RSMeans' Table Illustrates Dollar-Per-Square-Foot Construction Costs Across 25 Major Cities

According to the RSMeans' measures of dollar-per-square-foot construction costs, hospitals, jails, courthouses, and police stations rank among the most expensive structures to build. In fact, some of these projects exceed $350 per square foot in the largest urban centers. Among the less expensive structures, factories, warehouses, and convenience stores are the least costly to erect. RSMeans also calculated the U.S. cities with the highest dollar per square foot construction costs; New York was the most expensive, while San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia do not fall far behind. For more RSMeans rankings and calculations click here.