Most new home build projects cost between $150 and $400 per square foot, with a typical price near $250. Prices vary by state and city, so the range below is a planning guide rather than a quote.
Typical new home build cost
$150 – $400
per square foot · typical $250
A general planning range, not a quotation.
New home build cost breakdown
- Basic tract home$120 – $200typical $150
- Custom mid-range home$200 – $350typical $275
- Luxury custom home$350 – $600typical $450
What Building a House costs
Costs cover materials, labor, permits, and overhead for building a custom home. The price per square foot varies widely with location, design complexity, and finishes. Custom homes are more expensive per square foot than tract homes.
Costs by state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Alberta
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- British Columbia
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Manitoba
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Brunswick
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Ontario
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Rhode Island
- Saskatchewan
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Yukon
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build a 2,000 sq ft house?
At $150-$400 per sq ft, that's $300,000 to $800,000. Land costs extra. High-end finishes and custom features push the price up.
What drives the cost to build a house?
Location, size, design, materials, labor rates, and site preparation. Custom features like high ceilings or premium appliances increase cost. Permits and utility connections also add up.
How can I reduce the cost of building a house?
Choose a simple design, act as your own general contractor, negotiate with builders, and select cost-effective materials. Consider building smaller or using prefab components.