Washington vs Idaho
Side-by-side construction cost comparison for 2026. Building a 2,000 sq ft home in Idaho saves approximately $98,000.
More affordable for new construction
Idaho
$173/sq ft vs $222/sq ft — saves $98,000 on a 2,000 sq ft build
| Metric | Washington | Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 $/sq ft | $222 | $173 ✓ |
| 1,500 sq ft | $333,000 | $259,500 ✓ |
| 2,000 sq ft | $444,000 | $346,000 ✓ |
| 2,500 sq ft | $555,000 | $432,500 ✓ |
| Labor Index | 1.20 | 0.88 ✓ |
| Material Index | 1.16 | 0.96 ✓ |
| Avg Permit Cost | $4,500 | $2,000 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $598,000 | $412,000 ✓ |
| Home Price YoY | +2.8% | +2.5% |
| Climate | Marine/Semi-arid | Semi-arid continental |
Washington Notes
- ›High costs in Seattle metro
- ›Cascadia Subduction Zone seismic requirements
- ›Strict energy code
- ›Wet climate moisture management critical
- ›Strong union presence
Idaho Notes
- ›Rapid growth in Boise area
- ›Cold winters require heavy insulation
- ›Seismic zone in some regions
Cost by Home Size
| Size | Washington | Idaho | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $111,000 | $86,500 | Idaho saves $24,500 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $222,000 | $173,000 | Idaho saves $49,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $333,000 | $259,500 | Idaho saves $73,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $444,000 | $346,000 | Idaho saves $98,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $555,000 | $432,500 | Idaho saves $122,500 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $666,000 | $519,000 | Idaho saves $147,000 |
| 4,000 sq ft | $888,000 | $692,000 | Idaho saves $196,000 |
| 5,000 sq ft | $1,110,000 | $865,000 | Idaho saves $245,000 |