Illinois vs Indiana
Side-by-side construction cost comparison for 2026. Building a 2,000 sq ft home in Indiana saves approximately $84,000.
More affordable for new construction
Indiana
$169/sq ft vs $211/sq ft — saves $84,000 on a 2,000 sq ft build
| Metric | Illinois | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 $/sq ft | $211 | $169 ✓ |
| 1,500 sq ft | $316,500 | $253,500 ✓ |
| 2,000 sq ft | $422,000 | $338,000 ✓ |
| 2,500 sq ft | $527,500 | $422,500 ✓ |
| Labor Index | 1.15 | 0.88 ✓ |
| Material Index | 1.09 | 0.92 ✓ |
| Avg Permit Cost | $3,000 | $2,000 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $288,000 | $242,000 ✓ |
| Home Price YoY | +3.3% | +4.1% |
| Climate | Humid continental | Humid continental |
Illinois Notes
- ›Strong union labor market in Chicago
- ›Extreme temperature swings require robust systems
- ›Deep frost line for foundations
- ›Flat terrain simplifies grading
Indiana Notes
- ›Affordable labor market
- ›Cold winters need deep foundations
- ›Tornado risk in some areas
Cost by Home Size
| Size | Illinois | Indiana | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $105,500 | $84,500 | Indiana saves $21,000 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $211,000 | $169,000 | Indiana saves $42,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $316,500 | $253,500 | Indiana saves $63,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $422,000 | $338,000 | Indiana saves $84,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $527,500 | $422,500 | Indiana saves $105,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $633,000 | $507,000 | Indiana saves $126,000 |
| 4,000 sq ft | $844,000 | $676,000 | Indiana saves $168,000 |
| 5,000 sq ft | $1,055,000 | $845,000 | Indiana saves $210,000 |