Montana vs Idaho
Side-by-side construction cost comparison for 2026. Building a 2,000 sq ft home in Idaho saves approximately $22,000.
More affordable for new construction
Idaho
$173/sq ft vs $184/sq ft — saves $22,000 on a 2,000 sq ft build
| Metric | Montana | Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 $/sq ft | $184 | $173 ✓ |
| 1,500 sq ft | $276,000 | $259,500 ✓ |
| 2,000 sq ft | $368,000 | $346,000 ✓ |
| 2,500 sq ft | $460,000 | $432,500 ✓ |
| Labor Index | 0.95 | 0.88 ✓ |
| Material Index | 1.01 | 0.96 ✓ |
| Avg Permit Cost | $2,200 | $2,000 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $398,000 ✓ | $412,000 |
| Home Price YoY | +3.1% | +2.5% |
| Climate | Semi-arid continental | Semi-arid continental |
Montana Notes
- ›Remote sites add costs
- ›Short build season in mountains
- ›Heavy snow loads require strong roofs
- ›Seismic zone in some western areas
Idaho Notes
- ›Rapid growth in Boise area
- ›Cold winters require heavy insulation
- ›Seismic zone in some regions
Cost by Home Size
| Size | Montana | Idaho | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $92,000 | $86,500 | Idaho saves $5,500 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $184,000 | $173,000 | Idaho saves $11,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $276,000 | $259,500 | Idaho saves $16,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $368,000 | $346,000 | Idaho saves $22,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $460,000 | $432,500 | Idaho saves $27,500 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $552,000 | $519,000 | Idaho saves $33,000 |
| 4,000 sq ft | $736,000 | $692,000 | Idaho saves $44,000 |
| 5,000 sq ft | $920,000 | $865,000 | Idaho saves $55,000 |