Montana vs Wyoming
Side-by-side construction cost comparison for 2026. Building a 2,000 sq ft home in Wyoming saves approximately $22,000.
More affordable for new construction
Wyoming
$173/sq ft vs $184/sq ft — saves $22,000 on a 2,000 sq ft build
| Metric | Montana | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 0.90 ✓ |
| Material Index | 1.01 | 0.94 ✓ |
| Avg Permit Cost | $2,200 | $2,000 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $398,000 | $332,000 ✓ |
| 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
Wyoming Notes
- ›Remote sites add material costs
- ›Very heavy snow loads in mountains
- ›Short build season in high elevation
- ›Wind uplift requirements
Cost by Home Size
| Size | Montana | Wyoming | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $92,000 | $86,500 | Wyoming saves $5,500 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $184,000 | $173,000 | Wyoming saves $11,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $276,000 | $259,500 | Wyoming saves $16,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $368,000 | $346,000 | Wyoming saves $22,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $460,000 | $432,500 | Wyoming saves $27,500 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $552,000 | $519,000 | Wyoming saves $33,000 |
| 4,000 sq ft | $736,000 | $692,000 | Wyoming saves $44,000 |
| 5,000 sq ft | $920,000 | $865,000 | Wyoming saves $55,000 |