Carport vs Garage
Which Should You Build in 2026?
A metal carport costs $1,500-$8,000 and can be installed in 1-4 hours, while a traditional garage costs $15,000-$50,000 and takes 2-8 weeks to build. Carports are the faster and more affordable option for vehicle protection in 2026, but garages offer better security, climate control, and resale value. The right choice depends on your budget, property, and what you actually need the structure to do.
Garages win on paper. They add more resale value, they keep your tools locked up, and your HOA probably prefers them. But carports win in the real world for a lot of buyers who need vehicle protection now, not two months from now, and who would rather spend $3,000 than $30,000.
This guide compares every factor that matters. Cost, installation time, permits, resale value, security, and the hybrid option most people do not know about.
| Factor | Metal Carport | Traditional Garage | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $1,500 – $8,000 | $15,000 – $50,000 | Carport |
| Installation Time | 1–4 hours | 2–8 weeks | Carport |
| Permits Required | Sometimes (varies) | Almost always | Carport |
| Rain & Sun Protection | Excellent | Excellent | Tie |
| Theft Protection | None (open sides) | Full enclosure + locking | Garage |
| Climate Control | Not possible | Heatable, coolable | Garage |
| Resale Value Added | $2,000 – $5,000 | $10,000 – $30,000 | Garage |
| Portability | Relocatable | Permanent | Carport |
| Foundation Required | Just anchors | Concrete slab | Carport |
| Customization | Size, colors, partial enclosure | Full customization | Tie |
| HOA Approval | Harder to get approved | Usually approved | Garage |
| Maintenance | Minimal (metal) | Moderate (paint, doors) | Carport |
Carport vs Garage. The Side-by-Side Comparison
The key differences between a metal carport and a garage come down to three things. Cost (carports are 70-85% cheaper), installation time (hours vs weeks), and security level (open vs enclosed).
Everything else branches from those three factors. If you need the cheapest way to keep rain, sun, and hail off your vehicles, a carport wins every time. If you need a locked, climate-controlled space, you need a garage. The table below breaks down 12 factors so you can see exactly where each option wins.
Most buyers already know what matters most to them. If security and climate control are non-negotiable, skip straight to the garage sections below. If budget and speed are the priority, keep reading.
Carport vs Garage Cost Comparison (2026 Prices)
A single-car metal carport costs $1,500-$3,000 installed in 2026, while a single-car garage costs $15,000-$25,000 with foundation and construction [1]. That is an 80-90% difference.
The gap gets even wider for larger structures. A double-car carport runs $2,500-$5,000. A double-car garage runs $25,000-$40,000. You could build four carports for the price of one garage.
| Type | Carport Cost (2026) | Garage Cost (2026) | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single car (12 × 20) | $1,500 – $3,000 | $15,000 – $25,000 | $12,000 – $22,000 |
| Double car (20 × 20) | $2,500 – $5,000 | $25,000 – $40,000 | $22,500 – $35,000 |
| Triple / RV (24 × 30+) | $4,000 – $8,000 | $35,000 – $50,000+ | $31,000 – $42,000 |
When a Carport Is the Better Choice
A carport is the better choice when you need affordable vehicle protection quickly, have no HOA restrictions, do not need climate control, or want a structure you can relocate later.
Here are the specific scenarios where a carport makes more sense than a garage.
Your budget is under $8,000. A carport gives you real protection at a fraction of the cost.
You need the structure installed this week. Professional carport installation takes 1-4 hours, not 2-8 weeks.
You rent your property or might move within a few years. Metal carports are relocatable. Garages are permanent.
You live on a rural property with no HOA. Nobody is going to tell you a carport looks "unfinished."
You are protecting boats, RVs, farm equipment, or trailers that do not need enclosed security.
You want to start open and enclose later. Side panels and a roll-up door can be added to most metal carports after installation.
That last point is one most people miss. A carport is not a permanent decision. You can upgrade it over time.
The garage price includes foundation, framing, roofing, siding, doors, and electrical. The foundation alone runs $3,000-$8,000 depending on slab size and local concrete costs, plus weeks of labor before the structure even goes up [2]. A carport price includes delivery, professional installation, and anchoring. That is it. No foundation. No framing crew. No electrical permits.
Steel prices fluctuate with commodity markets, but as of early 2026, metal carport pricing has remained relatively stable compared to lumber and concrete costs that continue to rise [3]. That price gap between carports and garages is not getting smaller.
When a Garage Is the Better Choice
A garage is the better choice when you need vehicle security, climate-controlled storage, a workshop space, or want to maximize your property resale value.
Here are the specific scenarios where spending $15,000-$50,000 on a garage makes financial sense.
Your budget allows $15,000+ and you want long-term value added to your property.
Your HOA requires enclosed structures. Many HOAs in suburban developments will reject open carport applications.
You need a workspace with electrical outlets, lighting, and climate control.
Vehicle security is a priority. A garage with a locking door keeps tools and vehicles safe from theft.
You plan to sell your property within 5 years. Garages add $10,000-$30,000 in resale value [4].
You live in a cold climate and need heated vehicle storage to prevent engine issues and frozen doors.
If three or more of those scenarios describe your situation, a garage is probably worth the investment. If only one or two apply, an enclosed carport might give you 80% of what you need at 30% of the cost.
The Hybrid Option. Enclosed Metal Carport
An enclosed metal carport with side panels and a roll-up garage door costs $3,000-$10,000, offering most of the security of a garage at 60-80% less cost.
This is the option most buyers do not know exists. You start with a standard metal carport frame. Then you add side panels for weather protection, a gable end wall for wind resistance, and a roll-up door for security. The result looks and functions like a small garage, but it installs in 2-6 hours and costs a fraction of traditional construction.
The modular upgrade path is what makes this work. You do not have to commit to full enclosure on day one. Buy the open carport now for $2,000-$4,000. Add side panels next year for $800-$1,500. Add the roll-up door the year after that for $500-$1,200. You spread the cost over time and only add what you actually need.
Permit Requirements. Carport vs Garage
Most counties require building permits for garages but not always for carports, though permit requirements vary significantly by location and structure size.
Here is what you need to know about permits before you build either structure.
Most jurisdictions require a building permit for any structure over 120-200 square feet [5]. A single-car garage almost always exceeds that threshold. A small carport might fall below it, but a double or triple carport will not. Open carports without permanent foundations sometimes get exemptions that enclosed structures do not, but this varies by county.
The fastest way to check is to call your county building department or check their website. Search for "[your county] building permit requirements" and look for the accessory structure section. The call takes five minutes. Skipping it can cost you thousands in fines or force you to tear down the structure.
Typical permit costs run $50-$500 depending on your jurisdiction and the structure size. Some counties also require engineer-stamped drawings for structures over a certain size. Your carport or garage manufacturer can usually provide these for an additional fee of $100-$300.
Building without a permit creates problems at resale. A home inspection will flag unpermitted structures, and buyers (or their lenders) may require you to either get a retroactive permit or remove the structure. The $200 permit fee is cheap insurance.
| Option | Cost (2026) | Security | Climate Control | Install Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Carport | $1,500 – $5,000 | None | No | 1–4 hours |
| Enclosed Carport (w/ door) | $3,000 – $10,000 | Moderate | Partial | 2–6 hours |
| Metal Garage Kit | $8,000 – $20,000 | Full | Yes (insulated) | 1–3 days |
| Traditional Garage | $15,000 – $50,000 | Full | Yes | 2–8 weeks |
For buyers stuck between a $3,000 carport and a $25,000 garage, the enclosed carport at $5,000-$8,000 is the answer nobody told them about.
Carport vs Garage. Impact on Property Value
A garage adds $10,000-$30,000 to home resale value (a 60-80% ROI), while a carport adds $2,000-$5,000 (a 50-70% ROI), according to real estate appraisal data [4].
On pure ROI percentage, carports and garages are actually close. You get back 50-80% of your investment either way. But the absolute dollar amounts favor garages by a wide margin.
Here is the nuance that generic advice misses. In rural areas across the South, carports are common and fully accepted by buyers. A clean, well-maintained metal carport on a 5-acre lot in Alabama does not hurt your home value one bit. In a suburban HOA neighborhood outside Atlanta, that same carport might actually reduce curb appeal because it does not match what buyers in that neighborhood expect.
Location and neighborhood norms matter more than the structure itself. Before you decide based on resale value alone, look at what your neighbors have. If half the homes on your road have carports, adding one will not hurt you. If every home has an attached garage, you probably need a garage too.
For investment properties or rental homes, carports often make more financial sense. The lower cost means faster payback through rental income, and tenants care more about having covered parking than about whether it has walls.
Frequently Asked Questions. Carport vs Garage
Q: Is a carport cheaper than a garage?
A: Yes, a metal carport costs $1,500-$8,000 while a garage costs $15,000-$50,000, making carports 70-90% cheaper than garages in 2026. The price gap is driven primarily by foundation costs and construction labor that garages require and carports do not.
Q: Does a carport add value to a home?
A: Yes, a carport adds approximately $2,000-$5,000 to home resale value, though a garage adds significantly more at $10,000-$30,000. In rural areas where carports are common, the value impact is proportionally higher relative to cost.
Q: Is a carport as good as a garage?
A: A carport provides equal protection from rain, sun, and hail but does not offer the security, climate control, or resale value of an enclosed garage. For buyers who only need weather protection, a carport delivers 90% of the benefit at 10-20% of the cost.
Q: Can I enclose a carport later?
A: Yes, most metal carports can be enclosed later by adding side panels, gable ends, and a roll-up or walk-in door for $1,500-$5,000. This modular approach lets you spread the cost over time and only add features when you need them.
Q: Do I need a permit for a carport?
A: Permit requirements vary by county. Many areas do not require permits for open carports under 200 square feet, but always check with your local building department before installation. Building without a required permit creates problems at resale.
Q: Is a carport considered a garage for insurance?
A: No, most insurance companies do not consider an open carport equivalent to a garage for vehicle coverage purposes. An enclosed carport with a locking door may qualify depending on the insurer, so check your specific policy.
Q: How long does a metal carport last?
A: A quality metal carport with galvanized steel framing and factory-painted panels lasts 20-30+ years with minimal maintenance. Most manufacturers offer warranties of 10-20 years on the frame and panels.
Q: Can I put a carport on gravel?
A: Yes, metal carports can be anchored to gravel, dirt, asphalt, or concrete using the appropriate anchoring system for each surface type. Gravel and dirt installations use mobile home-style auger anchors. Concrete and asphalt use wedge anchors or concrete bolts.
Written by Logan Hermer
Choosing carport colors? See the full metal building color chart.
Designing a carport? See our complete carport design guide.
References
[1] HomeAdvisor. "How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garage?" HomeAdvisor, 2025. https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/garages/
[2] HomeGuide. "Concrete Slab Cost." HomeGuide, 2025. https://homeguide.com/costs/concrete-slab-cost
[3] NAHB. "Building Materials Prices." National Association of Home Builders, 2026. https://www.nahb.org/
[4] National Association of Realtors. "Remodeling Impact Report." NAR, 2025. https://www.nar.realtor/
[5] International Code Council. "Residential Code Requirements for Accessory Structures." ICC, 2024. https://www.iccsafe.org/