Accompanying this report are tables and charts based on RSMeans’ measures of dollar-per-square-foot construction costs. The results for 25 major cities are shown for four care and shelter types of structure. It is most expensive to build a two- to three-story hospital. A little less expensive on a dollar-per-square-foot basis is a four- to eight-story hospital. Stepping down by about one-quarter is an eight- to 24-story apartment building. Cheapest to construct, at just about half the expense of a low-rise hospital, is a nursing home. This story also presents a number of key city cost comparisons.

The housing market improved abruptly in July with another large gain in August. However, most of the reported 4.2% August gain was due to a sharp downward revision of July remodeling spending. This is implausible and may well be revised away shortly as several similar huge month to move changes in this market have been, says Reed Construction Data chief economist Jim Haughey.

The accompanying table shows 20 of the largest upcoming medical and educational construction projects in the U.S.. They are all in the planning stage and are mainly new projects, but may also involve additions and/or alterations.

Shopping centers, hotels, office buildings, medical buildings, educational buildings, libraries and museums, sports and entertainment complexes, industrial projects and government buildings will all be covered on a rotating basis.

Houston and Dallas account for 26% of single family housing starts in the twenty largest metro housing markets, reports Reed Construction Data chief economist Jim Haughey.

This chart features U.S. Housing Permits per 1,000 population based on the latest 12 months and residential permits for cities ranked 301-361.