Massachusetts vs New Hampshire
Side-by-side construction cost comparison for 2026. Building a 2,000 sq ft home in New Hampshire saves approximately $86,000.
More affordable for new construction
New Hampshire
$211/sq ft vs $254/sq ft — saves $86,000 on a 2,000 sq ft build
| Metric | Massachusetts | New Hampshire |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 $/sq ft | $254 | $211 ✓ |
| 1,500 sq ft | $381,000 | $316,500 ✓ |
| 2,000 sq ft | $508,000 | $422,000 ✓ |
| 2,500 sq ft | $635,000 | $527,500 ✓ |
| Labor Index | 1.38 | 1.12 ✓ |
| Material Index | 1.32 | 1.12 ✓ |
| Avg Permit Cost | $5,500 | $3,200 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $628,000 | $482,000 ✓ |
| Home Price YoY | +4.5% | +5.8% |
| Climate | Humid continental | Humid continental |
Massachusetts Notes
- ›High union labor costs
- ›Strict energy codes (Stretch Code)
- ›Historic district restrictions in many towns
- ›Glacial till soil conditions
New Hampshire Notes
- ›No state sales tax on materials
- ›Granitic bedrock may require blasting
- ›Short summer build season
- ›Deep frost line
Cost by Home Size
| Size | Massachusetts | New Hampshire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $127,000 | $105,500 | New Hampshire saves $21,500 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $254,000 | $211,000 | New Hampshire saves $43,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $381,000 | $316,500 | New Hampshire saves $64,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $508,000 | $422,000 | New Hampshire saves $86,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $635,000 | $527,500 | New Hampshire saves $107,500 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $762,000 | $633,000 | New Hampshire saves $129,000 |
| 4,000 sq ft | $1,016,000 | $844,000 | New Hampshire saves $172,000 |
| 5,000 sq ft | $1,270,000 | $1,055,000 | New Hampshire saves $215,000 |