Crunching the latest quarterly numbers and giving you the trends that matter, so that you have the insight you need going into the next quarter.
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Overall Construction Cost Index Q1 2026
Key Cost Drivers
- Metal and energy-related costs remain elevated, driven by tariffs, geopolitical events, and demand for steel, copper, aluminum, and petroleum-based products.
- Large-scale data center and manufacturing investment continues to tighten regional labor markets, procurement capacity, and availability of critical materials.
- Electrical and power-distribution constraints, including long equipment lead times, continue to impact project schedules, procurement strategies, and cost certainty.
Construction Cost Index by City
The Mortenson Construction Cost Index is calculated quarterly by pricing a representative non-residential construction project in geographies throughout the country. Click a city below to jump to the latest findings.
Advice for Building Owners in Chicago
Nationally, the Mortenson Cost Index increased by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter of 2024, a 1.9% increase over the previous twelve months. Costs in Chicago increased 0.8% in the most recent quarter and 1.4% over the last twelve months.
Advice for Building Owners in Chicago
Nationally, nonresidential construction costs tracked by the Mortenson Quarterly Cost Index for the first quarter of 2026 rose by 1.69% over the past quarter and 6.77% over the previous twelve months. In Chicago, costs rose 1.53% this quarter and 5.67% over the last twelve months.
Advice for Building Owners in Denver
Nationally, nonresidential construction costs tracked by the Mortenson Quarterly Cost Index for the first quarter of 2026 rose by 1.69% over the past quarter and 6.77% over the previous twelve months. In Denver, costs rose 2.44% this quarter and 10.37% over the last twelve months.
Advice for Building Owners in Milwaukee
Nationally, nonresidential construction costs tracked by the Mortenson Quarterly Cost Index for the first quarter of 2026 rose by 1.69% over the past quarter and 6.77% over the previous twelve months. In Milwaukee, costs rose 2.19% this quarter and 10.32% over the last twelve months.
Advice for Building Owners in Minneapolis
Nationally, nonresidential construction costs tracked by the Mortenson Quarterly Cost Index for the first quarter of 2026 rose by 1.69% over the past quarter and 6.77% over the previous twelve months. In Minneapolis, costs rose 1.10% this quarter and 6.24% over the last twelve months.
Advice for Building Owners in Phoenix
Nationally, nonresidential construction costs tracked by the Mortenson Quarterly Cost Index for the first quarter of 2026 rose by 1.69% over the past quarter and 6.77% over the previous twelve months. In Phoenix, costs rose 1.97% this quarter and 7.05% over the last twelve months.
Advice for Building Owners in Portland
Nationally, nonresidential construction costs tracked by the Mortenson Quarterly Cost Index for the first quarter of 2026 rose by 1.69% over the past quarter and 6.77% over the previous twelve months. In Portland, costs rose 0.86% this quarter and 2.55% over the last twelve months.
Advice for Building Owners in Salt Lake City
Nationally, nonresidential construction costs tracked by the Mortenson Quarterly Cost Index for the first quarter of 2026 rose by 1.69% over the past quarter and 6.77% over the previous twelve months. In Salt Lake City, costs rose 3.38% this quarter and 9.75% over the last twelve months.
Advice for Building Owners in Seattle
Nationally, nonresidential construction costs tracked by the Mortenson Quarterly Cost Index for the first quarter of 2026 rose by 1.69% over the past quarter and 6.77% over the previous twelve months. In Seattle, costs rose 0.56% this quarter and 4.15% over the last twelve months.
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