Cost to Construct a Home Rose Significantly Over Last Two Years

Construction Costs
Published

Construction costs accounted for 64.4% of the average price of a new home in 2024 compared to 60.8% in 2022, according to NAHB’s most recent Cost of Construction Survey.

The latest finding marks a record high for construction costs since the inception of the series in 1998 and the fifth instance where construction costs represented over 60% of the total sales price.

Broad inflation in the global economy since 2022 — particularly in building material prices — is largely to blame for the increased construction costs.

The finished lot was the second largest cost at 13.7% of the sales price, down more than four percentage points from 17.8% in 2022. The average builder profit margin was 11.% in 2024, up from 10.1% in 2022. 

Explore the interactive dashboard below to view the costs and percentage of construction costs for eight stages of construction and their 36 components.

For more on the survey, please see this Eye on Housing post from NAHB economists.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Advocacy
Sep 04, 2026
NAHB’s Monthly Update Features Trade and Economic Trends

Stay informed on the issues shaping the housing industry by reviewing the monthly update talking points. The latest edition includes messages on trade issues and market conditions.

PWB Week | Membership
Sep 04, 2026
Join NAHB in Celebrating Professional Women in Building Week Sept. 14-18

Join NAHB for a week of inspiring events and learning opportunities that showcase the achievements of women the industry. PWB Week will also highlight our efforts to promote, train, advance and recruit more women into the field.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics
Sep 02, 2026
House Price Appreciation by State and Metro Area in the Second Quarter of 2026

U.S. house prices continued to rise in the second quarter of 2026, with most states and metropolitan areas recording annual gains. Elevated borrowing costs and affordability constraints remained important headwinds, while limited housing supply continued to support prices in many markets, particularly across parts of the Midwest and Northeast.

Economics
Sep 01, 2026
Number of Open Construction Sector Positions Rising

The number of open positions in the construction sector increased in July per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The current level of open jobs is down from three years ago due to declines in construction activity, particularly in housing.

Economics
Sep 01, 2026
HBGI Q2 2026: Single-Family Construction Contracts Broadly While Multifamily Expands

Home building trends diverged across geographies in the second quarter of 2026. According to the Home Building Geography Index (HBGI), single-family construction declined in nearly all geographic categories, although the contraction eased in most markets from the first quarter.