Home / 2026 Rankings / Colorado vs Utah
Colorado vs Utah
Side-by-side construction cost comparison for 2026. Colorado averages $196/sq ft and Utah averages $175/sq ft for mid-range builds — so a 2,000 sq ft home in Utah costs about $42,864 less.
More affordable for new construction
Utah
$175/sq ft vs $196/sq ft — saves $42,864 on a 2,000 sq ft build
| Metric | Colorado | Utah |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 $/sq ft | $196 | $175 ✓ |
| 1,500 sq ft | $294,690 | $262,542 ✓ |
| 2,000 sq ft | $392,920 | $350,056 ✓ |
| 2,500 sq ft | $491,150 | $437,570 ✓ |
| 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 | $98,230 | $87,514 | Utah saves $10,716 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $196,460 | $175,028 | Utah saves $21,432 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $294,690 | $262,542 | Utah saves $32,148 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $392,920 | $350,056 | Utah saves $42,864 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $491,150 | $437,570 | Utah saves $53,580 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $589,380 | $525,084 | Utah saves $64,296 |
| 4,000 sq ft | $785,840 | $700,112 | Utah saves $85,728 |
| 5,000 sq ft | $982,300 | $875,140 | Utah saves $107,160 |
Construction costs: HouseBuildCalc Permit Cost Index (876,000+ building permits, 1,700+ ZIP codes), U.S. Census Bureau Survey of Construction, BLS Producer Price Index, NAHB Cost of Constructing a Home (published summaries). Median home prices: NAR Existing-Home Sales, 2026 estimates. For planning purposes only.