-mix |
| 6 | South Dakota | 0.85 | $11.90/sf midpoint | $140/CY ready-mix |
| 7 | Tennessee | 0.85 | $11.90/sf midpoint | $145/CY ready-mix |
| 8 | North Carolina | 0.86 | $12.05/sf midpoint | $150/CY ready-mix |
| 9 | Idaho | 0.88 | $12.35/sf midpoint | $158/CY ready-mix |
| 10 | Kansas | 0.88 | $12.35/sf midpoint | $150/CY ready-mix |
Tier Breakdown by CCI Multiplier
The 50 states plus DC sort into five cost tiers under RSMeans 2024 methodology. Tier placement is the population-weighted average of major metro CCI values for each state, rounded to two decimals.
Tier 1 (high cost) (CCI 1.15 to 1.32)
9 jurisdictions: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, District of Columbia.
Tier 2 (above national) (CCI 1.04 to 1.10)
12 jurisdictions: Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, Washington.
Tier 3 (national average) (CCI 0.93 to 1.00)
9 jurisdictions: Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Utah, Wisconsin.
Tier 4 (below national) (CCI 0.85 to 0.92)
18 jurisdictions: Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Wyoming.
Tier 5 (lowest band) (CCI 0.82 to 0.85)
3 jurisdictions: Arkansas, Mississippi, South Dakota.
Methodology
Every range in this Index is computed deterministically. No hand-curated per-state numbers; one rule, fifty-one applications. Methodology cited at every layer for reviewability by appraisers, lender risk teams, and structural engineers.
National base
BidFlow internal commercial concrete cost methodology, calibrated to NRMCA member surveys, RSMeans 2024 published values, and BLS regional cost indices. Published as ranges, not point numbers, because PSI grade, finish complexity, rebar tonnage, weather access, and pumping requirements drive most of the variance.
State CCI multipliers
Multipliers reference RSMeans 2024 City Cost Index methodology for MasterFormat divisions 03 30 00 (Cast-in-Place Concrete) and 03 31 00 (Structural Concrete). State-level multipliers are the population-weighted average of major-metro CCI values for the state, rounded to two decimals.
Ready-mix prices
Ranges represent typical 2026 commercial ready-mix concrete pricing delivered to site for 3,000 to 4,000 PSI mix. Sourced from NRMCA (National Ready Mixed Concrete Association) member surveys, ENR Construction Cost Report 2026, and regional concrete supplier publications. Pumping, weekend delivery, short-load fees, and admixtures (fiber, fly ash, accelerator) are extra.
Labor rates
Total package hourly rates for Cement Masons (BLS occupation 47-2051) and Construction Laborers (BLS occupation 47-3000) drawn from BLS Area Wage Data 2025. Total package includes base wage plus health, pension, and other contractually-loaded costs typical of metro union locals. Open-shop crews typically run 15-25% below these numbers but benchmark to prevailing wage on federally-funded or state-permitted projects.
Rebar premium
Rebar adds $0.80 to $1.60 per square foot of flatwork at light-duty mat density (#4 bar @ 18 inches o.c. each way) and $2.20 to $4.50 per square foot of foundation at structural density (#5 to #6 bar tied per engineered drawing). Rebar tonnage is the single biggest variable on engineered foundation pricing; ask the structural engineer for the per-sf weight before bidding.
Weather and weekend premiums
Winter pour premiums of 10% to 25% on Northern-tier states (heated blankets, accelerator admix, cold-weather curing per ACI 306). Weekend or off-hours delivery surcharges of 15% to 30% on the ready-mix per-CY rate.
What this Index does not capture
Project-level variance is driven by site-specific factors that no state-level table can predict: PSI grade and mix design (3,000 PSI vs 5,000 PSI), rebar tonnage per engineered drawing, finish complexity, subgrade prep on poor soils, weather access, pumping requirements on tight urban sites, and weekend or off-hours delivery surcharges. These factors can each shift project cost by 15 to 40 percent on either side of the state-level midpoint.
Appendix: All States, Sorted Alphabetically
Detailed ranges by cost category, ready-mix prices, labor rates, and notes for each state are in the state-by-state reference. The summary table below is the at-a-glance view.
| State | CCI Mult | Tier | Cost Range ($/sf installed) | Ready-Mix ($/CY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 0.85 | Tier 4 (below national) | $5.1 to $18.7/sf | $125 to $165/CY |
| Alaska | 1.30 | Tier 1 (high cost) | $7.8 to $28.6/sf | $220 to $320/CY |
| Arizona | 0.90 | Tier 4 (below national) | $5.4 to $19.8/sf | $135 to $175/CY |
| Arkansas | 0.82 | Tier 5 (lowest band) | $4.9 to $18/sf | $120 to $160/CY |
| California | 1.22 | Tier 1 (high cost) | $7.3 to $26.8/sf | $180 to $245/CY |
| Colorado | 1.04 | Tier 2 (above national) | $6.2 to $22.9/sf | $155 to $210/CY |
| Connecticut | 1.18 | Tier 1 (high cost) | $7.1 to $26/sf | $175 to $235/CY |
| Delaware | 1.10 | Tier 2 (above national) | $6.6 to $24.2/sf | $165 to $220/CY |
| District of Columbia | 1.18 | Tier 1 (high cost) | $7.1 to $26/sf | $175 to $240/CY |
| Florida | 0.94 | Tier 3 (national average) | $5.6 to $20.7/sf | $145 to $195/CY |
| Georgia | 0.92 | Tier 4 (below national) | $5.5 to $20.2/sf | $135 to $180/CY |
| Hawaii | 1.32 | Tier 1 (high cost) | $7.9 to $29/sf | $260 to $380/CY |
| Idaho | 0.88 | Tier 4 (below national) | $5.3 to $19.4/sf | $135 to $180/CY |
| Illinois | 1.10 | Tier 2 (above national) | $6.6 to $24.2/sf | $165 to $220/CY |
| Indiana | 0.95 | Tier 3 (national average) | $5.7 to $20.9/sf | $140 to $185/CY |
| Iowa | 0.92 | Tier 4 (below national) | $5.5 to $20.2/sf | $135 to $175/CY |
| Kansas | 0.88 | Tier 4 (below national) | $5.3 to $19.4/sf | $130 to $170/CY |
| Kentucky | 0.90 | Tier 4 (below national) | $5.4 to $19.8/sf | $130 to $175/CY |
| Louisiana | 0.93 | Tier 3 (national average) | $5.6 to $20.5/sf | $135 to $180/CY |
| Maine | 1.05 | Tier 2 (above national) | $6.3 to $23.1/sf | $155 to $210/CY |
| Maryland | 1.10 | Tier 2 (above national) | $6.6 to $24.2/sf | $165 to $225/CY |
| Massachusetts | 1.20 | Tier 1 (high cost) | $7.2 to $26.4/sf | $180 to $240/CY |
| Michigan | 1.00 | Tier 3 (national average) | $6 to $22/sf | $150 to $200/CY |
| Minnesota | 1.04 | Tier 2 (above national) | $6.2 to $22.9/sf | $160 to $215/CY |
| Mississippi | 0.82 | Tier 5 (lowest band) | $4.9 to $18/sf | $115 to $155/CY |
| Missouri | 0.95 | Tier 3 (national average) | $5.7 to $20.9/sf | $140 to $185/CY |
| Montana | 0.92 | Tier 4 (below national) | $5.5 to $20.2/sf | $140 to $185/CY |
| Nebraska | 0.88 | Tier 4 (below national) | $5.3 to $19.4/sf | $130 to $170/CY |
| Nevada | 0.97 | Tier 3 (national average) | $5.8 to $21.3/sf | $150 to $200/CY |
| New Hampshire | 1.10 | Tier 2 (above national) | $6.6 to $24.2/sf | $165 to $220/CY |
| New Jersey | 1.18 | Tier 1 (high cost) | $7.1 to $26/sf | $175 to $240/CY |
| New Mexico | 0.88 | Tier 4 (below national) | $5.3 to $19.4/sf | $135 to $180/CY |
| New York | 1.30 | Tier 1 (high cost) | $7.8 to $28.6/sf | $195 to $280/CY |
| North Carolina | 0.86 | Tier 4 (below national) | $5.2 to $18.9/sf | $130 to $170/CY |
| North Dakota | 0.92 | Tier 4 (below national) | $5.5 to $20.2/sf | $140 to $185/CY |
| Ohio | 0.97 | Tier 3 (national average) | $5.8 to $21.3/sf | $145 to $195/CY |
| Oklahoma | 0.85 | Tier 4 (below national) | $5.1 to $18.7/sf | $125 to $165/CY |
| Oregon | 1.10 | Tier 2 (above national) | $6.6 to $24.2/sf | $165 to $220/CY |
| Pennsylvania | 1.10 | Tier 2 (above national) | $6.6 to $24.2/sf | $160 to $215/CY |
| Rhode Island | 1.15 | Tier 1 (high cost) | $6.9 to $25.3/sf | $170 to $225/CY |
| South Carolina | 0.85 | Tier 4 (below national) | $5.1 to $18.7/sf | $125 to $165/CY |
| South Dakota | 0.85 | Tier 5 (lowest band) | $5.1 to $18.7/sf | $120 to $160/CY |
| Tennessee | 0.85 | Tier 4 (below national) | $5.1 to $18.7/sf | $125 to $165/CY |
| Texas | 0.88 | Tier 4 (below national) | $5.3 to $19.4/sf | $125 to $175/CY |
| Utah | 0.95 | Tier 3 (national average) | $5.7 to $20.9/sf | $145 to $190/CY |
| Vermont | 1.05 | Tier 2 (above national) | $6.3 to $23.1/sf | $160 to $215/CY |
| Virginia | 1.05 | Tier 2 (above national) | $6.3 to $23.1/sf | $155 to $210/CY |
| Washington | 1.10 | Tier 2 (above national) | $6.6 to $24.2/sf | $165 to $220/CY |
| West Virginia | 0.88 | Tier 4 (below national) | $5.3 to $19.4/sf | $135 to $180/CY |
| Wisconsin | 1.00 | Tier 3 (national average) | $6 to $22/sf | $150 to $200/CY |
| Wyoming | 0.90 | Tier 4 (below national) | $5.4 to $19.8/sf | $140 to $185/CY |
How to Use the Index
The Index is budgetary. Three workflows for the three audiences it serves:
- Commercial GCs running flatwork or foundation packages. Use the state midpoint as the defensible cost basis for the budgetary number that goes to the developer. The concrete calculator applies the same regional adjustment to the project's specific dimensions.
- Commercial real estate appraisers running cost approach valuations. The state CCI multiplier in this Index aligns with RSMeans 2024 published values. Cite the multiplier in the cost approach worksheet; cite this Index as the methodology source.
- Structural engineers writing performance specs and budget addenda. The state-level ready-mix range gives you a defensible cost-of-mix anchor. Pair with the project's actual rebar take-off to land within +/- 15% of the contractor bid.
The Index is updated annually as RSMeans publishes the next CCI edition and BLS refreshes Area Wage Data. Ready-mix prices are reviewed quarterly because cement and aggregate move faster than annual cycles.
This Index is the source of truth behind every regional commercial concrete cost surface on BidFlow: the state-by-state reference article, the concrete cost calculator with its regional CCI overlay, and the upcoming Lake County Ohio metro deep-dive (paralleling the demolition lighthouse). One data file, one methodology, three ranking surfaces. For demolition pricing on the same regional methodology, see the 2026 Commercial Demolition Cost Index.
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