How Much Does Concrete Cost?
Ready-mix concrete averages about $160 per cubic yard for the material in 2026, before delivery and short-load fees. For small jobs, bagged concrete mix runs roughly $4–$6 a bag. The table and calculator below help you compare bags vs. ready-mix for your slab, footing, or column. For a full installed cost breakdown, see the concrete slab cost guide.
Average prices by region
National-average material prices adjusted by region. Updated 2026-06-20. Estimates only — not quotes.
| Material | National | Northeast | South | Midwest | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ready-mix concrete / yd³ | $160.00 | $184.00 | $147.20 | $155.20 | $179.20 |
| 80 lb concrete bag / bag | $6.00 | $6.90 | $5.52 | $5.82 | $6.72 |
| 60 lb concrete bag / bag | $5.00 | $5.75 | $4.60 | $4.85 | $5.60 |
| 40 lb concrete bag / bag | $4.00 | $4.60 | $3.68 | $3.88 | $4.48 |
What affects the price
- Ready-mix vs. bagged — bags win for tiny jobs, ready-mix for anything over ~1 cubic yard.
- Delivery, short-load, and Saturday fees from the ready-mix plant.
- Mix strength (PSI), fiber, and additives.
- Finishing labor, forms, and rebar are extra (not included here).
Concrete Price Per Cubic Yard (2026)
Ready-mix concrete is sold by the cubic yard and typically priced between $140 and $175 per yard for standard 3,000–4,000 PSI residential mixes in 2026. The regional table above shows current averages by area — the Northeast runs about 15% higher than the national average; the South roughly 8% lower.
Most ready-mix plants set a minimum order of 8–10 cubic yards per truck. If your pour is smaller, expect a short-load fee of $15–$25 per yard short of the minimum. A 2-yard pour could add $90–$200 in short-load fees on top of the material price — worth factoring in when deciding between bags and ready-mix.
To calculate how many cubic yards your project needs, use the concrete calculator above. Enter your slab dimensions (or column diameter and height), select a waste factor, and the result shows cubic yards plus an estimated ready-mix cost.
| Pour size | Cubic yards | Material cost (national avg) | Short-load fee (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 slab, 4″ | 0.31 yd³ | ~$50 | $110–$175 (high) |
| 12×12 slab, 4″ | 0.44 yd³ | ~$70 | $100–$165 |
| 20×20 slab, 4″ | 1.23 yd³ | ~$200 | $65–$110 |
| 20×20 slab, 6″ | 1.85 yd³ | ~$296 | $40–$75 |
| Full truck (8–10 yd³) | 8–10 yd³ | $1,280–$1,600 | None |
Estimate your project
Enter your dimensions to get a quantity and cost estimate. For the full tool, open the Concrete Calculator .
Project inputs
How this is calculated
- Volume = 10 ft × 10 ft × (4 in ÷ 12) = 33.33 ft³
- Add 10% waste → 36.67 ft³
- Cubic yards = 36.67 ft³ ÷ 27 = 1.36 yd³
- Premix bags = 36.67 ft³ ÷ 0.6 ft³/bag = 62 bags
≈ 1 ready-mix truck load(s) at ~10 yd³ each
Premix bag count is for the selected bag size — use bags or ready-mix, not both.
The math
National-average prices, adjusted by region. Edit any unit price to match a local quote. Estimate only.
How we estimate these prices
National-average material prices from ready-mix and home-center listings, adjusted by region. Excludes delivery, pumping, and finishing labor. Always confirm with a local supplier.