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Concrete vs Pavers: Which Is Better for Your Driveway?

Cost, durability, maintenance and curb appeal for the two most common driveway materials.

BuildMate Editorial Updated March 2026 7 min read

2026 installed cost comparison

Poured concrete driveways average $8–$14 per square foot installed. Interlocking concrete pavers run $14–$24. Natural stone pavers push $22–$40. For a typical 600 sq ft two-car driveway, that's roughly $4,800–$8,400 for concrete vs $8,400–$14,400 for pavers.

Durability and repair

Poured slabs last 25–30 years but crack — and repairs are visible. Pavers effectively last 40+ years, and if one lifts or stains you replace that single unit. In freeze-thaw climates (Midwest, Northeast, Mountain West), pavers over a proper base handle movement dramatically better than a monolithic pour.

Which one wins on resale

Appraisers in 2026 assign roughly 70–80% cost recovery to a paver driveway on homes above the neighborhood median, versus 50–60% for stamped concrete and closer to 45% for plain concrete. If your home is entry-level for its market, stick with concrete — you won't recoup paver premiums.