Ohio · NRMCA 2026 · Updated June 2026

Concrete Prices in Ohio — 2026 Cost Guide + Calculator

Ready-mix concrete material in Ohio costs $105–$138 per cubic yard in 2026 — one of the cheapest states in the US. You may see quotes of $140–$160/yd³ online — those include labor and overhead. The actual NRMCA material average is $120/yd³. One key Ohio caveat: air entrainment is nearly always required here, adding $4–$8/yd³ to protect against Ohio's 40–60 annual freeze-thaw cycles.

Calculate Ohio Cost Prices by City

$105–$138

Ohio ready-mix material range per yd³ (2026)

$120

Ohio statewide average — 6% below national avg

$4–$12

Installed cost per sq ft including labor and subbase

40–60

Annual freeze-thaw cycles — air entrainment required statewide

Quick Answer

Ohio Concrete Prices — Material vs Installed

The $140–$160/yd³ figures cited online are installed project costs converted to per-yard numbers. Ohio's actual ready-mix material averages $120/yd³ statewide — among the lowest in the US. However, Ohio's severe winters mean air-entrained concrete is standard for all exterior work, adding $4–$8/yd³. Budget $124–$128/yd³ for a realistic material estimate with air.

Why Ohio is cheap

Ohio sits on massive limestone deposits — the primary aggregate for concrete. Combined with flat Midwest terrain, non-union labor in most markets, and plant overcapacity from flat population growth, Ohio consistently ranks as one of the 5 cheapest states for ready-mix material.

Ohio vs National — 2026

Ohio avg (standard mix)$120/yd³

+ Air entrainment (required)+$4–$8/yd³

Ohio realistic material avg$124–$128/yd³

US national avg$128/yd³

Installed range (OH)$4–$12/sq ft

Short load penalty (under 3 yd³)Up to $295–$333/yd³

Free Tool — Ohio Pricing

Ohio Concrete Cost Calculator

Pre-loaded with Ohio 2026 pricing including air entrainment. Select your city for the most accurate local estimate.

Ohio Concrete Calculator — 2026 OH Pricing

Length

Width

Thickness

Your Ohio city / area

Cubic Yards Needed

—yd³

80 lb bags

—

Quikrete / Sakrete

Ready-mix trucks

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@ 10 yd³ / load

Ohio Cost Estimate

Material (ready-mix + air)—

Installed (incl. labor)—

Total installed rangeEnter dimensions above

Prices include air entrainment (standard in Ohio). Short loads under 3 yd³ carry heavy surcharges — see guide below. Always get 3 local quotes from Ernst, IMI, or local independents.

Local Data

Concrete Prices in Ohio — City by City

Ohio's 31% price spread from SW Ohio ($105) to remote NE Ohio ($138) is driven by industrial demand in Cleveland vs. rural plant competition and population decline in SW Ohio.

City / Area	Low	Average	High	Key factors
SW Ohio / Miami Valley Dayton, Springfield, Middletown	$100	$105	$120	Ernst Concrete dominates; limestone abundant; flat demand keeps prices low
Cincinnati metro Cincinnati, Northern KY, Hamilton	$103	$108	$125	Multiple suppliers compete; cross-border KY plants add options
Toledo	$108	$112	$128	Lake Erie port access for aggregate; moderate industrial demand
Columbus metro Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, Grove City	$110	$115	$132	IMI strong market; growing tech economy pushing demand; best mid-state value
Akron / Canton	$118	$124	$142	Rubber belt industrial demand; NE Ohio labor premium
Cleveland metro Cleveland, Parma, Lakewood, Euclid	$122	$128	$148	Largest OH market; urban traffic adds delivery cost; industrial demand
NE Ohio rural Youngstown area, Mahoning Valley, rural NE	$125	$132	$155	Post-industrial demand decline but fewer competing plants; short loads very expensive

All prices include air entrainment standard for Ohio exterior work. Source: NRMCA 2026 · RS Means Ohio metro data.

Project Reference

Ohio Concrete Cost by Project — 2026

Using Ohio statewide average of $120/yd³ for material. All prices include air entrainment. Installed costs use RS Means Ohio labor rates.

Project	Dimensions	Thickness	Yd³	Material (OH avg)	Installed (OH)
Small patio	10×10 ft	4"	1.4	$152–$182	$400–$1,200
20×20 slab	20×20 ft	4"	5.5	$600–$718	$1,600–$4,800
30×40 slab @ 4"	30×40 ft	4"	16.5	$1,800–$2,153	$4,800–$14,400
30×30 slab	30×30 ft	4"	12.4	$1,354–$1,619	$3,600–$10,800
Single driveway	40×12 ft	6"	9.8	$1,070–$1,279	$3,072–$7,680
2-car garage floor	24×24 ft	4"	8.7	$950–$1,136	$2,765–$6,912
40×60 barn / shop	40×60 ft	6"	49.3	$5,386–$6,439	$11,520–$28,800

Cleveland metro adds 5–10% to installed costs. SW Ohio (Dayton, Cincinnati) is typically $300–$600 less on material for the same project vs Cleveland.

Ohio-Specific Factor

Air Entrainment in Ohio — Why It's Not Optional and What It Costs

Ohio experiences 40–60 freeze-thaw cycles per year across most of the state — significantly more than Southern states and among the highest in the contiguous US. Each cycle causes water trapped in concrete pores to expand 9% as it freezes, progressively destroying the concrete surface through a process called spalling.

ACI 318 and the Ohio Building Code require air-entrained concrete for all exterior slabs in freeze-thaw climates. Air entrainment introduces microscopic air bubbles (3–6% of volume) that give expanding ice room to move without cracking the paste matrix. Cost: $4–$8/yd³ above standard mix.

Never skip this in Ohio

A contractor quoting non-air-entrained concrete for an Ohio exterior slab is either cutting corners or working in a state without freeze-thaw requirements. Ask explicitly: "Is this mix air-entrained?" If not, request it or find a different supplier.

Deicing salt doubles the damage

Ohio's road deicing salts (chlorides) penetrate concrete and accelerate freeze-thaw damage and rebar corrosion. For driveways near salted roads, specify a 0.40 water-cement ratio maximum and consider a sealer applied every 2–3 years. This is standard practice in NE Ohio — less common in SW Ohio where contractors sometimes skip it.

Ernst Concrete (SW Ohio) vs IMI (Columbus/Central)

Ernst Concrete dominates Cincinnati and Dayton markets — they operate 25+ plants and offer competitive bulk pricing. IMI Ready Mix is the dominant supplier in Columbus and central Ohio. Both typically price 5–10% below Cleveland competitors. If you're between markets, always get quotes from both.

Short-load warning — NE Ohio

As documented in NE Ohio forums: 2-yard orders for 4,000 PSI air-entrained concrete run $590–$667 in NE Ohio — that's $295–$333/yd³. For small projects in NE Ohio, bags are often cheaper under 2 yards. Always ask your plant for the short-load schedule before ordering.

Pro Tips — Ohio Market

How to Get the Best Concrete Price in Ohio

Order 3+ yards to avoid short-load penalty

Ohio plants typically add heavy short-load surcharges under 3–5 yards. In NE Ohio, a 2-yard order at $590 is $295/yd³ vs $128/yd³ for a full load. If your project is 2–3 yards, see if a neighbor has a project you can combine or order extra to use for other work.

Compare Ernst vs IMI vs local independents

In SW Ohio: Ernst Concrete, Redi-Rock, and local independents. In Columbus: IMI, Buckeye Ready Mix, and Ohio Ready Mix. In Cleveland: K&L, Ozinga, and Sardinia Ready Mix. Price spreads of $10–$20/yd³ between suppliers in the same metro are common — always get 3 quotes.

Spring and fall for best availability

Ohio's construction season peaks May–September. April and October often offer better pricing and contractor availability. Avoid pouring when ground temperature is below 40°F — cold weather concrete adds $8–$15/yd³ for heating and insulated blankets.

Specify 3,500 PSI for driveways — not 3,000

Given Ohio's freeze-thaw cycles and road salt exposure, 3,500 PSI air-entrained concrete is the de facto standard for driveways and exterior slabs. The cost difference vs 3,000 PSI is $6–$10/yd³ — a $60–$100 premium on a typical driveway that significantly extends service life.

Common Questions

Concrete Prices in Ohio — FAQ

How much is concrete per yard in Ohio today?

Ready-mix concrete material in Ohio costs $105–$138 per cubic yard in 2026, with a statewide average of $120/yd³ before air entrainment. Since air-entrained concrete is standard for Ohio exterior work (required for freeze-thaw resistance), budget $124–$128/yd³ for a realistic material cost. Cleveland metro averages $128/yd³; SW Ohio (Dayton, Cincinnati) averages $105–$108/yd³.

How much does a 30×40×4 concrete slab cost in Ohio?

A 30×40 ft slab at 4 inches thick in Ohio requires: 30 × 40 × (4/12) = 400 ft³ ÷ 27 = 14.8 cubic yards. With 10% overage, that's approximately 16.3 cubic yards. At Ohio's $120/yd³ average, material cost runs $1,780–$2,130. Installed cost for a 1,200 sq ft slab in Ohio runs $4,800–$14,400 depending on location and site conditions.

What's the average cost of a 20×20 concrete slab in Ohio?

A 20×20 ft slab at 4 inches thick in Ohio requires about 5.5 cubic yards. Material cost runs $600–$718. Installed cost runs $1,600–$4,800 — SW Ohio (Cincinnati, Dayton) at the low end, Cleveland metro at the high end. Remember Ohio exterior slabs require air-entrained concrete, already included in these estimates.

What is the 90-minute rule for concrete in Ohio?

ASTM C94 requires concrete to be discharged within 90 minutes of water contact. In Ohio, cold weather actually extends the working window slightly (hydration slows below 50°F), but hot summer days in Cincinnati or Columbus shorten it. Cleveland's industrial traffic can delay trucks in urban areas. Most Ohio plants recommend scheduling pours before 10am in summer to avoid afternoon heat and traffic.

Is Ernst Concrete the cheapest option in SW Ohio?

Ernst Concrete is the dominant supplier in Cincinnati and Dayton with 25+ plants, which generally means competitive pricing. However, "dominant" doesn't always mean cheapest — local independents in Middletown, Hamilton, and rural SW Ohio often quote $5–$10/yd³ less for standard residential work. Always compare Ernst with at least one independent and one other regional supplier before committing.

Sources

Reviewed by the ConcreteCalc Editorial Team

Construction & Materials Research

Ohio city-level pricing from NRMCA 2026 and RS Means cost multipliers for Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Akron markets. Short-load penalty data from contractor-reported NE Ohio pricing (industry forums, 2025–2026). Air entrainment requirements from ACI 318-19 Table 19.3.3. Ernst Concrete and IMI market coverage from PCA plant database. Updated June 2026.