Tennessee vs Georgia
Side-by-side construction cost comparison for 2026. Building a 2,000 sq ft home in Georgia saves approximately $0.
More affordable for new construction
Georgia
$165/sq ft vs $165/sq ft — saves $0 on a 2,000 sq ft build
| Metric | Tennessee | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 $/sq ft | $165 | $165 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $247,500 | $247,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $330,000 | $330,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $412,500 | $412,500 |
| Labor Index | 0.86 | 0.85 ✓ |
| Material Index | 0.90 ✓ | 0.91 |
| Avg Permit Cost | $2,000 ✓ | $2,200 |
| Median Home Price | $342,000 | $318,000 ✓ |
| Home Price YoY | +4.8% | +5.8% |
| Climate | Humid subtropical | Humid subtropical |
Tennessee Notes
- ›Low overall costs
- ›Nashville market costs rising rapidly
- ›Moderate foundation requirements
- ›New Madrid Seismic Zone in west TN
Georgia Notes
- ›Red clay soil requires special foundations
- ›Growing market in Atlanta metro
- ›Mild winters reduce heating costs
Cost by Home Size
| Size | Tennessee | Georgia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $82,500 | $82,500 | Georgia saves $0 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $165,000 | $165,000 | Georgia saves $0 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $247,500 | $247,500 | Georgia saves $0 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $330,000 | $330,000 | Georgia saves $0 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $412,500 | $412,500 | Georgia saves $0 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $495,000 | $495,000 | Georgia saves $0 |
| 4,000 sq ft | $660,000 | $660,000 | Georgia saves $0 |
| 5,000 sq ft | $825,000 | $825,000 | Georgia saves $0 |