2026 Cost Index Study
The most and least expensive metros to remodel.
Averaged across 6 common projects, New York is the most expensive metro to remodel, about +32% versus the national average, while San Antonio is the most affordable at -12%. The full ranking, with the typical contractor margin in each market, is below.
Data verified Jul 2026 · v2026-07-21
Cost vs national
All 28 metros, ranked.
| Metro | Remodel cost vs national | Typical contractor margin |
|---|---|---|
| New York | +32% | 17% |
| Chicago | +17% | 15% |
| Boston | +16% | 17% |
| Seattle | +16% | 17% |
| Los Angeles | +14% | 18% |
| San Diego | +12% | 18% |
| Philadelphia | +10% | 16% |
| Portland | +10% | 16% |
| Minneapolis | +8% | 16% |
| Las Vegas | +7% | 18% |
| Denver | +4% | 18% |
| Phoenix | -1% | 18% |
| Columbus | -2% | 17% |
| St Louis | -3% | 14% |
| Kansas City | -3% | 15% |
| Atlanta | -3% | 18% |
| Austin | -3% | 20% |
| Dallas | -5% | 18% |
| Nashville | -6% | 17% |
| Houston | -7% | 18% |
| Charlotte | -7% | 17% |
| Raleigh | -7% | 19% |
| Miami | -8% | 14% |
| Richmond | -9% | 17% |
| Orlando | -9% | 17% |
| Springfield | -9% | 14% |
| Tampa | -10% | 15% |
| San Antonio | -12% | 17% |
Premium is the average difference from the US figure across 6 project types. Built from BLS metro wages, current material prices, and verified permit fees. A 15 to 22 percent contractor margin on the bid is normal and earned, roughly 18 to 28 percent over the cost to deliver; the fair band runs wider by trade and market.
More from the index
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APA
Olson, D. (2026). 2026 Metro Remodel Cost Ranking. TheFatBook. https://thefatbook.com/cost-index/metro-rankings/
MLA
Olson, David. "2026 Metro Remodel Cost Ranking." TheFatBook, 2026, thefatbook.com/cost-index/metro-rankings.
Chicago
Olson, David. "2026 Metro Remodel Cost Ranking." TheFatBook. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thefatbook.com/cost-index/metro-rankings/.
HTML credit (for blogs)
Source: <a href="https://thefatbook.com/cost-index/metro-rankings/">2026 Metro Remodel Cost Ranking | TheFatBook</a>DO
Cost index built by David Olson, Creator of the Cost Index & Permit Dataset · Methodology reviewed by Leonard "Chuck" Thompson, LC Thompson Construction Co., Owner (retired) · 2026-07-21