Index / Q3 2026 edition
Quarterly Cost Index
The same ten reference projects, priced mid-grade in every state. Location is the biggest lever after project size — this page measures exactly how big.
Verified 2026-09 · 10 projects · 50 states · HomeTrueCost
National snapshot — mid-grade pricing
| Project | Reference spec | National median | Cheapest → priciest state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roofing | 2,000 sqft 3-tab shingle, tear-off + replace | $16,846 | $15,032 Arkansas$21,370 Illinois |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sqft, mid-range cabinets + counters + appliances | $51,782 | $45,885 Arkansas$66,119 Hawaii |
| Bathroom remodel | 60 sqft full bath, mid-range fixtures + tile | $22,838 | $19,756 Arkansas$29,655 Hawaii |
| HVAC replacement | 3-ton central gas + AC swap, like-for-like | $14,949 | $13,649 Arkansas$17,357 Alaska |
| Siding replacement | 1,800 sqft wall, vinyl lap | $19,814 | $17,465 Arkansas$25,383 Hawaii |
| Deck build | 320 sqft pressure-treated, pro build | $14,943 | $12,954 Arkansas$19,404 Hawaii |
| Driveway replacement | 600 sqft concrete 4in, tear-out + repour | $8,780 | $7,730 Arkansas$11,312 Hawaii |
| House painting | 1,500 sqft interior walls, 2 coats contractor-grade | $4,282 | $3,508 Alabama$5,860 Hawaii |
| Flooring | 800 sqft engineered hardwood installed | $11,898 | $10,637 Arkansas$15,021 Hawaii |
| Window replacement | 10 vinyl double-hung openings, retrofit install | $13,243 | $11,987 Arkansas$16,673 Hawaii |
Mid-grade tier, June seasonal, default scope per project. Sources: BLS OEWS + BEA goods-RPP (2026-09-12).
Where location matters most
#1 · 1.67× high-to-low
House painting
$3,508 in Alabama vs $5,860 in Hawaii — same 1.
#2 · 1.50× high-to-low
Bathroom remodel
$19,756 in Arkansas vs $29,655 in Hawaii — same 60 sqft full bath.
#3 · 1.50× high-to-low
Deck build
$12,954 in Arkansas vs $19,404 in Hawaii — same 320 sqft pressure-treated.
#4 · 1.46× high-to-low
Driveway replacement
$7,730 in Arkansas vs $11,312 in Hawaii — same 600 sqft concrete 4in.
Full methodology, sources, and limitations · methodology
FAQ
What is the HomeTrueCost Cost Index?
A quarterly snapshot pricing the same ten reference projects across all fifty states — mid-grade tier, June seasonal — from BLS wage and BEA price data. It shows the national median and the cheapest-to-priciest state spread per project. A Canada tab prices three pilot projects across nine provinces in Canadian dollars.
Is the index a forecast?
No. It prices the current manifest vintage stated on the page — a measurement, not a prediction. Each edition is dated and archived in the changelog below.
Can I cite these figures?
Yes — cite the page URL plus its verified date. Every number derives from the documented base specs and the public methodology; Zonda Cost vs Value is used only as a calibration boundary and never reproduced.
Changelog
- 2026-09-12 — Q3 2026 — v1 — inaugural index from BLS OEWS + BEA goods-RPP live manifest.
Estimate only — not professional advice.