At our outdoor bench factory, the price difference between powder-coated steel and aluminum depends on design, metal gauge, coating specification, hardware, packaging, and order quantity, so we do not use one flat price gap. For comparable outdoor benches, powder-coated steel is generally the lower-cost option—often about 15%–30% less than aluminum. As an indicative factory guide, a standard 6-foot commercial bench frame may quote around USD 120–220 per unit in powder-coated steel and around USD 160–300 per unit in aluminum, FOB, before shipping and taxes. If the aluminum is also powder-coated and uses premium hardware, the gap can narrow to roughly 10%–20%. Aluminum costs more mainly because of its lighter weight, natural corrosion resistance, and lower maintenance needs in coastal or humid environments; powder-coated steel offers high strength and a lower upfront price, but buyers should specify proper pretreatment and coating thickness for outdoor durability. For an exact difference, send us your bench drawing, dimensions, coating color, hardware, and order quantity, and our factory will provide a line-by-line quotation.