Index / Q3 2026 edition
Quarterly Cost Index
Verified 2026-09 · 10 projects · 50 states · HomeTrueCost
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.
National snapshot — mid-grade reference specs
| Project | Reference spec | National median | Range (low → high state) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roofing | 2,000 sqft architectural shingle, tear-off + replace | $17,121 | $15,305 (MS) → $21,792 (HI) |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sqft, mid-range cabinets + counters + appliances | $51,794 | $47,190 (MS) → $64,218 (HI) |
| Bathroom remodel | 60 sqft full bath, mid-range fixtures + tile | $22,825 | $20,555 (MS) → $28,567 (HI) |
| HVAC replacement | 3-ton central gas + AC swap, like-for-like | $14,905 | $13,753 (MS) → $18,290 (HI) |
| Siding replacement | 1,800 sqft wall, fiber-cement lap | $19,828 | $18,011 (MS) → $24,615 (HI) |
| Deck build | 320 sqft pressure-treated, pro build | $14,996 | $13,495 (MS) → $18,765 (HI) |
| Driveway replacement | 600 sqft concrete 4in, tear-out + repour | $8,812 | $7,988 (MS) → $10,991 (HI) |
| House painting | 1,500 sqft interior walls, 2 coats mid-grade | $4,299 | $3,793 (MS) → $5,476 (HI) |
| Flooring | 800 sqft engineered hardwood installed | $11,790 | $10,817 (MS) → $14,488 (HI) |
| Window replacement | 10 vinyl double-hung openings, retrofit install | $13,239 | $12,194 (MS) → $16,301 (HI) |
Mid-grade tier, June seasonal, default scope per project. Sources: BLS OEWS + BEA goods-RPP (2026-09-11) · methodology
Where location matters most
#1 spread · 1.44× high-to-low
House painting
$3,793 in MS vs $5,476 in HI — same 1.
#2 spread · 1.42× high-to-low
Roofing
$15,305 in MS vs $21,792 in HI — same 2.
#3 spread · 1.39× high-to-low
Deck build
$13,495 in MS vs $18,765 in HI — same 320 sqft pressure-treated.
#4 spread · 1.39× high-to-low
Bathroom remodel
$20,555 in MS vs $28,567 in HI — same 60 sqft full bath.
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.
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
- 2026-09-11 — Q3 2026 — v1 — inaugural index from BLS OEWS + BEA goods-RPP seed manifest.
Estimate only — not professional advice.