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