North Carolina vs South Carolina
Side-by-side construction cost comparison for 2026. Building a 2,000 sq ft home in South Carolina saves approximately $10,000.
More affordable for new construction
South Carolina
$164/sq ft vs $169/sq ft — saves $10,000 on a 2,000 sq ft build
| Metric | North Carolina | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 $/sq ft | $169 | $164 ✓ |
| 1,500 sq ft | $253,500 | $246,000 ✓ |
| 2,000 sq ft | $338,000 | $328,000 ✓ |
| 2,500 sq ft | $422,500 | $410,000 ✓ |
| Labor Index | 0.88 | 0.85 ✓ |
| Material Index | 0.92 | 0.89 ✓ |
| Avg Permit Cost | $2,200 | $2,000 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $332,000 | $308,000 ✓ |
| Home Price YoY | +6.1% | +6.8% |
| Climate | Humid subtropical | Humid subtropical |
North Carolina Notes
- ›Moderate costs statewide
- ›Hurricane zone on coast
- ›Mountain areas add transport costs
- ›Fast-growing market in Triangle/Charlotte
South Carolina Notes
- ›Low-moderate costs
- ›Hurricane zone along coast
- ›Growing market in Charleston/Columbia
- ›Mild winters reduce some costs
Cost by Home Size
| Size | North Carolina | South Carolina | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $84,500 | $82,000 | South Carolina saves $2,500 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $169,000 | $164,000 | South Carolina saves $5,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $253,500 | $246,000 | South Carolina saves $7,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $338,000 | $328,000 | South Carolina saves $10,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $422,500 | $410,000 | South Carolina saves $12,500 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $507,000 | $492,000 | South Carolina saves $15,000 |
| 4,000 sq ft | $676,000 | $656,000 | South Carolina saves $20,000 |
| 5,000 sq ft | $845,000 | $820,000 | South Carolina saves $25,000 |