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.
Click the interactive graphic below, or scroll to your market for a full regional cost index breakdown.
Overall Construction Cost Index Q3 2026
Key Cost Drivers
- Previously negotiated union agreements increased labor costs across several markets in the last quarter.
- Mega-project demand continues to pressure electrical capacity, skilled labor, and metal-intensive scopes.
- Tariffs, elevated energy costs and geopolitical disruption continue to create pricing and sourcing uncertainty across materials and transportation.
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. See how commercial construction costs by market compare across the eight regions we track closely.
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 Construction Cost Index for the second quarter of 2026 rose by 1.58% over the past quarter and 5.6% over the previous twelve months. In Chicago, costs rose 2.2% this quarter and 5.39% over the last twelve months.
Advice for Building Owners in Denver
Nationally, nonresidential construction costs tracked by the Mortenson Construction Cost Index for the first quarter of 2026 rose by 1.58% over the past quarter and 5.6% over the previous twelve months. In Denver, costs rose 1.37% this quarter and 6.84% over the last twelve months.
Advice for Building Owners in Milwaukee
Nationally, nonresidential construction costs tracked by the Mortenson Construction Cost Index for the first quarter of 2026 rose by 1.58% over the past quarter and 5.6% over the previous twelve months. In Milwaukee, costs rose 0.6% this quarter and 6.22% over the last twelve months.
Advice for Building Owners in Minneapolis
Nationally, nonresidential construction costs tracked by the Mortenson Construction Cost Index for the first quarter of 2026 rose by 1.58% over the past quarter and 5.6% over the previous twelve months. In Minneapolis, costs rose 2.86% this quarter and 6.66% over the last twelve months.
Advice for Building Owners in Phoenix
Nationally, nonresidential construction costs tracked by the Mortenson Construction Cost Index for the first quarter of 2026 rose by 1.58% over the past quarter and 5.6% over the previous twelve months. In Phoenix, costs rose 1.21% this quarter and 6.32% over the last twelve months.
Advice for Building Owners in Portland
Nationally, nonresidential construction costs tracked by the Mortenson Construction Cost Index for the first quarter of 2026 rose by 1.58% over the past quarter and 5.6% over the previous twelve months. In Portland, costs rose 1.2% this quarter and 3.19% over the last twelve months.
Advice for Building Owners in Salt Lake City
Nationally, nonresidential construction costs tracked by the Mortenson Construction Cost Index for the first quarter of 2026 rose by 1.58% over the past quarter and 5.6% over the previous twelve months. In Salt Lake City, costs rose 1.47% this quarter and 7.87% over the last twelve months.
Advice for Building Owners in Seattle
Nationally, nonresidential construction costs tracked by the Mortenson Construction Cost Index for the first quarter of 2026 rose by 1.58% over the past quarter and 5.6% over the previous twelve months. In Seattle, costs rose 1.71% this quarter and 3.48% over the last twelve months.
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