Ohio vs Kentucky
Side-by-side construction cost comparison for 2026. Building a 2,000 sq ft home in Kentucky saves approximately $34,000.
More affordable for new construction
Kentucky
$156/sq ft vs $173/sq ft — saves $34,000 on a 2,000 sq ft build
| Metric | Ohio | Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 $/sq ft | $173 | $156 ✓ |
| 1,500 sq ft | $259,500 | $234,000 ✓ |
| 2,000 sq ft | $346,000 | $312,000 ✓ |
| 2,500 sq ft | $432,500 | $390,000 ✓ |
| Labor Index | 0.90 | 0.81 ✓ |
| Material Index | 0.94 | 0.85 ✓ |
| Avg Permit Cost | $2,100 | $1,700 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $242,000 | $218,000 ✓ |
| Home Price YoY | +5.5% | +4.2% |
| Climate | Humid continental | Humid subtropical |
Ohio Notes
- ›Moderate cost market
- ›Glacial soils may have bearing issues
- ›Cold winters, frost line to 36"
- ›Strong skilled trades workforce
Kentucky Notes
- ›Low labor costs
- ›Karst limestone terrain requires foundation testing
- ›Tornado risk in western areas
Cost by Home Size
| Size | Ohio | Kentucky | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $86,500 | $78,000 | Kentucky saves $8,500 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $173,000 | $156,000 | Kentucky saves $17,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $259,500 | $234,000 | Kentucky saves $25,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $346,000 | $312,000 | Kentucky saves $34,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $432,500 | $390,000 | Kentucky saves $42,500 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $519,000 | $468,000 | Kentucky saves $51,000 |
| 4,000 sq ft | $692,000 | $624,000 | Kentucky saves $68,000 |
| 5,000 sq ft | $865,000 | $780,000 | Kentucky saves $85,000 |