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Basement Scope · Statistics
Basement finishing statistics for 2026
119 sourced data points on basement finishing: what projects cost, what they return at resale, what homeowners choose, how many U.S. homes already have each feature by region, and 1 finding from Basement Scope's own analysis of federal household data. Every number links to where it came from.
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What Basement Scope's analysis of federal data shows
These comparisons were calculated by Basement Scope from the Energy Information Administration's 2024 household survey microdata and the Census Bureau's new-housing tables. They answer questions the published reports don't break out.
Basement Scope analysis · 2024
Owner-occupied basement homes built before 199044.0%
95% interval 42.3%–45.8% · about 10.9 million homes · 3,742 survey households
Owner-occupied basement homes built in 1990–202429.4%
95% interval 27.1%–31.8% · about 3.2 million homes · 1,723 survey households
Difference: 14.6 percentage points (95% interval 11.8 to 17.5).
Older houses are far more likely to have a basement that was never finished. If your home predates 1990, the basement is probably raw space with the most room to add living area, and also the most likely to need moisture and egress work first.
Source: Basement Scope analysis of 2024 federal household survey data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. How we calculated it
Basement finishing: costs and prices
$15,000–$75,000 Typical cost range to finish a basement, $32,000 average
Angi's cost guide, updated July 2026, publishes $15,000 to $75,000 as its headline finishing range with a $32,000 average across project sizes.
Angi, How Much Does It Cost to Finish a Basement (2026)$52,012 National average job cost for a midrange basement remodel
Zonda's 2025 specification covers a 600-square-foot finished entertaining area, a 10-foot wet bar, insulated exterior walls, painted drywall, three doors and 15 recessed lights. Use it as a national yardstick for a contractor-built basement of that scope; regional labor and finish choices move it.
Zonda, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report$32,000 HomeAdvisor's national average cost to finish a basement
HomeAdvisor's cost guide, updated June 2026, puts most basement finishing projects between $15,000 and $75,000 with a $32,000 average. The wide band reflects size, whether a bathroom is added, and how much plumbing and egress work is needed.
HomeAdvisor, How Much Does It Cost to Finish a Basement (2026)$7–$23 / sq ft Basic basement finishing runs $7 to $23 per square foot
HomeAdvisor's per-square-foot range for basic finishing gives a 1,000-square-foot basement a $7,000 to $23,000 materials-and-labor band. Full remodels with kitchens, bathrooms or custom millwork price far higher, so compare quotes on the same scope.
HomeAdvisor, How Much Does It Cost to Finish a Basement (2026)$1,200–$2,000 Typical basement finishing permit cost
HomeAdvisor reports basement permits generally cost $1,200 to $2,000, and its separate building-permit guide puts the all-project average at $1,650. Budget for the permit and the framing, electrical and plumbing inspections it triggers.
HomeAdvisor, How Much Do Building Permits Cost (2026)$50,000 Fixr's national average to remodel a 900 sq ft basement
Fixr's guide, updated January 2025, sets $50,000 as the average for a complete 900-square-foot basement remodel, with a typical range of $27,000 to $81,000 and $30 to $90 per square foot depending on scope. Fixr distinguishes basic finishing ($15,000 to $30,000) from a full remodel into dedicated rooms.
Fixr, Basement Remodeling Cost (2025)$20,000–$30,000 Adding a bathroom to a basement costs about $20,000 to $30,000
Fixr's basement remodeling guide prices a new basement bathroom at $20,000 to $30,000 because it usually needs an ejector pump or below-grade plumbing rough-in. It is the single biggest scope decision in most basement budgets.
Fixr, Basement Remodeling Cost (2025)$25–$65 / sq ft HomeGuide's typical finished-basement cost per square foot
HomeGuide's estimate of $25 to $65 per square foot, or $12,500 to $37,500 for typical sizes, sits between HomeAdvisor's basic range and Fixr's full-remodel range. Use it as a middle-of-the-road benchmark when comparing bids; this figure comes from the guide's 2025 summary.
HomeGuide, Cost to Finish a Basement (2025)$1,028 Average cost of a radon mitigation system
HomeAdvisor puts radon mitigation at $786 to $1,274 with a $1,028 average (updated June 2026); active sub-slab suction systems run $1,000 to $3,000 and a professional test costs $150 to $800. Relative to a $30,000-plus basement finish it is a small line item.
HomeAdvisor, How Much Does a Radon Mitigation System Cost (2026)$4,920 National average basement waterproofing cost
Bob Vila's guide, citing Angi, reports most homeowners pay $2,300 to $7,575 for wet basement waterproofing, averaging $4,920, with a new sump pump adding $490 to $1,170. Interior drainage is cheaper than exterior excavation, which can run $1,000 to $15,000.
Bob Vila, Basement Waterproofing Cost (Angi data) (2024)$13,640 This Old House estimate to fully waterproof a 1,000 sq ft basement
This Old House, updated March 2026, puts full waterproofing at $12,447 to $14,833 for a 1,000-square-foot basement, with interior systems averaging $3,000, exterior work $7,000 to $15,000, French drains $10 to $100 per linear foot and sump pump installation $1,200 to $2,500.
This Old House, Basement Waterproofing Cost (2026)$1,362 Average cost to replace a sump pump
HomeAdvisor's guide, updated June 2026, puts sump pump replacement at $645 to $2,120 with a $1,362 average. A working pump with battery backup is the cheapest insurance for finished basement flooring.
HomeAdvisor, Sump Pump Replacement Cost (2026)$3,500 Average installed cost of a basement egress window
Fixr, updated August 2025, prices a prefabricated below-grade casement egress window at $2,500 to $5,000 installed, averaging $3,500; custom units with excavation reach $10,000 and window wells alone run $3,000 to $7,000. Plan one per basement bedroom.
Fixr, Egress Window Installation Cost (2025)$4,216 This Old House national average for an installed egress window
This Old House, updated June 2026, puts the national average egress window at $4,216 within a $2,718 to $5,878 range, drawing on its November 2025 homeowner survey plus Angi and Fixr data. Below-grade basement units run $2,500 to $5,000 prefabricated or $3,000 to $7,500 custom, excavation including well labor $3,000 to $7,000, and permits $100 to $500.
This Old House, Egress Window Cost (2026)40 to 60% Labor share of a basement finishing budget (Block Renovation)
Block Renovation's 2026 basement cost guide says labor runs 40 to 60 percent of a basement budget, and a general contractor coordinating the trades adds another 10 to 25 percent for project management and oversight.
Block Renovation, The Complete Guide to Basement Remodel Costs (2026)$30,000 to $75,000 Block Renovation standard finish for a 1,000 sq ft basement
Block Renovation's 2026 guide prices a standard finish by size: 400 sq ft $12,000 to $30,000, 500 sq ft $15,000 to $37,500, 700 sq ft $21,000 to $52,500, 1,000 sq ft $30,000 to $75,000 and 1,500 sq ft $45,000 to $112,500, which works out to $30 to $75 per square foot.
Block Renovation, The Complete Guide to Basement Remodel Costs (2026)$250 to $1,500 Epoxy crack injection cost per crack (Elevation Basements)
Elevation Basements, updated April 2026, prices epoxy crack injection at $250 to $1,500 per crack depending on size and depth, concrete sealing at $1 to $3 per square foot, encapsulation at typically $4,000 to $8,000, and annual maintenance at $200 to $400.
Elevation Basements, Basement Waterproofing Cost (2026)$4 to $16 Luxury vinyl plank installed in a basement, per sq ft
BasementRemodeling.com's 2025 flooring comparison prices basement LVP at $2 to $7 per square foot for material plus $1.50 to $3 labor, $4 to $16 installed, against carpet at $2 to $8, waterproof laminate $4 to $14, epoxy or polyaspartic $4 to $12 and ceramic or porcelain tile $10 to $50.
BasementRemodeling.com, Best Basement Flooring Options Compared (2025)$2 to $8 Carpet and pad installed in a basement, per sq ft
BasementRemodeling.com's 2025 flooring comparison prices basement carpet at $1 to $5 per square foot for material plus $1 to $3 labor, $2 to $8 installed, and rates its moisture resistance poor against LVP's excellent.
BasementRemodeling.com, Best Basement Flooring Options Compared (2025)
Basement finishing: resale value and return
71.0% Midrange basement remodel recoups 71% of its cost at resale (national average, 2025 Cost vs. Value report)
Zonda's 2025 Cost vs. Value Report prices a midrange basement remodel, a 20-by-30-foot entertaining area with wet bar and enclosed mechanical room, at $52,012 nationally and estimates $36,905 of resale value. One of the better interior returns, but roughly $15,000 is still not recovered at sale.
Zonda, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report119 markets Basement remodels were the most consistent performer across 119 U.S. markets
In Zonda's 38th annual Cost vs. Value Report, covering 28 projects in 119 local markets, basement remodels were the newly added project described as proving most consistent nationwide. Homeowners in basement-heavy regions can expect returns close to the national figure.
Zonda / PR Newswire, 38th Annual Cost vs. Value Report release (2025)71% Realtors estimate basement conversions recover 71% of project cost
NAR's 2025 Remodeling Impact Report pairs NARI cost estimates with Realtor resale estimates. Basement conversion to living area ranked in the top half of projects for cost recovery at 71 percent, well ahead of a new primary suite (54 percent) or a new bathroom (56 percent).
National Association of Realtors, 2025 Remodeling Impact Report50–70% Appraisers typically value finished below-grade space at 50 to 70% of above-grade space
Opendoor's guide explains that below-grade square footage is reported separately from gross living area and is usually valued at 50 to 70 percent of the per-square-foot value of upstairs space; walk-out or daylight basements get a smaller 10 to 30 percent discount. Design the space for use, not to inflate the listing.
Opendoor, Does Finishing a Basement Increase Home Value (2026)
Basement finishing: behavior and choices
8.8 / 10 Basement conversions earn a Joy Score of 8.8 out of 10
NAR asks homeowners how happy they are with a finished project. Basement conversion to living area scored 8.8, above the 8.2 typical score, meaning most owners are glad they did it even though the resale payback is partial.
National Association of Realtors, 2025 Remodeling Impact Report6% Share of renovating homeowners who used a HELOC in 2024
The 2025 U.S. Houzz and Home Study found 84 percent of renovating homeowners paid from savings, 29 percent used credit cards and 12 percent used secured home loans, of which HELOCs (6 percent) were the most common. Among $50,000 to $200,000 projects, secured loans rose to 18 percent. Houzz figures describe its survey sample.
Houzz, 2025 U.S. Houzz & Home Study50% Share of surveyed Houzz homeowners planning a renovation in 2026
The 2026 U.S. Houzz and Home Study found 54 percent of surveyed homeowners renovated in 2025 and 50 percent plan to renovate in 2026. This is a Houzz platform sample, and stated intent is not completed work.
Houzz, 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study71% Surveyed homeowners who prioritized preventative maintenance (Angi, 2025)
Angi's 2025 Home Spending Pulse surveyed homeowners who had hired a pro in the previous year (fielded April 15–16, 2025). 71% said they were putting preventive maintenance first.
Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse53% Share of HELOC or home equity loan users who put the money into renovations
TD Bank's August 2025 survey of 2,012 recent buyers found 53 percent of those with equity products used them for renovations, 74 percent plan to stay in their home at least two years, and 66 percent are renovating or planning to within two years.
TD Bank, Homeowners Are Staying Put and Tapping Equity Products survey (2025)14.6 pts Unfinished-basement gap, pre-1990 vs 1990–2024 owner-occupied basement homes
Basement Scope's weighted analysis of the EIA's 2024 household survey microdata: Basement homes built before 1990 44.0% versus Basement homes built in 1990–2024 29.4% (a 14.6-point gap). Potential finishing research should distinguish existing condition from structural feasibility and purchase intent.
Basement Scope analysis of EIA 2024 RECS household data54% Share of surveyed Houzz homeowners who renovated in 2025
The 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study surveyed homeowners on Houzz about their 2025 projects and 2026 plans; 54% renovated in 2025 and 50% plan to renovate in 2026.
2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study52% Share of surveyed Houzz homeowners who decorated in 2025
The 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study surveyed homeowners on Houzz about their 2025 projects and 2026 plans; 52% decorated in 2025, alongside 54% who renovated and 47% who made repairs.
2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study47% Share of surveyed Houzz homeowners who made repairs in 2025
The 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study surveyed homeowners on Houzz about their 2025 projects and 2026 plans; 47% made repairs in 2025, while 54% renovated and 52% decorated.
2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study29% Surveyed homeowners who bundled repairs together (Angi, 2025)
Angi's 2025 Home Spending Pulse surveyed homeowners who had hired a pro in the previous year (fielded April 15–16, 2025). 29% bundled several repairs into one visit.
Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse19% Surveyed homeowners who picked cheaper materials or services (Angi, 2025)
Angi's 2025 Home Spending Pulse surveyed homeowners who had hired a pro in the previous year (fielded April 15–16, 2025). 19% chose cheaper materials or services.
Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse23% Surveyed homeowners who started projects early to beat price rises (Angi, 2025)
Angi's 2025 Home Spending Pulse surveyed homeowners who had hired a pro in the previous year (fielded April 15–16, 2025). 23% started a project early before expected price rises.
Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse62% Surveyed homeowners more worried about affording maintenance (Angi, 2025)
Angi's 2025 Home Spending Pulse surveyed homeowners who had hired a pro in the previous year (fielded April 15–16, 2025). 62% reported growing concern about affording home maintenance.
Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
Basement finishing: timelines
3–8 weeks Finishing a basement typically takes three to eight weeks of construction
Angi's timeline guide says construction usually runs three to eight weeks, with planning, permits and inspections able to stretch the whole project to three or four months. Plumbing and egress work add the most time. Figure taken from the guide's 2025 summary.
Angi, How Long Does It Take to Finish a Basement (2025)2x Homeowners spend about twice as long planning a renovation as building it
Houzz's 2024 study found planning averages twice construction time; kitchen projects took 9.6 months to plan and 5.1 months to build, and over 9 in 10 renovating homeowners hired a pro. Start basement design and permitting well ahead of the target completion date. Houzz figures describe its survey sample.
Houzz, 2024 U.S. Houzz & Home Study
Basement finishing: regional differences
63.9% Nearly two-thirds of new homes in the West North Central states still get basements
NAHB's analysis of 2023 Census data shows full or partial basements in 63.9 percent of new single-family homes in the West North Central division and 62.1 percent in New England, versus 16.6 percent nationally as slabs rise to 72.4 percent. Basement finishing is a regional market.
NAHB Eye On Housing, Share of Homes Built on Slabs Surges to 72.4% (2024)1,113 sq ft Average finished basement area in new homes built with basements
NAHB reports the average finished basement in 2023 new construction was 1,113 square feet nationally, ranging from 890 square feet in New England to 1,128 in the East North Central states. It is a useful size benchmark when pricing a finish per square foot.
NAHB Eye On Housing, Share of Homes Built on Slabs Surges to 72.4% (2024)57.7% Share of occupied Midwest homes over a basement (2024)
EIA's 2024 RECS preliminary data find 16.4 million Midwest homes, 57.7 percent of the region's occupied primary residences, have a basement, and 73.5 percent of Midwest owner-occupied homes do. The Northeast is at 51.6 percent, the West 14.2 percent and the South 12.9 percent. Regions overlap the national total.
EIA, 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey preliminary household microdata52.4% Share of Northeast basement homes reporting an unfinished basement (2024)
EIA's 2024 RECS preliminary data find 6.2 million Northeast homes with basements, 52.4 percent of the region's basement homes, report them unfinished, the highest regional share. The Midwest is at 40.7 percent, the South 31.3 percent and the West 26.5 percent. Denominator is homes over a basement.
EIA, 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey preliminary household microdata68.7% Share of Southern basement homes reporting a finished basement (2024)
Basements are rare in the South, 12.9 percent of occupied homes per EIA's 2024 RECS preliminary data, but 4.6 million of them, 68.7 percent, are finished, often as walk-out lower levels. The West is highest at 73.5 percent. Denominator is homes over a basement; installed stock, not projects.
EIA, 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey preliminary household microdata13.0% Share of Midwest homes keeping a second refrigerator in the basement (2024)
EIA's 2024 RECS preliminary data find 3.7 million Midwest homes, 13.0 percent of the region's occupied residences, keep their second refrigerator in the basement, against 7.0 percent nationally and 2.6 percent in the West. A reminder to plan dedicated circuits in a finish. Installed stock, self-reported.
EIA, 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey preliminary household microdata
Basement finishing: market size and trends
+29 pts Architects report finished basements and attics still gaining popularity
In AIA's Q1 2025 Home Design Trends Survey, the share of residential architects saying finished basement or attic space is increasing in popularity exceeded those saying decreasing by 29 points (31 in 2024). Accessory dwellings led at 62 points.
American Institute of Architects, Home Design Trends Survey Q1 202522.6% Water damage and freezing share of homeowners insurance claims
Triple-I's 2023 breakdown shows water and freezing as the second-largest claim category after wind and hail, with an average severity of about $15,400 over 2019 to 2023. Basement flooding from surface water is typically excluded, so check coverage before finishing.
Insurance Information Institute, Facts + Statistics: Homeowners and renters insurance (2025)$194,000 Average accessible home equity per mortgage-holding homeowner
Bankrate, in August 2025 citing Cotality data, reports the average mortgaged homeowner has about $194,000 in tappable equity, with HELOC and home equity loan rates averaging around 8 percent. That equity is the most common financing path for a five-figure basement project.
Bankrate, Using home equity for improvements and renovations (2025)$611 billion U.S. home improvement and repair spending peaked at $611 billion in 2022
Harvard's Improving America's Housing 2025 says spending rose from $404 billion in 2019 to $611 billion in 2022 and should stay above $600 billion through 2025; owners 65 and over now contribute 27 percent of outlays, up from 14 percent two decades earlier.
Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, Improving America's Housing 2025 press release29.5% Share of occupied U.S. homes that sit over a basement (2024)
EIA's 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey preliminary microdata estimate 39.1 million occupied primary residences, 29.5 percent, have a basement. This describes installed housing stock, not annual projects; regional shares range from 57.7 percent in the Midwest to 12.9 percent in the South.
EIA, 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey preliminary household microdata58.9% Share of basement homes reporting a finished basement (2024)
Among the 39.1 million occupied U.S. homes with a basement, EIA's 2024 RECS preliminary data find 23.0 million, 58.9 percent, report the basement as finished. The denominator is homes over a basement, and the figure is self-reported installed stock, not remodeling activity.
EIA, 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey preliminary household microdata16.1 million U.S. homes with an unfinished basement (2024)
EIA's 2024 RECS preliminary data count 16.1 million occupied homes, 41.1 percent of those with a basement, reporting the basement as unfinished. Northeast basement homes are the most likely to be unfinished at 52.4 percent; Western ones the least at 26.5 percent. Installed stock, not demand.
EIA, 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey preliminary household microdata41.1% Basement homes reporting an unfinished basement (2024)
41.1% of homes over a basement in 2024 (about 16.1M housing units); by region: Northeast 52.4%, Midwest 40.7%, South 31.3%, West 26.5%. Basement Scope's weighted analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026).
Basement Scope analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)7.0% Homes with their second refrigerator in the basement (2024)
7.0% of occupied primary-residence housing units in 2024 (about 9.2M housing units); by region: Northeast 12.2%, Midwest 13.0%, South 3.8%, West 2.6%. Basement Scope's weighted analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026).
Basement Scope analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)39.6% Owner-occupied homes over a basement (2024)
39.6% of owner-occupied primary residences in 2024 (about 35.5M housing units); by region: Northeast 74.4%, Midwest 73.5%, South 16.8%, West 19.5%. Basement Scope's weighted analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026).
Basement Scope analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)160,000 New single-family homes completed with a full or partial basement (2025)
New single-family homes completed with full or partial basement (all purposes): 2021 207,000, 2022 213,000, 2023 184,000, 2024 174,000, 2025 160,000 (New single-family houses completed, all purposes), from the Census Bureau's Characteristics of New Housing.
Basement Scope analysis of Census Characteristics of New Housing: foundation (2025)
Basement finishing: safety and codes
1 in 15 Nearly 1 in 15 U.S. homes is estimated to have elevated radon
EPA's Citizen's Guide to Radon states that nearly 1 out of every 15 homes has radon at or above the 4 pCi/L action level, and that radon causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths a year. Because radon concentrates in the lowest level, test before finishing a basement.
U.S. EPA, A Citizen's Guide to Radon (2016)4 pCi/L EPA action level; test the lowest lived-in level of the home
EPA recommends fixing a home at 4 pCi/L or higher and considering mitigation between 2 and 4 pCi/L. The Citizen's Guide says to place the test in the lowest lived-in level, the basement if it is used, and notes buyers may want a basement they plan to finish tested.
U.S. EPA, A Citizen's Guide to Radon (2016)1 in 60 About 1 in 60 insured homes files a water damage or freezing claim each year
The Insurance Information Institute reports water damage and freezing made up 22.6 percent of homeowners claims in 2023 and averaged over $15,000 per claim in 2019 to 2023. Finished basements concentrate that exposure, which is why waterproofing comes before drywall.
Insurance Information Institute, Facts + Statistics: Homeowners and renters insurance (2025)Excluded NFIP flood insurance does not cover finished basement walls, floors, ceilings or contents
FEMA's flood insurance fact sheet says basement coverage is limited to cleanup and building-service items such as furnaces and water heaters; finished walls, floors, ceilings and contents are excluded. FEMA also notes about 40 percent of NFIP claims come from moderate-to-low-risk areas and policies carry a 30-day waiting period.
FEMA, Myths and Facts About Flood Insurance (2025)5.7 sq ft IRC R310 minimum net clear opening for a basement egress window
Under the 2024 International Residential Code, basements and every sleeping room need an emergency escape opening with at least 5.7 square feet net clear area, 24 inches clear height, 20 inches clear width and a sill no more than 44 inches above the floor. All four must be met at once.
EgressUSA, IRC 2024 Egress Window Requirements (IRC R310)9 sq ft Minimum egress window well area under IRC R310.4
Window wells serving basement egress windows must provide at least 9 square feet of floor area with a minimum 36-inch width and projection, and wells deeper than 44 inches need a permanently attached ladder or steps. Adding a bedroom below grade almost always triggers this work.
EgressUSA, IRC 2024 Egress Window Requirements (IRC R310)
Basement finishing: maintenance and lifespan
30–50% RH EPA target indoor humidity to prevent mold in basements
EPA's mold guide says to keep indoor humidity below 60 percent and ideally between 30 and 50 percent relative humidity, and to dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours. A dehumidifier and vapor management are part of any basement finish plan.
U.S. EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home (2025)24–48 hours Window for drying wet materials before mold takes hold
EPA states that if damp materials are dried within 24 to 48 hours of a leak, in most cases mold will not grow, and that patches under about 10 square feet can be handled by the homeowner. Fast response after a basement leak protects finished walls and flooring.
U.S. EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home (2025)
State by state: homes built over a basement; basements left unfinished
Homes built over a basement: 42.9% nationally. Highest in Connecticut (91.7%), Massachusetts (91.2%), Nebraska (91.1%); lowest in Arizona (3%), Arkansas (7.2%), California (7.9%).
Basements left unfinished: 41.1% nationally. Highest in Maine (65.8%), New Hampshire (63.1%), Vermont (61.7%); lowest in Utah (12%), District of Columbia (14%), North Dakota (15.2%).
Basement Scope calculated these state estimates from the Energy Information Administration's 2024 household survey microdata. EIA publishes the 2024 survey nationally and by region, not by state. Shares are weighted; a dash means the state sample was too small for a reliable estimate (fewer than 100 households, fewer than 10 yes answers, or a relative standard error above 30%). Source data.
| State | Homes built over a basement | Basements left unfinished |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 42.9% | 41.1% |
| Alabama | 16.3% | — |
| Alaska | 24.8% | — |
| Arizona | 3% | — |
| Arkansas | 7.2% | — |
| California | 7.9% | — |
| Colorado | 66.6% | 16% |
| Connecticut | 91.7% | 54.5% |
| Delaware | 56.9% | — |
| District of Columbia | 83.2% | 14% |
| Florida | — | — |
| Georgia | 25.8% | — |
| Hawaii | — | — |
| Idaho | 30.9% | — |
| Illinois | 77.5% | 38.6% |
| Indiana | 49.8% | 44.9% |
| Iowa | 88% | 35.1% |
| Kansas | 72.3% | — |
| Kentucky | 49.8% | 43.3% |
| Louisiana | — | — |
| Maine | 82% | 65.8% |
| Maryland | 76.5% | 17.8% |
| Massachusetts | 91.2% | 49.6% |
| Michigan | 86% | 43.2% |
| Minnesota | 85.8% | 24.1% |
| Mississippi | — | — |
| Missouri | 75.2% | 46.6% |
| Montana | 60.9% | 25.3% |
| Nebraska | 91.1% | 26.4% |
| Nevada | — | — |
| New Hampshire | 91.1% | 63.1% |
| New Jersey | 71.3% | 49% |
| New Mexico | — | — |
| New York | 85.1% | 50.8% |
| North Carolina | 20.6% | — |
| North Dakota | 88.3% | 15.2% |
| Ohio | 76.6% | 49.9% |
| Oklahoma | 8.4% | — |
| Oregon | 21.9% | — |
| Pennsylvania | 89.8% | 53.5% |
| Rhode Island | 90.5% | 47.9% |
| South Carolina | — | — |
| South Dakota | 85.9% | 22.2% |
| Tennessee | 29.7% | 47.4% |
| Texas | — | — |
| Utah | 74.9% | 12% |
| Vermont | 88.6% | 61.7% |
| Virginia | 48.8% | 24.9% |
| Washington | 34.3% | — |
| West Virginia | 64% | — |
| Wisconsin | 90.1% | 49% |
| Wyoming | 65.1% | 21.3% |
U.S. housing data by region
How many existing homes already have the features that shape a basement finishing project, nationally and in each census region. Basement Scope weighted these from the federal survey records; counts are rounded.
Homes that already have it (EIA)
| Measure | U.S. | Northeast | Midwest | South | West | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homes over a basement2024 · occupied primary-residence housing units | 29.5% | 51.6% | 57.7% | 12.9% | 14.2% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
| Basement homes reporting an unfinished basement2024 · homes over a basement | 41.1% | 52.4% | 40.7% | 31.3% | 26.5% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
| Basement homes reporting a finished basement2024 · homes over a basement | 58.9% | 47.6% | 59.3% | 68.7% | 73.5% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
| Homes with their second refrigerator in the basement2024 · occupied primary-residence housing units | 7.0% | 12.2% | 13.0% | 3.8% | 2.6% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
| Owner-occupied homes over a basement2024 · owner-occupied primary residences | 39.6% | 74.4% | 73.5% | 16.8% | 19.5% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
Remodeling behavior (surveys)
- 54% Renovated in 2025 (2025 activity; 2026 plans, Surveyed homeowners on Houzz). 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study
- 52% Decorated in 2025 (2025 activity; 2026 plans, Surveyed homeowners on Houzz). 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study
- 47% Repaired in 2025 (2025 activity; 2026 plans, Surveyed homeowners on Houzz). 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study
- 50% Plan renovation in 2026 (2025 activity; 2026 plans, Surveyed homeowners on Houzz). 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study
- 71% Postponed a project (April 15-16, 2025, Surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in previous year). Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
- 71% Prioritized preventative maintenance (April 15-16, 2025, Surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in previous year). Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
- 29% Bundled repairs (April 15-16, 2025, Surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in previous year). Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
- 19% Selected cheaper materials/services (April 15-16, 2025, Surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in previous year). Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
- 23% Started early before price rises (April 15-16, 2025, Surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in previous year). Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
- 62% Increased maintenance-affordability concern (April 15-16, 2025, Surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in previous year). Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
New homes built with this feature (Census)
- 2021: 207,000 · 2022: 213,000 · 2023: 184,000 · 2024: 174,000 · 2025: 160,000 New single-family homes completed with full or partial basement (all purposes) (2021–2025, New single-family houses completed, all purposes). Census Characteristics of New Housing: foundation
- 2021: 148,000 · 2022: 153,000 · 2023: 116,000 · 2024: 121,000 · 2025: 117,000 New single-family homes completed with full or partial basement (built for sale) (2021–2025, New single-family houses completed, built for sale). Census Characteristics of New Housing: foundation
- 2021: 40,000 · 2022: 43,000 · 2023: 46,000 · 2024: 35,000 · 2025: 31,000 New single-family homes completed with full or partial basement (contractor-built) (2021–2025, New single-family houses completed, contractor-built). Census Characteristics of New Housing: foundation
- 2021: 13,000 · 2022: 12,000 · 2023: 14,000 · 2024: 11,000 · 2025: 10,000 New single-family homes completed with full or partial basement (owner-built) (2021–2025, New single-family houses completed, owner-built). Census Characteristics of New Housing: foundation
How Basement Scope compiles these figures
Published figures come from Angi, Zonda, Zonda / PR Newswire, National Association of Realtors, HomeAdvisor, Fixr, HomeGuide, Opendoor and other named sources, each linked where it appears. Housing data by region is Basement Scope's weighted tabulation of the EIA's 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey public microdata, using the survey's own weights and 60 replicate weights for the intervals, and of the Census Bureau's Characteristics of New Housing tables. Figures describe the period and population shown next to each one.
Homeowner polls
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Has your basement had water or dampness in the last two years?
The two-year window matches what a professional will ask about at the site visit.
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What total budget are you planning for the basement?
Angi's 2026 guide reports a typical range of $15,000 to $75,000 with a $32,000 average.
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Basement finishing statistics: quick answers
What share of U.S. homes are built over a basement?
29.5% nationally in 2024 (about 39.1M housing units), based on Basement Scope's weighted analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026). The share is highest in the Midwest at 57.7% and lowest in the South at 12.9%. The figure covers occupied primary-residence housing units.
Among basement homes, what share report an unfinished basement?
41.1% nationally in 2024 (about 16.1M housing units), based on Basement Scope's weighted analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026). The share is highest in the Northeast at 52.4% and lowest in the West at 26.5%. The figure covers homes over a basement.
Among basement homes, what share report a finished basement?
58.9% nationally in 2024 (about 23.0M housing units), based on Basement Scope's weighted analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026). The share is highest in the West at 73.5% and lowest in the Northeast at 47.6%. The figure covers homes over a basement.
What share of U.S. homes have their second refrigerator in the basement?
7.0% nationally in 2024 (about 9.2M housing units), based on Basement Scope's weighted analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026). The share is highest in the Midwest at 13.0% and lowest in the West at 2.6%. The figure covers occupied primary-residence housing units.
What share of owner-occupied homes are over a basement?
39.6% nationally in 2024 (about 35.5M housing units), based on Basement Scope's weighted analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026). The share is highest in the Northeast at 74.4% and lowest in the South at 16.8%. The figure covers owner-occupied primary residences.
Is unfinished-basement prevalence different in older and newer owner-occupied homes?
Older houses are far more likely to have a basement that was never finished. If your home predates 1990, the basement is probably raw space with the most room to add living area, and also the most likely to need moisture and egress work first. Basement Scope calculated this from the federal government's 2024 household survey data: owner-occupied basement homes built before 1990 44.0% versus owner-occupied basement homes built in 1990–2024 29.4%.
What does Angi say about typical cost range to finish a basement, $32,000 average?
$15,000–$75,000. Angi's cost guide, updated July 2026, publishes $15,000 to $75,000 as its headline finishing range with a $32,000 average across project sizes. Source: Angi, How Much Does It Cost to Finish a Basement (2026).
What does Zonda say about midrange basement remodel recoups 71% of its cost at resale?
71.0%. Zonda's 2025 Cost vs. Value Report prices a midrange basement remodel, a 20-by-30-foot entertaining area with wet bar and enclosed mechanical room, at $52,012 nationally and estimates $36,905 of resale value. One of the better interior returns, but roughly $15,000 is still not recovered at sale. Source: Zonda, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report.
Put the numbers to work
Free toolBasement finishing cost calculatorSize, material tier and complexity in, a realistic budget range out.
Free toolBasement comparisons: the five decisions estimators get asked about mostSide-by-side tables for the decisions that change the price most.
Free toolIs your basement ready to finish? Take the readiness quiz9 questions that show what you already know and what to check next.
Free toolBasement polls: how other homeowners are weighing the same choicesSee what other planners chose and add your vote.
Service guides
Service guideComplete Basement FinishingComplete basement finishing converts unfinished below-grade space into insulated, heated, code-compliant rooms with finished walls, ceilings, floors, lighting and often a bathroom.
Service guideBasement WaterproofingBasement waterproofing is the diagnosis and management of water entering or condensing in a basement, using grading and gutter fixes, interior drainage with a sump, exterior membranes and drains, crack injection, or dehumidification.
Service guideHome Theater & Media RoomsA basement home theater or media room is a finished lower-level space planned around one screen, fixed seating, controlled lighting and sound that stays downstairs, with conduit, dedicated circuits, equipment cooling and isolated framing installed before drywall.
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