Utah vs Colorado
Side-by-side construction cost comparison for 2026. Building a 2,000 sq ft home in Utah saves approximately $46,000.
More affordable for new construction
Utah
$184/sq ft vs $207/sq ft — saves $46,000 on a 2,000 sq ft build
| Metric | Utah | Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 $/sq ft | $184 ✓ | $207 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $276,000 ✓ | $310,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $368,000 ✓ | $414,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $460,000 ✓ | $517,500 |
| Labor Index | 0.95 ✓ | 1.08 |
| Material Index | 1.01 ✓ | 1.12 |
| Avg Permit Cost | $2,500 ✓ | $3,500 |
| Median Home Price | $498,000 ✓ | $538,000 |
| Home Price YoY | +2.9% | +3.5% |
| Climate | Semi-arid continental | Semi-arid continental |
Utah Notes
- ›Growing market in Wasatch Front
- ›Heavy snow loads in mountains
- ›Seismic Zone 3 in Wasatch area
- ›Expansive soil issues in some areas
Colorado Notes
- ›High altitude affects material delivery
- ›Snow load roof requirements
- ›Strong building market drives up labor
- ›Radon mitigation common
Cost by Home Size
| Size | Utah | Colorado | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $92,000 | $103,500 | Utah saves $11,500 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $184,000 | $207,000 | Utah saves $23,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $276,000 | $310,500 | Utah saves $34,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $368,000 | $414,000 | Utah saves $46,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $460,000 | $517,500 | Utah saves $57,500 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $552,000 | $621,000 | Utah saves $69,000 |
| 4,000 sq ft | $736,000 | $828,000 | Utah saves $92,000 |
| 5,000 sq ft | $920,000 | $1,035,000 | Utah saves $115,000 |