How this calculator works
Price per square foot (or per square meter) is simply the listing price divided by the livable area, and it's the fastest way to sanity-check whether an asking price is in line with similar homes nearby. Switch to the comparison mode to put two listings side by side and see which one is the better value per unit of space, and by what percentage.
It's a useful screening tool, not the whole story. Price per square foot says nothing about condition, renovations, lot size, layout quality, school district, or how much of the square footage is finished versus a garage or unfinished basement. A lower price per square foot can simply mean an older kitchen or a smaller lot, not a better deal — use it alongside a real comparative market analysis or appraisal, not instead of one.
The formulas
Price per unit of area = price ÷ areaDifference between two properties = |price/areaA − price/areaB| ÷ (the higher of the two) × 100The math is the same whether the area is entered in square feet or square meters — the units toggle only relabels the result, since price ÷ area gives the correct per-unit figure in whatever unit the area was entered in.
Worked example: comparing two listings
- Property A: $300,000 for 1,500 sq ft.
- Property A price per sq ft: 300,000 ÷ 1,500 = $200.00.
- Property B: $350,000 for 2,000 sq ft, giving 350,000 ÷ 2,000 = $175.00 per sq ft.
- Difference: (200 − 175) ÷ 200 × 100 = 12.5% — Property B is the better value per square foot, even though its total price is higher.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good price per square foot?
There's no universal number — it depends entirely on the local market. The only meaningful comparison is against other recently sold homes of similar type, age, and condition in the same neighborhood, which is exactly what real estate agents mean by "comps."
Does price per square foot include the lot, garage, or basement?
Convention varies, and this matters a lot for comparisons. Most listings quote living area (finished, heated space) only, excluding garages, unfinished basements, and land — but always confirm what square footage figure a listing is using before comparing it to another, since an inconsistent definition makes the comparison meaningless.
Why do two similarly priced homes have different price per square foot?
Because price per square foot compresses everything about a home into one number, it hides differences in lot size, age, renovations, layout efficiency, and location within a neighborhood. A smaller, updated home can easily have a higher price per square foot than a larger, dated one at a similar total price.
Is price per square foot useful for comparing homes in different cities?
Rarely on its own. Land cost, labor cost, and demand vary enormously between markets, so a price per square foot that looks expensive in one city can be a bargain in another. Use it to compare similar homes within the same local market, not across regions.
Can I compare three or more listings at once, not just two?
This calculator's comparison mode handles two listings at a time, but the underlying math is simple: calculate price ÷ area for each additional property separately, then rank all the results side by side. The property with the lowest price per square foot is the best value by this measure, regardless of how many listings you're comparing.