Texas vs Louisiana
Side-by-side construction cost comparison for 2026. Building a 2,000 sq ft home in Louisiana saves approximately $8,000.
More affordable for new construction
Louisiana
$169/sq ft vs $173/sq ft — saves $8,000 on a 2,000 sq ft build
| Metric | Texas | Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 $/sq ft | $173 | $169 ✓ |
| 1,500 sq ft | $259,500 | $253,500 ✓ |
| 2,000 sq ft | $346,000 | $338,000 ✓ |
| 2,500 sq ft | $432,500 | $422,500 ✓ |
| Labor Index | 0.90 | 0.88 ✓ |
| Material Index | 0.94 | 0.92 ✓ |
| Avg Permit Cost | $2,400 ✓ | $2,500 |
| Median Home Price | $322,000 | $218,000 ✓ |
| Home Price YoY | +3.1% | +1.8% |
| Climate | Humid subtropical/Semi-arid | Humid subtropical |
Texas Notes
- ›Expansive clay "black cotton" soils require pier foundations
- ›Post-Winter Storm Uri code upgrades
- ›Extreme heat and wind requirements
- ›Fast-growing markets in Dallas, Austin, Houston
Louisiana Notes
- ›Pier and beam foundations in flood areas
- ›Hurricane construction requirements
- ›High humidity moisture barriers essential
- ›Expansive clay soils
Cost by Home Size
| Size | Texas | Louisiana | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $86,500 | $84,500 | Louisiana saves $2,000 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $173,000 | $169,000 | Louisiana saves $4,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $259,500 | $253,500 | Louisiana saves $6,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $346,000 | $338,000 | Louisiana saves $8,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $432,500 | $422,500 | Louisiana saves $10,000 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $519,000 | $507,000 | Louisiana saves $12,000 |
| 4,000 sq ft | $692,000 | $676,000 | Louisiana saves $16,000 |
| 5,000 sq ft | $865,000 | $845,000 | Louisiana saves $20,000 |