Texas Concrete Prices, Codes & Climate

Ready-mix cost, climate and soil conditions, and who sets the requirements in Texas.

Ready-mix cost range
$130–$175per cubic yard
Frost depth reference
10″reference only
ACI 318 exposure classes
F0 · C1 · S1
Air entrainment
not required in most of the state

How much does concrete cost in Texas?

Ready-mix in Texas runs roughly $130 to $175 per cubic yard. That is an estimated band, not a quote — published US price sources disagree with each other by nearly two to one. How we source price figures.

Ready-mix price range: Texas vs. the US average
View data table
Ready-mix price range: Texas vs. the US average
RegionLow ($/yd³)High ($/yd³)
Texas130175
US average138178

What does the Texas climate require?

Hot-weather concreting per ACI 305 applies for much of the year; place early morning in summer.

Under ACI 318, Texas falls in exposure classes F0, C1, S1. Air entrainment is not required in most of the state. Air entrainment is required for classes F1, F2 and F3.

How deep is the frost line in Texas?

Compiled reference tables put Texas at about 10 inches. That figure is orientation only. The footing depth you actually have to build to is determined by your local building department — IRC R403.1.4 requires footings to extend below the locally determined frost line, and there is no national number.

Soil concerns

Blackland Prairie expansive clay across DFW, Austin and San Antonio drives slab-on-grade design and post-tensioned foundations.

Seismic

Very low seismicity statewide; no special seismic detailing for residential flatwork.

Contractor licensing

Texas has no statewide general contractor license. Licensing is handled at city level; check the municipal building department. Check the official source.

Cities

  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Dallas
  • Austin
  • Fort Worth
  • El Paso