Build costs · 2026
How much does it cost to build a house?
Starting prices for 43US markets, straight from BuildUp founder Arthur Ryapolov’s own price map. Real developer numbers, not a national average. Pick your city.
The short answer
In 2026, spec-grade home construction in the US runs roughly $150per square foot as a national baseline, but the real number is local. Across BuildUp’s 43 tracked markets it ranges from about $100 per square foot in Dallas to $250 in San Diego. The builder fee, usually 8% to 12%, sits on top. Pick a city below for its starting rate and a live profit calculator.
Every figure is spec-grade (a notch above builder-grade), covering hard and soft construction cost on a 2,000 square foot reference home. Treat each as a starting floor, then confirm with local builder bids.
Estimate the deal before you pick a market
Start from the national baseline, then pick your city below to load its real per-square-foot rate. The calculator runs the developer formula and turns the numbers red when the land runs past 25% of value or the return drops below 20%.
Run your own numbers
The developer’s formula: sale price minus land, construction, and ~3% selling costs. Investment build assumes ~10% down + closing.
$240,000
Est. profit
49%
ROI on cost
25%
Land % of sale
365%
Cash-on-cash
Rules of thumb from the BuildUp playbook: land at 20-25% of sale price or less, and a minimum 20% ROI (target 25%) before breaking ground. Red numbers mean the deal doesn’t pencil yet. Estimates only, not financial advice.
West
12 marketsTexas & Southwest
3 marketsMidwest
7 marketsSoutheast
15 marketsFrequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build a house in 2026?
Spec-grade construction runs roughly $150 per square foot as a national baseline, but the real number is local. Across our tracked markets it ranges from about $100 per square foot in Dallas to $250 in San Diego. The builder fee, usually 8% to 12%, sits on top.
Why does the cost to build vary so much by city?
Labor rates, material access, permitting and impact fees, and local demand all move the per-square-foot number. That is why a national average misleads. We track a starting rate per market so you underwrite against a real local floor, not a blended figure.
What does the price per square foot include?
Our figures are spec-grade, a notch above builder-grade, covering hard and soft construction cost on a 2,000 square foot reference home. They do not include the land or the builder fee, which sits on top. Treat each as a starting floor, then confirm with local bids.
Is it cheaper to build or buy a house right now?
It depends on your market. Building wins when land runs under 25% of the finished value and the numbers leave a real margin, because you move in or sell with built-in equity. Run the numbers for your city first, then decide.