Wisconsin vs Illinois
Side-by-side construction cost comparison for 2026. Building a 2,000 sq ft home in Wisconsin saves approximately $58,000.
More affordable for new construction
Wisconsin
$182/sq ft vs $211/sq ft — saves $58,000 on a 2,000 sq ft build
| Metric | Wisconsin | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 $/sq ft | $182 ✓ | $211 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $273,000 ✓ | $316,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $364,000 ✓ | $422,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $455,000 ✓ | $527,500 |
| Labor Index | 0.96 ✓ | 1.15 |
| Material Index | 0.98 ✓ | 1.09 |
| Avg Permit Cost | $2,300 ✓ | $3,000 |
| Median Home Price | $288,000 | $288,000 |
| Home Price YoY | +4.1% | +3.3% |
| Climate | Humid continental | Humid continental |
Wisconsin Notes
- ›Cold winters require heavy insulation
- ›Deep frost line (48" in north)
- ›Moderate overall cost
- ›Strong dairy barn building tradition
Illinois Notes
- ›Strong union labor market in Chicago
- ›Extreme temperature swings require robust systems
- ›Deep frost line for foundations
- ›Flat terrain simplifies grading
Cost by Home Size
| Size | Wisconsin | Illinois | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $91,000 | $105,500 | Wisconsin saves $14,500 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $182,000 | $211,000 | Wisconsin saves $29,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $273,000 | $316,500 | Wisconsin saves $43,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $364,000 | $422,000 | Wisconsin saves $58,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $455,000 | $527,500 | Wisconsin saves $72,500 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $546,000 | $633,000 | Wisconsin saves $87,000 |
| 4,000 sq ft | $728,000 | $844,000 | Wisconsin saves $116,000 |
| 5,000 sq ft | $910,000 | $1,055,000 | Wisconsin saves $145,000 |