Concrete Material Cost Per Cubic Yard (By PSI Tier)

Delivered ready-mix concrete material cost per cubic yard in Southern California, quoted by strength tier. Standard 3,000 PSI residential flatwork sits at the low end of the range; higher-strength structural and commercial mixes step up from there. This is the concrete itself — it excludes labor, forming, reinforcement, excavation, finishing, pumping and delivery surcharges.

Typical range: $225–$345 per cubic yard — Southern California (2026 pricing)

What moves the price

• Mix strength (PSI) — Standard 3,000 PSI residential flatwork is the base rate; each step up in design strength toward high-strength structural mixes raises the per-cubic-yard cost.
• Load size and short-load fees — Partial loads carry a short-load charge, so small pours cost more per cubic yard than a full truck.
• Delivery distance and access — Haul distance from the batch plant and difficult site access add to the delivered rate.
• Admixtures and special mixes — Fiber, accelerators, retarders, color and pump mixes are priced above a plain structural mix.
• Market and material volatility — Cement and aggregate pricing moves through the year, so quoted yardage rates are re-checked regularly.