2026 Pricing Atlas

Basement cost by state — all 50 states, 2026.

Typical 2026 basement finishing pricing for a 1,000 sqft mid-grade finished basement (drywall, flooring, lighting, and one egress window) across every US state. Sort by price, filter by name, click any row for the full state-specific cost guide.

National midpoint

$40,500

Avg across all 50 states · 1,000 sqft mid-grade finished

5 best ROI states

Minnesota92%
Michigan91%
Wisconsin91%
Illinois91%
North Dakota91%

Combined recoup · bedroom suite · 800 sqft · 5-year hold

5 worst ROI states

Hawaii63%
Florida65%
California65%
Louisiana66%
Arizona68%

Combined recoup · bedroom suite · 800 sqft · 5-year hold

Sort:

50 states shown

State	Low	High	Mid-range	Cost index	ROI verdict
ALAlabama	$15,500	$52,000	$33,800	0.86×	Borderline	Read guide
AKAlaska	$24,300	$81,700	$53,000	1.35×	Borderline	Read guide
AZArizona	$18,000	$60,500	$39,300	1.00×	Borderline	Read guide
ARArkansas	$15,300	$51,400	$33,400	0.85×	Borderline	Read guide
CACalifornia	$25,200	$84,700	$55,000	1.40×	Borderline	Read guide
COColorado	$20,700	$69,600	$45,200	1.15×	Borderline	Read guide
CTConnecticut	$23,400	$78,700	$51,100	1.30×	Borderline	Read guide
DEDelaware	$18,900	$63,500	$41,200	1.05×	Borderline	Read guide
FLFlorida	$18,000	$60,500	$39,300	1.00×	Borderline	Read guide
GAGeorgia	$17,300	$58,100	$37,700	0.96×	Borderline	Read guide
HIHawaii	$27,900	$93,800	$60,900	1.55×	Borderline	Read guide
IDIdaho	$16,600	$55,700	$36,200	0.92×	Borderline	Read guide
ILIllinois	$17,100	$57,500	$37,300	0.95×	Probably	Read guide
INIndiana	$15,800	$53,200	$34,500	0.88×	Probably	Read guide
IAIowa	$15,500	$52,000	$33,800	0.86×	Probably	Read guide
KSKansas	$15,800	$53,200	$34,500	0.88×	Probably	Read guide
KYKentucky	$16,200	$54,500	$35,400	0.90×	Borderline	Read guide
LALouisiana	$16,600	$55,700	$36,200	0.92×	Borderline	Read guide
MEMaine	$20,200	$67,800	$44,000	1.12×	Borderline	Read guide
MDMaryland	$21,600	$72,600	$47,100	1.20×	Borderline	Read guide
MAMassachusetts	$23,800	$79,900	$51,900	1.32×	Borderline	Read guide
MIMichigan	$16,400	$55,100	$35,800	0.91×	Probably	Read guide
MNMinnesota	$18,000	$60,500	$39,300	1.00×	Probably	Read guide
MSMississippi	$15,100	$50,800	$33,000	0.84×	Borderline	Read guide
MOMissouri	$16,400	$55,100	$35,800	0.91×	Probably	Read guide
MTMontana	$17,500	$58,700	$38,100	0.97×	Borderline	Read guide
NENebraska	$15,700	$52,600	$34,200	0.87×	Probably	Read guide
NVNevada	$18,900	$63,500	$41,200	1.05×	Borderline	Read guide
NHNew Hampshire	$20,700	$69,600	$45,200	1.15×	Borderline	Read guide
NJNew Jersey	$23,000	$77,400	$50,200	1.28×	Borderline	Read guide
NMNew Mexico	$16,900	$56,900	$36,900	0.94×	Borderline	Read guide
NYNew York	$25,200	$84,700	$55,000	1.40×	Borderline	Read guide
NCNorth Carolina	$17,600	$59,300	$38,500	0.98×	Borderline	Read guide
NDNorth Dakota	$15,500	$52,000	$33,800	0.86×	Probably	Read guide
OHOhio	$16,600	$55,700	$36,200	0.92×	Probably	Read guide
OKOklahoma	$15,500	$52,000	$33,800	0.86×	Borderline	Read guide
OROregon	$20,200	$67,800	$44,000	1.12×	Borderline	Read guide
PAPennsylvania	$18,400	$61,700	$40,100	1.02×	Borderline	Read guide
RIRhode Island	$22,000	$73,800	$47,900	1.22×	Borderline	Read guide
SCSouth Carolina	$17,100	$57,500	$37,300	0.95×	Borderline	Read guide
SDSouth Dakota	$15,300	$51,400	$33,400	0.85×	Probably	Read guide
TNTennessee	$16,700	$56,300	$36,500	0.93×	Borderline	Read guide
TXTexas	$18,000	$60,500	$39,300	1.00×	Borderline	Read guide
UTUtah	$18,400	$61,700	$40,100	1.02×	Borderline	Read guide
VTVermont	$19,800	$66,600	$43,200	1.10×	Borderline	Read guide
VAVirginia	$19,400	$65,300	$42,400	1.08×	Borderline	Read guide
WAWashington	$21,200	$71,400	$46,300	1.18×	Borderline	Read guide
WVWest Virginia	$15,300	$51,400	$33,400	0.85×	Borderline	Read guide
WIWisconsin	$16,700	$56,300	$36,500	0.93×	Probably	Read guide
WYWyoming	$17,500	$58,700	$38,100	0.97×	Borderline	Read guide

Methodology

How these numbers are calculated

Each state's range is the 2026 national baseline ($18,000–$55,000 for a typical 1,000 sqft finished basement) multiplied by the state's cost index. Cost index is a composite of Bureau of Labor Statistics regional labor rates, material-delivery cost premiums (HI/AK are highest at +50%/+45%), permit fee patterns, and aggregated contractor pricing data. Index 1.00 = U.S. national average. Each state-specific guide ships its own deep-dive — cost drivers, top metros, neighbor comparison, and 4-year YoY trajectory.

Next steps

Get your exact number

The table above is a state-level baseline. Your actual quote will depend on your specific finish level (LVP vs. carpet vs. tile, drywall vs. suspended ceiling), exact square footage, metro pricing within your state, and any subfloor prep your home needs.

Run the basement calculator Compare basement materials See metro-level pricing 250 ROI verdict pages →

First-time buyer

Cheapest mid-grade states

Pre-filtered to states at or below the national midpoint.

See affordable states

ROI

Best basement ROI by state

Which states return the most of the install cost at sale.

See ROI ranking

DIY

Best DIY-friendly states

Permit simplicity + retail density + climate factors.

See DIY ranking

Quick-resale

Quick-resale picks by region

ROI × days-on-market — built for flips and fast sellers.

See quick-resale picks

How much does new basement cost in 2026?

The U.S. national average for a 1,000 sqft mid-grade basement finish in 2026 is $40,500 for materials, labor, framing, railings, footings, and standard prep. State-level spread is wide — the cheapest states (Mississippi, Arkansas, South Dakota) sit around $33,000, while the priciest (Hawaii, California) push past $60,900 for the same scope.

Why does basement cost vary so much by state?

Three factors drive the spread: labor rates (installer wages in CA and NY are 40-55% above the national average; in MS/AR/AL they're 15-22% below), material delivery costs (HI and AK absorb shipping premiums that don't exist in the lower 48), and permit and inspection patterns (some coastal jurisdictions require permits for any install that touches a subfloor, others don't). Each state-specific guide breaks down the local drivers in detail.

What's the cheapest state to build a new basement?

Based on 2026 mid-range pricing, the five cheapest states for basement finishing are: Mississippi ($33,000), Arkansas ($33,400), South Dakota ($33,400), West Virginia ($33,400), Alabama ($33,800). These states benefit from below-national-average framer/carpenter wages, simpler permit cycles, and longer build seasons that compress contractor schedules.

What's the most expensive state to build a new basement?

The five priciest states for a typical mid-grade basement finish in 2026: Hawaii ($60,900), California ($55,000), New York ($55,000), Alaska ($53,000), Massachusetts ($51,900). Hawaii and Alaska absorb significant freight surcharges on composite basementing; California and New York are driven primarily by labor, permit, and code-driven structural scope expansion.

Is this pricing for materials only or installed?

Every dollar shown is fully installed pricing — labor, framing, basementing, railings, footings, standard prep, permit fees (where required), and a 10% contingency reserve. Material-only pricing for the same scope runs roughly 40% of the installed total (basementing + railing dominates that share). For a precise quote tailored to your material choice and square footage, run the basement calculator with your state pre-selected.

Bundling multiple indoor projects?

Run our Whole Indoor Renovation Estimator — a 3-minute wizard that bundles basement finishing alongside kitchen, bathroom(s), and flooring into one state-adjusted estimate. Best for buyers planning a whole-home renovation before listing.