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How Much Does It Cost to Build a House in Portland, OR? [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $138,333 - $671,666
The average cost to build a house in Portland, OR is $405,000, and most projects total between $138,333 and $671,666. A pro will factor in location, material quality, home size, and more.
How we get this data
Amy Walters / Adobe Stock Photography
Amy Walters / Adobe Stock Photography
Cost Insights
House construction in Portland faces challenges like density restrictions and high infrastructure contribution requirements.
It is important to hire a pro who understands Portland’s building codes and requirements to build your home.
Portland’s high-moisture climate may require additional waterproofing on your home.
The cost to build a house in Portland is higher than the national average.
The cost to build a house in Portland sits in the higher bracket among major cities in the United States. High housing costs, strict density requirements, hefty developmental fees contributing to infrastructure development, and challenging weather conditions are all reasons why building a house in Portland can be a costly project. On average, it costs $405,000 to build a house in Portland, and most pay between $138,333 and $671,666. Take a look below to see what affects the final cost of your dream home.
Home Building Cost Factors
The cost to build a house in Portland, OR, is affected by the following factors:
Total square footage
Type of foundation
Number of bedrooms
Type of exterior finishes (siding and shingles)
Type of interior finishes
Square Footage
The cost to build a custom home in Portland, OR can range anywhere from $110 to $500 per square foot, with the average sitting right around $125 per square foot. The higher end of this range accounts for building luxury homes or homes in large cities. The size and type of house you choose will also affect what you’ll pay.
| Sq. Ft. | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $110,000–$500,000 |
| 1,200 | $132,000–$600,000 |
| 1,400 | $154,000–$700,000 |
| 1,600 | $176,000–$800,000 |
| 1,800 | $198,000–$900,000 |
| 2,000 | $220,000–$1,000,000 |
| 2,500 | $275,000–$7,500,000 |
Number of Bedrooms
It’s helpful to have an idea of the total construction cost based on the number of bedrooms, since that will likely be the first thing you decide. You can expect to pay $100,000 to $120,000 per bedroom. Note that the added cost comes from not only the additional square footage for the bedroom but also larger living spaces, additional bathrooms, and utilities to support additional occupants. The average home size in Portland, OR is 1,892 square feet and has three bedrooms.
Here are the new construction home costs based on the number of bedrooms at the average price of $125 per square foot.
| No. of Bedrooms | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 | $100,000–$120,000 |
| 2 | $200,000–$240,000 |
| 3 | $300,000–$360,000 |
| 4 | $400,000–$480,000 |
Foundation Type
The cost of your foundation will come down to where you live, the soil conditions, and the type of foundation that’s best for your home.
Unless you’re well-versed in construction, you’ll probably want to lean on a structural engineer to help you determine the correct foundation type and inspect the foundation after its completion.
| Type of Foundation | Average Cost to Build | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crawl Space | $7 per sq. ft. | Affordable and easy to build | Vulnerable to mold and rot |
| Concrete Basement | $6–$8 per sq. ft. | Moisture-resistant with proper waterproofing; provides additional living and storage space | More expensive, higher maintenance |
| Stone Basement | $7 per sq. ft. | Designed to allow water in, more resistant to moisture and humidity | Often requires sump pumps or dehumidifiers to keep dry. |
| Cinderblock | $6–$8 per sq. ft. | More affordable than a slab or concrete basement; more flexibility | Structural repair can be extremely costly |
| Slabs | $3–$11 per sq. ft. | Low maintenance, dries quickly | Hard to access; no room for utility lines |
Exterior Finishes
Exterior finishes, from the siding to the shingles on your roof, will account for $25,000 to $60,000 of your overall home-building costs. You and your team will have a lot of decisions to make depending on the exterior style you’re going for and the best options for your local climate, among other factors. Things like high-end roofing materials and gutters will increase your cost but also provide a greater ROI.
| Type of Finishes | Average Cost (Including Material) |
|---|---|
| Vinyl Siding | $7–$12 per sq. ft. |
| Fiber Cement Siding | $9–$16 per sq. ft |
| Standard Roof Shingles | $3–$9 per sq. ft. |
| Metal Roof | $7,600–$47,600 |
| Gutters | $12–$30 per linear ft. |
Interior Finishes
Moving on to the interior work of your home is an exciting phase. This stage is the moment to determine the flooring, the paint colors, and all appliances and home systems that make your house a home. Assume you'll pay between $50,000 and $175,000 for all interior finishes.
The higher cost range accounts for more complex and sought-after materials. These include everything from insulation with higher R-values to beautiful marble countertops. Nearly every category, however, offers options for all budget preferences.
| Type of Finishes | Average Cost (Including Material) |
|---|---|
| Paint | $2–$5 per sq. ft. |
| Wall Paper | $3,600–$6,300 |
| Tiles | $10,000–$12,000 |
| Hardwood Floors | $8–$18 per sq. ft. |
| Vinyl Floors | $4–$12 per sq. ft. |
| Carpets | $4–$12 per sq. ft. |
Home Building Pro Costs
Custom home builders in Portland, OR typically charge $16 to $20 per hour for labor alone. On top of this, you can expect to pay between $7,400 and $10,800 for necessary permits, including building, electrical, and mechanical permits, tech surcharge, and the development contribution required by the city of Portland. If you are building a highly customized home, prepare to pay an additional $2,700 to $29,000 for an architect and/or engineer to draft up the plan.
Additional Pros to Consider Hiring
Depending on your main contractor's capacity, you might need to hire additional pros. Some common contractors to consider include roofing specialists, electricians and plumbers, foundation or waterproofing specialists, drainage system contractors, concrete/driveway contractors, and landscapers.
Is Building a New House Worth It?
Portland, OR has a highly competitive housing market, especially when it comes to luxury homes and high-end housing. The city also has an extreme housing shortage, making building your own home sometimes the more reasonable option for home ownership. According to Redfin, the median sale price for Portland homes is $545,000 as of July 2025, indicating a 4.8% growth year-over-year. This leaves an average ROI of $100,000 for standard new construction homes. In the meantime, high-end custom homes might be a better option if you plan on building a legacy that can be passed down to the next generations.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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