Price Per Square Foot Calculator: Compare Two Homes
Enter the asking price and floor area of two properties to see what each costs per square foot or square metre, and which one is cheaper per unit of area. Use the same area measure for both.
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Formula
price per area = price ÷ area
To compare two properties: difference = (price per area of B − price per area of A) ÷ price per area of A × 100.
Converting between units uses the exact definition 1 sq ft = 0.09290304 sq m, so price per sq m = price per sq ft ÷ 0.09290304.
Worked example
- Property A: 300,000 for 1,500 sq ft is 300,000 ÷ 1,500 = 200 per sq ft.
- Property B: 450,000 for 2,000 sq ft is 450,000 ÷ 2,000 = 225 per sq ft.
- B costs (225 − 200) ÷ 200 = 12.5% more per square foot.
- In square metres, A is 200 ÷ 0.09290304 = 2,152.78 and B is 2,421.88 per sq m.
When to use it
Use this page to compare two listings or to check an asking price against local sales. It does not tell you what a home is worth: for the monthly cost of buying, use the mortgage calculator, and for investment value, use the cap rate calculator.
Second example
A flat of 120 square metres priced at 300,000 costs 300,000 ÷ 120 = 2,500 per sq m, which is 232.26 per sq ft. A larger flat of 150 sq m at 345,000 costs 2,300 per sq m, about 8% less per unit of area.
Common mistakes
- Comparing gross area with living area.
- Ignoring the lot, parking or a balcony that one listing counts and another does not.
- Treating the cheapest per-area home as the best value without checking condition.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate price per square foot?
Divide the price by the floor area. A 1,500 sq ft home priced at 300,000 costs 300,000 ÷ 1,500 = 200 per square foot.
How do I convert price per square foot to price per square metre?
One square metre is 10.7639 square feet, so multiply the price per square foot by 10.7639. A price of 200 per sq ft is 2,152.78 per sq m.
Is a lower price per square foot always better?
No. Location, condition, lot size, layout and what the area counts (living area or total area) all change value. Use it to compare similar properties, not as a verdict.
How do I compare two properties?
Use the same area measure for both. If A costs 200 per sq ft and B costs 225, B is 12.5% more per square foot: (225 − 200) ÷ 200.
How do I convert price per square metre to price per square foot?
Divide by 10.7639. A price of 2,500 per square metre is 2,500 ÷ 10.7639 = 232.26 per square foot. This page does the conversion for you when you switch the unit.
How can I use price per square foot to estimate a home's value?
Multiply the typical price per square foot of similar recent sales by the home's area. If comparable homes sold at 220 per sq ft, a 1,800 sq ft home would be about 220 × 1,800 = 396,000, before adjusting for condition and location.
What is a good price per square foot?
There is no universal figure because it depends on the city, neighbourhood and type of property. Compare with recent sales of similar homes nearby, and remember that small homes usually cost more per square foot than large ones.