What a square foot of real estate costs in every state and DC
The real cost of residential space in America
Think where you live is overpriced? From the most affordable to the most expensive, we've collated the price per square foot of residential real estate in every US state and DC, and selected a representative home for each and every one, to give you an idea what you can get for the average price. We'll count down from the most expensive to the cheapest.
District of Columbia: $497
DC has the nation's most expensive real estate prices hands down, with a single square foot averaging an eye-watering $497. A 612-square-foot one-bedroom condo in this rather splendid building in Washington DC is up for sale with a price tag of $299,900, a few dollars under the average per square foot.
Wailea Realty Corporation
Hawaii: $479
Hawaii is famed for its super-expensive real estate with the average house price per square foot a whopping $479 – you get very little square footage for your buck in this state. This bijou 750-square-foot two-bedroom apartment in Kihei is on the market for $355,000.
California: $281
The third most expensive state for real estate, California isn't for buyers on modest budgets.This $724,500 four-bedroom new-build in the Los Angeles suburb of Winnetka is priced more or less at the average per square foot.
Boston's Future Finest Real Estate
Massachusetts: $226
House prices are also high in Massachusetts where the average cost per square foot tops $226. To give you an idea how much real estate this gets you in Boston, this 1,400-square-foot three-bedroom home is listed for $320,000, just over the average.
Colorado: $204
Another expensive state for property, Colorado residential real estate averages a substantial $204 per square foot. This newly-constructed period-style two-bedroom property in Denver, the state capital and largest city in Colorado, is listed for just under $204 per square foot.
Oregon: $189
In Oregon, you can expect to pay an average of $189 per square foot of residential real estate. At $429,000 for a total of 2,240 square feet, this four-bedroom house in Portland costs just over the average for the state.
Rhode Island: $184
House prices are anything but tiny in the smallest US state, averaging $184 per square foot. This 1,000-square-foot condo in Providence, Rhode Island's largest city, is priced at $184,900, equalling the average in the state.
New York: $180
The average price per square foot for residential real estate is $180 in New York State as a whole, but this amount of money is paltry for buyers in New York City. Still, a 1,300-square-foot one-bedroom apartment in this Queens building is averagely priced for the state at $235,000.
Washington: $177
Residential real estate in Washington State isn't for the thrift conscious, averaging $177 per square foot. In Seattle, which is experiencing a property boom, the average price doesn't get you much, but bargains do exist, including this 2,540-square-foot seven-bedroom home, which is on sale for $450,000.
Montana: $169
Montana may be sparsely populated, but residential real estate prices aren't as low as you might think, at $169 per square foot. In Billings, the state's biggest city, this 1,516-square-foot home with three bedrooms is listed for $253,000, just under the average.
Alaska: $166
Up in Alaska, the median house price per square foot is a rather hefty $166. At $298,000 for 1,781 square feet, this cosy three-bedroom home in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is almost bang on the average price for the state.
Maryland: $165
A square foot of residential property averages $165 in Maryland. In bustling Baltimore, this 1,683-square-foot villa, which has a total of three bedrooms, is on the market for $275,000, more or less the average price per square foot for the state.
Connecticut: $164
House prices in the New England state of Connecticut average $164 per square foot. In the state's largest city, Bridgeport, this 1,664-square-foot property, which boasts five bedrooms, is priced a little under the average at $259,000.
New Jersey: $163
New Jersey real estate can be heavy on the wallet, especially in areas that are located nearer to New York City, but the average is $163. In Newark, the state's main city, this 2,500-square-foot home with three bedrooms is listed for $375,000, just under the average for the state.
Utah: $162
Next up is the state of Utah, where buyers pay an average of $162 for each square foot of residential property. In Salt Lake City, where real estate prices are on the expensive side, this 3,125-square-foot three-bedroom home is averagely priced at $485,000.
Minnesota: $160
Residential property prices in Minnesota average $160 per square foot. This 1,550-square-foot three-bedroom home is on sale for $250,000, which works out slightly more than $160 per square foot.
North Dakota: $156
Up in North Dakota, you can expect to pay $156 per square foot of residential real estate. In Fargo, the state's principal city, you can find plenty of properties at this price tag, including this 2,902-square-foot home with three bedrooms that is listed for $454,900.
Florida: $155
In Florida, the average price per square foot is $155, which is expensive enough, but in Miami the median price is even higher. Sticking with the state average, you'd only be able to afford something like this basic 1,507-square-foot three-bedroom home, which is on the market for $235,000.
Maine: $150
Residential real estate in the state of Maine is marginally more pricey at $150 per square foot. In Portland, this 1,006-square-foot home is listed for $249,900, below the average for the state.
New Hampshire: $149
House prices per square foot average $149 in Maine's neighbouring state, New Hampshire. Bang on the median price, this recently remodelled 1,344-square-foot house in Manchester has four bedrooms and is on sale for $199,900.
Wyoming: $146
Wyoming may be abundant in land but residential real estate is hardly cheap, averaging $146 per square foot. In Cheyenne, the state's major metropolis, the average price will get you a regular family home like this one, which totals 1,632 square feet and is on the market for $237,500.
Virginia: $145
Next up is Virginia where it costs $145 on average for a square foot of residential real estate. Plenty of desirable properties in Virginia Beach, the state's biggest city, are priced around the average, including this 1,806-square-foot house with three bedrooms, which is listed for $265,000.
Vermont: $142
Vermont real estate is fairly pricey but the state is known for its property bargains and this 1,920-square-foot house is a prime example. The historic four-bedroom home near Burlington is on the market for $249,900, a touch below the average for the state.
Arizona: $140
Real estate is moderately expensive in Arizona and you can expect to pay $140 on average per square foot in the state. Still, there are plenty of quality properties at this price, including this four-bedroom, three-bathroom home in Phoenix, which comes complete with a stunning pool.
Nevada: $138
In Nevada, you'll have to stump up $138 per square foot to afford the average house or apartment. Las Vegas property doesn't come cheap but the average price or the state will easily get you a family home, like this 1,817-square-foot property with three bedrooms, which is going for $251,000.
Delaware: $135
In Delaware, the average home will set you back $135 per square foot and in Wilmington, the largest city in the small state, this 2,500-square-foot four-bedroom home is on the market for $339,900, a fraction above the average.
South Dakota: $133
South Dakota real estate is mid-priced, coming in at $133 per square foot. In Sioux Falls, the state's largest city, that translates to this compact 1,025-square-foot house, which has two bedrooms and is listed for $134,900.
Illinois: $130
Prices in Illinois level out at $130 per square foot. In Chicago, however, the average residential real estate prices are higher, and a $130 per square foot budget is only sufficient for more modest homes, such as this 1,400-square-foot two-bedroom condo, which is on the market for $180,000.
Idaho: $129
In Idaho, you can expect to pay $129 per square foot. At $368,000 for a total of 2,768 square feet, this four-bedroom, four-bathroom house in Boise is just above the average price for the state.
Wisconsin: $120
Residential property prices in Wisconsin average $120 per square foot, a sum of money that will do you just fine in the state's major city, Milwaukee. This pleasant four-bedroom home measures 1,500 square feet and is listed for $179,000.
Iowa: $119
The average price per square foot is $119 in Iowa. In Des Moines, this sort of budget isn't overly modest – this two-bedroom home totals 1,126 square feet and is priced spot on the average you'd expect for the state at $134,000.
Nebraska: $117
Over in Nebraska, prices are identical with the average cost of a residential property also coming in at $117 per square foot. This charming 2,597-square-foot four-bedroom cottage in Omaha has an asking price of $300,000, just under the average.
North Carolina: $117
In North Carolina as a whole, you can expect to pay an average of $117 per square foot. Prices in the state's largest city Charlotte aren't too steep either. This 2,567-square-foot house, which features three bedrooms and three bathrooms, is listed for $299,900.
Texas: $115
At $115 per square foot on average, Texan house prices aren't too dear at all. This classy 2,865-square foot three-bedroom property, which is on the market for $329,990, is an example of what you can get for that sort of money in Houston.
New Mexico: $114
In New Mexico, the average house will set you back $114 per square foot. Albuquerque, the state's major city, isn't excessively pricey compared to the state average. This attractive Victorian-style three-bedroom home comprises 2,524 square feet and is on sale for $289,000.
South Carolina: $113
Residential real estate in South Carolina is slightly cheaper at $113 a square foot on average. This budget doesn't fare too badly at all in Charleston, the state's largest city – this four-bedroom new construction is on the market for $293,000 and totals 2,625 square feet.
Pennsylvania: $111
Pennsylvania is the most affordable of the north-eastern states on the US with house prices averaging $111 per square foot. In Philadelphia, this price translates to this characterful, 2,004-square-foot townhouse, which features five bedrooms and is sale for $225,000.
Louisiana: $111
The median price per square foot is $111 in Louisiana, but the average is a lot higher in the state's biggest city, New Orleans, particularly in the much sought-after French Quarter and Garden District. This 1,862-square-foot three-bedroom home in Holy Cross, which is on the market for $210,000, has an average price tag.
Michigan: $106
Michigan is renowned for real estate bargains, so it's no wonder the average house price per square foot is fairly low at $106. In Detroit, where property can be snapped up for peanuts, this 3,496-square-foot mansion with six bedrooms is listed for just $369,900.
Tennessee: $105
Prices per square foot average out at $105 in Tennessee. In the state's largest city, Memphis, you should have plenty to choose from at that budget, including this three-bedroom family home, which totals 1,800 square feet and is on sale for $189,000.
Kentucky: $100
The average price per square foot in Kentucky is lower at $100, which is more or less what this 2,250-square-foot house in Louisville costs. The three-bedroom property is listed for a sensible $227,000.
Georgia: $99
Residential property prices are low in the state of Georgia. Fortunately, the average price of $99 per square foot goes pretty far in the state's largest city, Atlanta – this picture-perfect 1,590-square-foot clapboard home is on the market for $159,900.
Terry W. Flood Real Estate Company
Missouri: $98
Ditto Missouri. Another economical state for real estate, house prices average $98 per square foot. In Kansas City, the state's largest population centre, a budget of $98 per square foot and $189,950 will get you this 1,946-square-foot three-bedroom home.
Kansas: $98
House prices per square foot in the state rather than the city of Kansas are identical on average. Even in Wichita, the state's biggest city, the median prices are on the reasonable side. Cue this roomy five-bedroom home, which at $398,650 for 4,105 square feet, is averagely priced.
Oklahoma: $94
Low-cost real estate abounds in Oklahoma. This four-bedroom home in Oklahoma City comprises 3,400 square feet and is listed for a reasonable $319,500, which is equivalent to the average price per square foot in the state.
Alabama: $92
A single square foot of real estate will set you back $92 on average in the Heart of Dixie. In Birmingham, Alabama's major city, this 4,873-square-foot four-bedroom family home, which is on the market for $449,900, is averagely priced in terms of square footage.
West Virginia: $89
West Virginia is one of the most affordable states when it comes to residential real estate prices by square foot. In the state capital Charleston, the average will net you this 2,000-square-foot home with four bedrooms and a large backyard, which is priced at $179,800.
Ohio: $89
Another state where house prices are refreshingly low, a square foot of residential property costs $89 on average in Ohio. This 1,865-square-foot new construction in Columbus, the state's number one metropolis, has an asking price of $166,900, bang on the average.
Mississippi: $88
Mississippi is brimming with inexpensive real estate. By way of example, this grand four-bedroom mansion in Jackson sprawls over 4,486 square feet and is listed for just $349,000, about $10 less than the average price per square foot.
Arkansas: $88
As is the case in many southern states, property in Arkansas is super-economical, averaging a pocket-friendly $88 per square foot. Boasting 2,200 square feet, this newly renovated four-bedroom home in Little Rock works out a little under the median price and even comes with a pool and picnic area.
Indiana: $86
If you're looking to invest in some super-affordable property, Indiana is calling your name – residential real estate costs only $86 per square foot on average, the cheapest in the US. At just $224,000 for 2,668 square feet, this nice four-bedroom home in Indianapolis is priced at just under the average.