District of Columbia vs Maryland
Side-by-side construction cost comparison for 2026. Building a 2,000 sq ft home in Maryland saves approximately $138,000.
More affordable for new construction
Maryland
$222/sq ft vs $291/sq ft — saves $138,000 on a 2,000 sq ft build
| Metric | District of Columbia | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 $/sq ft | $291 | $222 ✓ |
| 1,500 sq ft | $436,500 | $333,000 ✓ |
| 2,000 sq ft | $582,000 | $444,000 ✓ |
| 2,500 sq ft | $727,500 | $555,000 ✓ |
| Labor Index | 1.58 | 1.20 ✓ |
| Material Index | 1.52 | 1.16 ✓ |
| Avg Permit Cost | $9,000 | $4,000 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $688,000 | $425,000 ✓ |
| Home Price YoY | +2.1% | +3.8% |
| Climate | Humid subtropical | Humid subtropical |
District of Columbia Notes
- ›Extremely high costs
- ›Dense urban environment
- ›Historic preservation requirements extensive
- ›Height restrictions (Height Act)
- ›Very high permit and inspection fees
Maryland Notes
- ›High cost DC metro area
- ›Chesapeake Bay critical area regulations
- ›Diverse terrain from mountains to coast
Cost by Home Size
| Size | District of Columbia | Maryland | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $145,500 | $111,000 | Maryland saves $34,500 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $291,000 | $222,000 | Maryland saves $69,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $436,500 | $333,000 | Maryland saves $103,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $582,000 | $444,000 | Maryland saves $138,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $727,500 | $555,000 | Maryland saves $172,500 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $873,000 | $666,000 | Maryland saves $207,000 |
| 4,000 sq ft | $1,164,000 | $888,000 | Maryland saves $276,000 |
| 5,000 sq ft | $1,455,000 | $1,110,000 | Maryland saves $345,000 |