Permit record · Illinois
What Chicago paid for a garage
Not an estimate. We read 2,470 permits filed with Chicago and took the value written on each one.
Half of these jobs landed between $15,944 and $34,817. One in ten came in under $9,791; one in ten ran past $60,118.
The same job, other cities
| City | Median | Typical range | Permits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | $25,000 | $15,944 – $34,817 | 2,470 |
| Seattle, WA | $50,542 | $25,000 – $159,294 | 311 |
| Kansas City, MO | $50,000 | $25,000 – $93,900 | 127 |
| Raleigh, NC | $47,485 | $24,312 – $110,544 | 201 |
| Corona, CA | $45,000 | $25,000 – $80,000 | 57 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $35,000 | $15,000 – $62,000 | 6,290 |
| Montgomery County, MD | $33,500 | $15,000 – $85,000 | 220 |
| Detroit, MI | $28,090 | $15,000 – $150,000 | 250 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $27,866 | $8,000 – $43,775 | 33 |
| New York, NY | $27,300 | $10,000 – $73,500 | 2,352 |
| New Orleans, LA | $25,000 | $10,998 – $61,939 | 117 |
| Marin County, CA | $22,000 | $9,600 – $79,000 | 113 |
| San Francisco, CA | $20,000 | $10,000 – $50,000 | 749 |
| Everett, WA | $20,000 | $10,000 – $60,000 | 205 |
| Sacramento, CA | $20,000 | $8,322 – $50,000 | 136 |
| Anaheim, CA | $10,000 | $5,000 – $15,000 | 71 |
Across the cities we cover, the same job runs from $10,000 in Anaheim to $50,542 in Seattle — a 5.1× spread. See all cities →
Other projects in Chicago
| Project | Median | Permits |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Panels | $19,266 | 3,657 |
| Roof Replacement | $22,981 | 1,951 |
| Interior Remodel | $100,000 | 1,266 |
| Home Addition | $150,000 | 1,175 |
| Kitchen Remodel | $25,000 | 1,027 |
| Deck or Patio | $26,645 | 1,009 |
| Electrical Panel Upgrade | $5,000 | 613 |
| Bathroom Remodel | $23,914 | 606 |
| HVAC Replacement | $20,000 | 498 |
| Water Heater | $6,000 | 310 |
| Siding or Stucco | $18,577 | 59 |
| Window Replacement | $20,000 | 55 |
| ADU / Guest House | $94,100 | 51 |
| Foundation Repair | $52,850 | 49 |
| Swimming Pool | $100,000 | 31 |
Source
Source: City of Chicago Department of Buildings — Building Permits. Permits issued in the last 24 months, classified by the work described on the permit. The figure is the declared value of the work — what the applicant reported to the city. It excludes work done without a permit and can sit below a final invoice. Read the full methodology. Data refreshed 2026-09-04.