•
Discover the cost to build a workshop. Learn about price ranges, key cost factors, and ways to save on your new workspace project.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a House in Philadelphia, PA? [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $23,287 - $215,112
The average cost to build a house in Philadelphia, PA is $119,200, and most projects total between $23,287 and $215,112. 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
Despite a higher cost of living, building a home in Philadelphia costs 70% less than the national average.
Prices will depend on where in Philly you live, as well as the size of your home.
The median home size in Philadelphia is 1,636 square feet, and it costs an average of nearly $74,000.
The type of foundation and the quality of the exterior and interior finishes can also impact price.
You’ll also need to budget for contractors and Philly’s new construction permit fees, which exceed $1,300.
The cost to build a house in Philadelphia ranges from $23,287 to $215,112, with the average Pennsylvania homeowner spending about $119,200 to construct a new home in Philly. Despite Philadelphia’s slightly higher than average cost of living, these prices are relatively low compared to the national average. In fact, Philadelphians can expect to spend about 70% less constructing a home in the greater Philadelphia area than in other, more expensive parts of the U.S.
Of course, these prices will depend on where in Philly you live; prices are higher in the city proper. House construction costs also depend on the size of the home (square footage and number of bedrooms are good indicators of cost), the type of foundation you choose, and the quality of the interior and exterior finishes.
Home Building Cost Factors
Several factors impact the home building prices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The primary cost factor is the square footage of the home; the number of bedrooms is another easy way to estimate costs. In addition to where within Philly you’re building and the size of the proposed home, other factors affecting the overall price are the foundation, exterior finishes, and interior finishes.
Square Footage
The cost to build a custom home can range anywhere from $30 to $150 per square foot, with the average sitting right around $45 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.
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the median home size in the greater Philadelphia area is 1,636 square feet, for an average cost of $73,620. The table below breaks down price ranges by square foot.
| Home Size (Sq. Ft.) | Average Cost in Philly | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $45,000 | $30,000–$150,000 |
| 1,500 | $67,500 | $45,000–$225,000 |
| 1,750 | $78,750 | $52,500–$262,500 |
| 2,000 | $90,000 | $60,000–$300,000 |
| 2,200 | $99,000 | $66,000–$330,000 |
| 3,000 | $135,000 | $90,000–$450,000 |
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 $30,000 to $36,000 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 in the U.S. today is 2,200 to 2,500 square feet and has three bedrooms.
Here are the new construction home costs based on the number of bedrooms at the average price of $45 per square foot.
| Bedrooms | New Home Price Range in Philadelphia, PA |
|---|---|
| 2 | $60,000–$72,000 |
| 3 | $90,000–$108,000 |
| 4 | $120,000–$144,000 |
| 5 | $150,000–$180,000 |
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.
Concrete slabs are a popular type of foundation in Philadelphia homes because they are cost-effective, but many homeowners opt for crawl spaces or even basements in Philly.
| Foundation Type | Cost in Philadelphia (Per Sq. Ft.) |
|---|---|
| Basement | $6–$11 |
| Crawl space | $2–$5 |
| Pier and beam | $2–$4 |
| Slab | $2–$5 |
Exterior Finishes
Exterior finishes, from the siding to the shingles on your roof, will account for $7,500 to $18,000 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.
| Exterior Finish | Average Cost in Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| Siding | $0.50–$9 per sq. ft. |
| Roofing | $1–$3 per sq. ft. |
| Exterior trim | $3–$8 per linear ft. |
| Stucco | $2–$3 per sq. ft. |
| Gutters | $1–$11 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 $15,000 and $52,500 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.
| Interior Finish | Average Cost in Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| Flooring | $1–$7 per sq. ft. |
| Painting | $0.50–$2 per sq. ft. |
| Countertops | $2–$57 per sq. ft. |
| Interior trim | $0.15–$0.45 per linear ft. |
| Interior doors | $20–$150 each |
Home Building Pro Costs
When building a home in Philadelphia, you have to factor in labor charges in addition to material costs. Because constructing a new home is a complicated project, it involves a large number of contractors (and permits) and associated costs.
If you’re building a home in a housing development with a single builder, everything may be streamlined through one point of contact (and one clear fee), and it may be more hands-off for you. But if you’re designing a unique dream home on a plot of land, you’ll need to hire an architect for the design and a general contractor near you for the construction. Alternatively, you can work with one of Philadelphia’s custom home builders.
Feeling overwhelmed? Here’s how to hire a home builder to guide you through the project.
Architect Costs
After you’ve purchased land, you’ll need to consult with a local architect or larger architectural firm to design your dream home in Philadelphia. Prices will depend on how custom the home is and the extent of the project, but on average, an architect costs between $2,500 and $7,475 in Philly.
During this process, you’ll also need to bring a local structural engineer out to the site to consult with the architect. This cost might be separate or could be factored into your architect’s fees.
General Contractor or Construction Manager Costs
Once the architect has designed your home, you’re ready to start building. Most new home construction is overseen by either a general contractor or a construction manager in your area. General contractors charge between 10% and 20% of the overall project cost; construction manager fees run between 5% and 15%.
Here are the key differences between a general contractor and a construction manager.
Additional Pros to Consider Hiring
Building a house requires a lot of specialty contractors with unique training and licenses. Your general contractor will coordinate subcontracting all these workers at the right time. Home construction in Philadelphia usually involves local roofers, plumbers, drywallers, painters, floorers, electricians, HVAC techs, and carpenters, among others.
Labor rates vary by profession; speak with your general contractor to understand what portion of your budget is being allocated to each stage of construction.
Permits and Inspections
Before you can build a home in Philadelphia, you need to obtain the proper permit. The actual building permit costs $1,328 for new construction, but you’ll also need to pay for plan review, filing, and record retention in Philly. Your general contractor will guide you through this process.
In addition, you’ll need to arrange a home inspection when all is said and done. The cost of home inspections in Philadelphia runs between $450 and $685.
Make sure you know what to expect for a new construction home inspection.
Site Prep and Cleanup
Before construction begins, you may need to prepare the site, which can incur additional expenses. For instance, if the site requires excavation or grading, prepare to spend between $450 and $1,680. You may also need to budget for land surveyor costs, which run from $800 to $5,500.
Once your house is built, the general contractor oversees site cleanup. While this expense is likely included in the overall quote, the cost is still noteworthy. On average, construction site cleanup costs between $250 and $675 in Philly.
Is Building a New House Worth It?
Building a new house in Philadelphia is worth the investment, assuming you can qualify for a manageable loan and have the means to pay it back. Real estate in general is considered a wise investment; according to a recent report from Rocket Mortgage, home values increased by an average of 5.5% year-over-year. You can generally expect homes to continue to climb in value over time, outpacing inflation significantly. When you’re finally ready to sell, you should theoretically make back significantly more than you spent to build the house originally, assuming you’ve done a good job of maintaining the property.
Beyond the monetary value, building a house adds real value to your life and your family’s lives. Why? Because when you build a house, you can tailor it to your family’s specific needs, with the right features and right layout in the right Philadelphia neighborhood to ensure comfort, safety, convenience, and happiness for everyone.
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 extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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.
The homeowners guide to home building services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
•Use our home demolition cost calculator to estimate your project’s price and learn what factors impact the total cost before you start your demolition.
While it isn't easy to expand your property, you can consider building up. The cost of adding a second story has quite the range. We'll break it down here.
Planning and construction takes longer when you don’t follow pre-set plans. Learn how long it takes to build a custom home so that you know what to expect.
Adding a second story to a house is a great way to get the space you need without uprooting your family. Find out everything you need to know here.
Whether you hire a pro or do it yourself, building a house has many challenges. Here are the biggest mistakes to avoid when building a new house.