Price per Square Foot Calculator
Calculate price per square foot or square meter to compare property values.
Enter sale price and area to benchmark against neighborhood averages and listings.
Price per square foot (price per sq ft, or PPSF) is the most widely used metric for comparing real estate values across properties of different sizes. It strips away the total price and lets you see what you’re actually paying for the space itself.
Formula: Price Per Square Foot = Total Price ÷ Total Square Footage
Reverse (estimating total value): Estimated Value = Comparable PPSF × Subject Property Square Footage
What each variable means:
- Total Price — the listed or sale price of the property.
- Total Square Footage — for homes, this is typically the heated/conditioned living area. Garages, unfinished basements, and outdoor spaces are usually excluded unless specifically noted.
- Comparable PPSF — the average PPSF of recently sold similar properties (comparables, or “comps”) in the same neighborhood.
Worked example: A 1,850 sq ft home sells for $462,500.
PPSF = $462,500 ÷ 1,850 = $250/sq ft
If a similar home in the same neighborhood is 2,100 sq ft, its estimated value: $250 × 2,100 = $525,000
Typical U.S. PPSF ranges (2024):
- Rural Midwest: $80–$140/sq ft
- Suburban South: $130–$220/sq ft
- Suburban Northeast: $200–$400/sq ft
- Urban coastal cities (NYC, SF, LA): $600–$2,000+/sq ft
Important caveats:
- PPSF is a blunt tool — it doesn’t account for lot size, condition, finishes, or layout.
- Smaller homes almost always have a higher PPSF than larger homes in the same area.
- Always compare PPSF within the same neighborhood and property type for a meaningful result.