Concrete vs. Pavers (San Diego 2025): Cost, Repairs, Drainage & Value

Updated August 2025 — San Diego County

If you’re choosing between concrete and pavers for a patio, pool deck, walkway or driveway in San Diego, the key factors are: upfront price, maintenance & repairs, drainage, comfort/traction, and curb appeal/value. Below is a no-fluff comparison with current 2025 local pricing and clear examples.

Pro tip: If you’re considering stamped finishes as well, see our deep dive: Stamped Concrete vs. Pavers (San Diego, 2025).
For line‑item math on paver projects, see the Paver Patio Cost in San Diego (2025) guide and use the Paver Cost Calculator. If you want a vetted crew, here are our San Diego paver installation contractors.

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Cost in San Diego (2025)

Concrete (plain/broom slab): most quotes land around $9–$16/sq ft installed for simple slabs, with patios often
$11–$22/sq ft and driveways $10–$19/sq ft depending on thickness, reinforcement, subgrade, demo, and access.

Stamped/decorative concrete: typically $12–$20/sq ft for basic stamped patterns; $18–$28+/sq ft for premium designs with borders, multi‑color hardeners, and complex layouts.

Pavers (installed): generally $20–$35/sq ft in San Diego. Drivers include base depth & compaction, access/demo, material (concrete vs. porcelain vs. stone), pattern complexity, edges/steps, lighting, drainage, and scale.

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Real‑world Cost Examples

Surface	400 sq ft (patio)	1,000 sq ft (larger area)
Concrete (plain/broom)	≈ $3,600–$6,400 @ $9–$16/sq ft	≈ $9,000–$16,000
Concrete (typical patio)	≈ $4,520–$8,680 @ $11.30–$21.70/sq ft	≈ $11,300–$21,700
Concrete (driveway)	Project‑specific (thickness/reinforcement); driveway quotes often exceed patio rates	≈ $9,740–$19,160 @ $9.74–$19.16/sq ft
Stamped concrete (basic)	≈ $4,800–$8,000 @ $12–$20/sq ft	≈ $12,000–$20,000
Stamped concrete (premium)	≈ $7,200–$11,200+ @ $18–$28+/sq ft	≈ $18,000–$28,000+
Pavers (installed)	≈ $8,000–$14,000 @ $20–$35/sq ft	≈ $20,000–$35,000

Assumptions: normal site access, typical subgrade prep, 4″–5″ slab (patio/driveway per spec), or 4″–6″+ compacted base for pavers; excludes unusual demo, steep slopes, major drainage corrections, and premium finishes unless noted.

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Maintenance & Repairs

Concrete (plain/stamped): Plain gray concrete is low‑touch but cracks are permanent—repairs and color matching usually show. Stamped/decorative installs often need resealing every 2–4 years to protect color and finish.

Pavers: Joints may need sand refresh over time; sealing is optional for color/cleanability. If settlement or roots create a bump, pros can lift, re‑level, and reset the same units—repairs are fast and invisible.

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Drainage & Site Conditions

Concrete: Relies on accurate slab grading and surface drains. Movement from soils or roots can telegraph as cracks. Retro‑fitting drains after the pour is invasive (saw‑cutting/trenching/patching).

Pavers: Easier to integrate permeable assemblies, catch basins, and under‑drain piping. Modular systems tolerate minor ground movement and allow targeted re‑leveling if needed.

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Aesthetics & Comfort

• Design: Pavers offer the broadest mix of sizes, patterns, and textures. Concrete can be stained/stamped, but premium stamps can approach paver pricing.
• Heat & traction: Light colors and textured finishes stay cooler and grip better. Around pools, choose light tones and matte/anti‑slip treatments (for stamped) or textured pavers.

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When Each Wins

Driveways: Choose pavers—best for heavy loads and invisible repairs if sections move. Concrete has lower upfront cost but cracks are difficult to fix cleanly.

Patios: Both can work. If you want premium look + easy long‑term maintenance, choose pavers. If you need the lowest initial price and accept the crack/repair trade‑off, concrete is fine.

Pool decks: Pavers for traction, drainage, and repairability. Stamped can work with light colors + anti‑slip + matte sealer and good shade planning.

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FAQs

Is plain concrete cheaper than pavers in San Diego?

Yes. Simple slabs typically run $9–$16/sq ft (patios often $11–$22; driveways $10–$19), while pavers are generally $20–$35/sq ft installed.

Are stamped concrete and pavers the same price?

Basic stamped concrete can be $12–$20/sq ft, but premium stamps with borders/colors often reach $18–$28+/sq ft—overlapping with lower‑mid paver projects.

Which is easier to repair?

Pavers. Individual units can be lifted and reset or swapped. Concrete crack/patch repairs usually remain visible.

How long does a 400 sq ft install take?

Paver patios commonly take ~2–3 days with a 4–5 person crew (site‑dependent). Concrete pours quickly but requires a cure/seal window before heavy use.

What adds cost most?

Access/demolition, base depth or slab thickness, drainage fixes, complex patterns/borders, steps/edges, lighting, and premium materials (porcelain pavers, multi‑color stamps).

 

Serving San Diego County: Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, La Jolla, Carmel Valley, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Poway, Fairbanks Ranch, Oceanside, San Marcos, and more.