Colorado vs Utah
Side-by-side construction cost comparison for 2026. Building a 2,000 sq ft home in Utah saves approximately $46,000.
More affordable for new construction
Utah
$184/sq ft vs $207/sq ft — saves $46,000 on a 2,000 sq ft build
| Metric | Colorado | Utah |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 $/sq ft | $207 | $184 ✓ |
| 1,500 sq ft | $310,500 | $276,000 ✓ |
| 2,000 sq ft | $414,000 | $368,000 ✓ |
| 2,500 sq ft | $517,500 | $460,000 ✓ |
| Labor Index | 1.08 | 0.95 ✓ |
| Material Index | 1.12 | 1.01 ✓ |
| Avg Permit Cost | $3,500 | $2,500 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $538,000 | $498,000 ✓ |
| Home Price YoY | +3.5% | +2.9% |
| Climate | Semi-arid continental | Semi-arid continental |
Colorado Notes
- ›High altitude affects material delivery
- ›Snow load roof requirements
- ›Strong building market drives up labor
- ›Radon mitigation common
Utah Notes
- ›Growing market in Wasatch Front
- ›Heavy snow loads in mountains
- ›Seismic Zone 3 in Wasatch area
- ›Expansive soil issues in some areas
Cost by Home Size
| Size | Colorado | Utah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $103,500 | $92,000 | Utah saves $11,500 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $207,000 | $184,000 | Utah saves $23,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $310,500 | $276,000 | Utah saves $34,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $414,000 | $368,000 | Utah saves $46,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $517,500 | $460,000 | Utah saves $57,500 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $621,000 | $552,000 | Utah saves $69,000 |
| 4,000 sq ft | $828,000 | $736,000 | Utah saves $92,000 |
| 5,000 sq ft | $1,035,000 | $920,000 | Utah saves $115,000 |