Concrete vs Pavers Cost
Poured concrete is cheaper up front than pavers. HomeGuide puts a concrete driveway at $6 to $12 per square foot against $10 to $20 for pavers. For patios, Lawn Love gives $8.65 to $16.65 for pavers.
Price per square foot
| Material | Bob Vila, Oct 2023 [1] | HomeGuide [2] | Lawn Love, Dec 2025 [3] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poured concrete | $4–$30 (basic about $4; stained or stamped $5–$20) | $6–$11 average; driveway $6–$12 | Patio $4–$26 |
| Concrete pavers | $8–$15 | Driveway $10–$20 | Paver patio $8.65–$16.65 |
| Brick pavers | $10–$20 | — | — |
| Natural stone | $15–$50 | — | Flagstone $15 to over $25 |
A 12 × 24 ft patio (288 sq ft)
| Option | Cost | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Plain concrete | $2,970–$3,640 | $10.30–$12.64 per sq ft (Homewyse, May 2026) [4] |
| Pavers | $2,490–$4,800 | $8.65–$16.65 per sq ft (Lawn Love) [3] |
The ranges overlap because they come from different sources with different assumptions. Within any single source, pavers cost more than plain poured concrete.
Beyond the price
- Repairs. A cracked slab section usually means patching or replacing that section. Pavers can be lifted and relaid one at a time. HomeGuide says pavers win on 50-year total cost [2].
- Look. Stamped concrete imitates pavers or stone, but it’s still one slab: basic stamping runs $10–$14 per sq ft (Concrete Network), close to paver prices.
- DIY. A small paver patio is a realistic DIY job. A large concrete pour needs a crew working fast before it sets.
Frequently asked questions
Are pavers more expensive than concrete?
Up front, yes, in every source we checked. HomeGuide gives $6–$12 per sq ft for a concrete driveway against $10–$20 for pavers. Bob Vila gives $8–$15 for concrete pavers, against about $4 for basic poured concrete.
Which lasts longer, pavers or concrete?
HomeGuide says poured concrete is cheaper up front but pavers win on 50-year total cost. We haven't seen long-term cost data we can verify, so treat that as HomeGuide's view.
How much does a 12x24 paver patio cost compared with concrete?
About $2,490–$4,800 in pavers at Lawn Love's $8.65–$16.65 per sq ft, against $2,970–$3,640 in plain concrete at Homewyse's $10.30–$12.64.
Sources
- Bob Vila, Cost of pavers vs. concrete, updated 2023-10-28. Checked September 23, 2026.
- HomeGuide, Cost of pavers vs. concrete. Figure as shown in the page's search listing; checked September 23, 2026.
- Lawn Love, Concrete patio cost, updated 2025-12-27. Checked September 23, 2026.
- Homewyse, Cost to install a concrete patio, updated 2026-05. Checked September 23, 2026.