New Study Reveals States with the Highest and Lowest Home Renovation Costs

Photo by Peter Vang

Home renovation is a major financial commitment, and your location can significantly impact the cost. In some states, upgrading your home demands a hefty budget, while others make remodeling is surprisingly affordable.

A new study by Premier Timber Frame Builders dives into the numbers, revealing the most and least expensive states for a complete home renovation. By considering fixer-upper prices, annual property taxes, and full remodel costs, the study highlights where homeowners are likely to face steep renovation bills, and where they can stretch their dollars the farthest.

The Most Expensive States for Home Renovations

Massachusetts leads the nation as the most expensive state for home renovations. A complete remodel there averages $323,311, driven by older homes, steep labor rates, and costly materials, especially in competitive markets like Boston.

Oregon ranks second, with homeowners spending an average of $311,185 on a full renovation. Rising construction prices, tight building rules, and strong demand in cities such as Portland all add to the final bill.

New York lands in third place at $289,719. Costs fluctuate across the state, but high labor prices in New York City significantly raise the statewide average. Renovating upstate can be cheaper, though city homeowners face far higher expenses.

New England dominates the upper end of the list, claiming five spots in the top 10. Connecticut comes in fourth at $278,469, followed by Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Island, each reporting the same average renovation cost of $275,515.

California appears lower than expected, ranking eighth with an average remodel cost of $263,484. Despite its reputation for expensive construction, the state’s large and competitive workforce may help keep prices from climbing even higher.

Alaska and Georgia complete the top 10. Alaska ranks ninth at $253,271, whereas Georgia comes in tenth at $229,955.

The States Where Home Renovations Are Most Affordable

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Arkansas stands out as the most affordable state for home renovations. A full remodel there averages just $75,888, far below the national heavyweights.

Tennessee follows closely in second place with an average cost of $82,928, while Utah ranks third at $83,014, separated by only $86. Iowa takes fourth at $85,478, reinforcing its reputation for affordability. Idaho rounds out the top five at $98,176, remaining well under the $100,000 mark.

Full data: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eCzTTZJ7aqlHeO0bvoiG2SG0pLuAUglWSpgCImj9xG4/edit?gid=762621649#gid=762621649

Full list of most expensive states for home renovations:

Rank	State	Average Full Home Remodel Cost
1	Massachusetts	$323,311
2	Oregon	$311,185
3	New York	$289,719
4	Connecticut	$278,469
5	Maine	$275,515
6	Rhode Island	$275,515
7	Vermont	$275,515
8	California	$263,484
9	Alaska	$253,271
10	Georgia	$229,955
11	Maryland	$227,386
12	Florida	$215,057
13	Illinois	$212,166
14	New Jersey	$212,164
15	Hawaii	$202,600
16	Washington	$202,258
17	Delaware	$198,003
18	West Virginia	$198,003
19	Texas	$191,780
20	Colorado	$191,645
21	New Hampshire	$182,333
22	Ohio	$182,333
23	Virginia	$177,540
24	Pennsylvania	$164,242
25	Minnesota	$157,636
26	North Carolina	$154,544
27	South Carolina	$152,965
28	Michigan	$147,512
29	Wisconsin	$144,681
30	Montana	$139,763
31	New Mexico	$139,763
32	Wyoming	$139,763
33	Louisiana	$139,256
34	North Dakota	$134,928
35	South Dakota	$134,928
36	Missouri	$131,003
37	Alabama	$130,919
38	Nebraska	$130,800
39	Nevada	$127,166
40	Arizona	$117,175
41	Oklahoma	$109,911
42	Mississippi	$107,966
43	Indiana	$106,932
44	Kansas	$102,111
45	Kentucky	$100,833
46	Idaho	$98,176
47	Iowa	$85,478
48	Utah	$83,014
49	Tennessee	$82,928
50	Arkansas	$75,888

Methodology

This study examined the costs of complete home renovations across all U.S. states, using Houzz data to determine the average expenses. States were ranked from highest to lowest based on the typical cost of a full remodel.