🏡 Price Per Square Foot Calculator
Compare properties fairly by calculating price per square foot. Enter a property's price and size to get $/sqft instantly — or compare two properties side-by-side to see which offers better value per square foot.
📖 How to Use Price Per Square Foot in Real Estate
Price per square foot ($/sq ft or $/sqft) is one of the most useful metrics for comparing real estate values. It normalizes property prices to a common unit, making it easy to compare homes of different sizes and identify over- or under-priced properties.
When to Use It
- Comparing listings: A $300,000 home at $200/sqft offers more space than a $300,000 home at $350/sqft
- Setting offers: Research local $/sqft to determine a fair offer price
- Evaluating new construction: Compare build cost per sqft to resale value
- Commercial real estate: Standard metric for office, retail, and industrial leasing
Limitations
$/sqft doesn't capture: lot size, location quality, finishes, age, layout efficiency, lot size, school districts, or view. A small luxury condo may justify $800/sqft while a large suburban home at $150/sqft is a great deal. Always consider $/sqft alongside other factors.
💡 Pro Tip: Use $/sqft for Negotiations
If comparable homes in the area sell for $220/sqft and a listing is at $280/sqft, you have data-backed grounds to negotiate. Pull 3–5 comparable sales (comps) from the last 6 months within ½ mile of the property at similar size.
📋 Average Price Per Square Foot by U.S. City (2025)
| City / Metro | Avg $/sq ft | Median Home Price | Market Type |
|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $1,200–$1,500 | $1.2M–$1.5M | 🔴 Extreme |
| New York, NY (Manhattan) | $900–$1,400 | $1.1M–$1.8M | 🔴 Extreme |
| Los Angeles, CA | $600–$900 | $750K–$1.1M | 🔴 Very High |
| Seattle, WA | $450–$650 | $650K–$900K | 🟠 High |
| Austin, TX | $280–$400 | $480K–$650K | 🟡 Above Average |
| Denver, CO | $300–$420 | $490K–$680K | 🟡 Above Average |
| Chicago, IL | $175–$280 | $280K–$460K | 🟢 Average |
| Phoenix, AZ | $200–$300 | $370K–$550K | 🟢 Average |
| Atlanta, GA | $170–$240 | $290K–$420K | 🟢 Average |
| Houston, TX | $130–$200 | $260K–$380K | 🟢 Affordable |
| Detroit, MI | $70–$130 | $150K–$250K | 🔵 Very Affordable |
| Cleveland, OH | $80–$140 | $150K–$250K | 🔵 Very Affordable |
Source: Zillow, Redfin, U.S. Census data, 2025 estimates.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good price per square foot? −
A 'good' price per square foot is highly location-dependent. In San Francisco or Manhattan, $900–$1,400/sqft is typical. In the Midwest or South, $100–$200/sqft is common. The best approach is to compare to recent comparable sales (comps) in the same neighborhood, ideally within 0.5 miles and sold within the last 6 months.
Does price per square foot include the garage? +
This varies by listing and appraiser. Most residential real estate uses 'gross living area' (GLA) which excludes garages, unfinished basements, and outdoor spaces. When comparing properties, make sure you're comparing apples to apples — both counting finished above-grade square footage, or both including all spaces.
How do I calculate price per square foot for commercial real estate? +
Commercial $/sqft is calculated the same way (price ÷ square footage) but is used differently. Commercial leases are often quoted as annual $/sqft (e.g., $25/sqft/year), while residential is usually an all-in purchase price. For commercial valuation, you'd also consider price per sqft relative to cap rate, NOI, and comparable lease rates in the area.
Is higher price per square foot always worse? +
Not necessarily. Higher $/sqft can reflect better location, superior finishes, luxury amenities, newer construction, or higher demand. A $600/sqft condo in a prime urban location with great walkability, transit, and amenities may offer better value than a $150/sqft house in a rural area far from employment. Price per sqft is a tool for comparison, not an absolute measure of value.
How does square footage affect home value? +
Generally, larger homes have lower $/sqft due to economies of scale, while smaller properties command higher $/sqft. A 500 sqft studio in NYC might cost $1,200/sqft while a 2,500 sqft house in the same neighborhood costs $800/sqft. When building or remodeling, additional square footage typically adds 60–80% of the home's current average $/sqft in value.