The average cost per square foot for residential construction varies significantly across different states in the U.S. Here is a summary based on recent data:
- National Average: According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Study “Cost of Constructing a Home-2024” the cost to build a new home averages around $162 per square foot for a 2,647 square foot home, EXCLUDING land and the general contractor’s fee for overhead and profit. Including the contractor’s fee will typically add 15% to 25% depending on location and market competitiveness. Including contractor fees results in an average cost to build of about $195 per square foot.
Home-Cost.com provides a free calculator and chart below to show how the relative costs of construction vary by state.
So how do costs in the different states compare with each other (including general contractor fees)?
- Highest Costs: Hawaii is the most expensive state, with an average cost of $230 per square foot, followed closely by Alaska ($228). Other high-cost states include California and New Jersey ($225), New York ($211) and Massachusetts ($210).
- Moderate Costs: States like Colorado ($172), Iowa ($171) and Texas ($162) have moderate construction costs.
- Lowest Costs: The least expensive states include Oklahoma ($158), Arkansas ($156) and Mississippi ($154).
The primary factors influencing these ranges of cost include ease or difficulty in obtaining construction materials and labor, local construction building codes, difficulty of site construction, and competitiveness of subcontractor labor and general contractor fees. Also, the size of the home affects cost per square foot, with smaller homes having a higher cost per square foot than larger homes.
FREE HOME CONSTRUCTION COST CALCULATOR
Use our free Home-Cost.com cost per square foot calculator to get a rough estimate of how much your new dream house will cost in your state. Our calculator is based on our proprietary cost data including contractor fees and excluding the cost of land. Simply select your state and enter your home’s living area in square feet. Then click the “Submit” button.
Location: Excluded Items
RANGES OF CONSTRUCTION COSTS BY STATE
The chart below provides a range of construction cost per square foot by state, in alphabetical order. These costs exclude land but include general contractor fees for overhead and profit. Cost ranges reflect variations due to scope (project size) and quality levels.
- Alabama: $150 – $270
- Alaska: $215- $315
- Arizona: $160 – $280
- Arkansas: $150 – $260
- California: $215 – $430
- Colorado: $160 – $280
- Connecticut: $200 – $350
- Delaware: $190 – $330
- Florida: $150 – $270
- Georgia: $160 – $280
- Hawaii: $215 – $450
- Idaho: $170 – $260
- Illinois: $200 – $320
- Indiana: $170 – $290
- Iowa: $160 – $280
- Kansas: $160 – $280
- Kentucky: $150 – $270
- Louisiana: $150 – $270
- Maine: $170 – $290
- Maryland: $165 – $290
- Massachusetts: $200 – $350
- Michigan: $170 – $290
- Minnesota: $180 – $320
- Mississippi: $150 – $250
- Missouri: $170 – $300
- Montana: $160 – $280
- Nebraska: $160 – $280
- Nevada: $180 – $315
- New Hampshire: $175 – $300
- New Jersey: $215 – $370
- New Mexico: $160 – $250
- New York: $200 – $350
- North Carolina: $180 – $300
- North Dakota: $160 – $280
- Ohio: $170 – $300
- Oklahoma: $150 – $260
- Oregon: $190 – $330
- Pennsylvania: $175 – $300
- Rhode Island: $200 – $340
- South Carolina: $180 – $310
- South Dakota: $160 – $280
- Tennessee: $150 – $270
- Texas: $150 – $270
- Utah: $160 – $270
- Vermont: $180 – $310
- Virginia: $180 – $310
- Washington: $185 – $320
- West Virginia: $170 – $260
- Wisconsin: $180 – $310
- Wyoming: $160 – $270
