Home Improvement Costs by State 2026
Compare home service costs across all 50 US states. Our cost index shows how much more or less you'll pay compared to the national average of 100.
Quick Answer: State Cost Comparison 2026
Most Expensive State
Hawaii (119)
Least Expensive State
Mississippi (85)
National Average
100 (baseline)
Most & Least Expensive States
Most Expensive States
- 1.Hawaii119
- 2.California115
- 3.New York115
- 4.Massachusetts114
- 5.New Jersey113
National Average
Baseline for comparison
Actual average across all states: 98
Least Expensive States
- 46.Mississippi85
- 47.West Virginia87
- 48.Arkansas87
- 49.Oklahoma88
- 50.Alabama88
Regional Breakdown
Average cost index by US region. The West and Northeast tend to have higher costs, while the South and Midwest are generally more affordable.
Northeast
Average across 9 states
West
Average across 13 states
South
Average across 16 states
Midwest
Average across 12 states
All 50 States Ranked
Click any state to view detailed cost information and calculators for that location. Click column headers to sort.
| Hawaii | 119 |
| California | 115 |
| New York | 115 |
| Massachusetts | 114 |
| New Jersey | 113 |
| Connecticut | 110 |
| Maryland | 109 |
| Washington | 107 |
| Alaska | 106 |
| New Hampshire | 106 |
| Colorado | 105 |
| Oregon | 104 |
| Rhode Island | 103 |
| Vermont | 103 |
| Virginia | 103 |
| Delaware | 101 |
| Nevada | 101 |
| Florida | 100 |
| Utah | 100 |
| Maine | 99 |
| Illinois | 98 |
| Minnesota | 98 |
| Arizona | 97 |
| Pennsylvania | 97 |
| Idaho | 95 |
| Montana | 95 |
| Wyoming | 94 |
| Georgia | 93 |
| North Carolina | 93 |
| Texas | 93 |
| Wisconsin | 93 |
| Michigan | 92 |
| New Mexico | 92 |
| North Dakota | 92 |
| Indiana | 91 |
| Louisiana | 91 |
| Nebraska | 91 |
| Ohio | 91 |
| South Carolina | 91 |
| South Dakota | 91 |
| Tennessee | 91 |
| Iowa | 90 |
| Missouri | 90 |
| Kansas | 89 |
| Kentucky | 89 |
| Alabama | 88 |
| Oklahoma | 88 |
| Arkansas | 87 |
| West Virginia | 87 |
| Mississippi | 85 |
How We Calculate Cost Indexes
Our cost indexes are based on multiple data sources including Bureau of Labor Statistics cost-of-living data, regional labor rate surveys, material cost variations, and real contractor pricing data.
What the index means:
- Index = 100: Costs match the national average
- Index = 120: Costs are 20% higher than average
- Index = 85: Costs are 15% lower than average
For example, if a project costs $10,000 nationally, in a state with index 120 you'd expect to pay around $12,000, while in a state with index 85 you'd pay around $8,500.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which state has the highest home improvement costs?
Hawaii has the highest cost index at 119, meaning home services cost approximately 19% more than the national average. This is primarily due to higher labor costs and cost of living.
Which state has the lowest home improvement costs?
Mississippi has the lowest cost index at 85, meaning home services cost approximately 15% less than the national average.
How accurate are these cost indexes?
Our cost indexes are updated regularly based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, contractor surveys, and real pricing information. While they provide a good general comparison, actual costs can vary significantly based on your specific city, the contractor you choose, and project specifics. We recommend getting multiple quotes for any project.
Why do costs vary so much between states?
State-by-state cost variations are driven by several factors: local labor rates and minimum wage laws, cost of living and housing prices, supply and demand for contractors, material transportation costs, state regulations and permit requirements, and climate factors that affect construction schedules.