Yes—Denver’s nonresidential construction costs rose faster than the national rate year over year through Q2 2026, according to Mortenson’s Construction Cost Index. But Denver’s increase was smaller than the national increase in Q2 alone, so the answer depends on the time period being compared.
How Denver compares with the national rate
Mortenson’s Q2 2026 figures show Denver nonresidential construction costs up 6.84% year over year, compared with a 5.60% national increase. In Q2 itself, Denver costs rose 1.37%, while the national quarterly increase was 1.58%. The annual comparison supports the headline; the latest quarter’s comparison does not. Mortenson’s Denver index page reports both measures.
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| Comparison period | Denver | National | Source and scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year over year through Q2 2026 | +6.84% | +5.60% | Mortenson Construction Cost Index; nonresidential construction costs |
| Q2 2026 quarterly change | +1.37% | +1.58% | Mortenson Construction Cost Index; nonresidential construction costs |
These figures measure different windows. Year-over-year change compares Q2 2026 with the same quarter a year earlier; the quarterly figure compares Q2 with the preceding quarter. A faster annual rise does not mean Denver costs rose faster in every recent quarter.
What Mortenson’s index measures
Mortenson calculates its index quarterly by pricing representative nonresidential construction projects in eight metropolitan areas. The Q3 2026 announcement, dated September 8, 2026, reports data reflecting Q2 activity. It includes national comparisons alongside the tracked metro markets. It is not a census of every project, a measure of residential construction, or a project-specific estimate. See Mortenson’s Q3 2026 announcement.
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How the comparison has changed since Q1
Mortenson’s Q1 2026 index showed Denver up 10.37% year over year against 6.77% nationally. For that quarter, Denver’s quarterly increase was 2.44%, compared with 1.69% nationally. By Q2, the year-over-year gap had narrowed, and the quarterly comparison had reversed. Mortenson’s index page provides the earlier figures.
Which construction scopes are moving
Denver: selected concrete and steel work
Mortenson characterized Denver’s Q2 movement as moderate, concentrated in selected concrete and steel scopes. Its report says: “Denver recorded moderate cost movement this quarter, with increases concentrated in select concrete and steel scopes.” Site concrete and reinforcing steel rose most strongly, while several finish trades declined or stayed flat. These are trade-level observations, not a claim that every Denver project or scope followed the same pattern. Mortenson’s Q2 activity report provides the detail.
Nationally: electrical and metal-intensive work
For the national index, Mortenson reported Q2 increases concentrated in electrical and metal-intensive scopes. These percentages are national scope changes, not Denver-specific results.
| Scope | Q2 2026 change reported by Mortenson |
|---|---|
| Electrical systems | +3.4% |
| Miscellaneous metal fabrication | +3.3% |
| Structural steel and metal decking | +3.2% |
| Reinforcing material | +2.9% |
| Cast-in-place concrete | +2.0% |
| Fire protection systems | +1.7% |
Mortenson identifies labor agreements, demand from large projects for electrical capacity and skilled trades, metal-intensive work, tariffs, elevated energy costs, and geopolitical disruption as cost pressures. Their effect can vary by trade, project timing, and procurement needs.
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Why another index may show a different result
A separate Q3 2026 comparison reported by Bisnow, citing Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), put Denver’s year-over-year increase at about 4.6% and the national increase at about 4.5%. Bisnow reported both quarterly rates at about 1.3%. These are approximate figures from a different index and period—not a continuation of Mortenson’s Q2 series. Bisnow’s October 5, 2026 account is accessible, but the linked RLB report was not; treat the figures as Bisnow’s reporting of RLB rather than independently verified primary data. Read Bisnow’s account of RLB’s Q3 figures.
Index comparisons are meaningful only when the publisher, methodology, market coverage, construction scope, and measurement period are kept clear. Mortenson’s Q2 results and the separately reported RLB Q3 figures should not be combined into a single trend line without accounting for those differences.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to use the numbers when budgeting a project
An index can help identify the direction and relative pace of market movement, but it cannot price a particular job. A project budget also depends on its location, design, specifications, schedule, procurement choices, labor requirements, and site conditions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Use the index whose geography and nonresidential scope most closely match the work, and note its measurement period.
- Review the trades that matter to the project rather than applying a broad percentage uniformly to every scope.
- For a planning reference, Gordian’s RSMeans catalog lists cost-data books and RSMeans Data Online estimating data, with costs localized across more than 970 North American locations. Reference data can support budgeting, but it does not replace project-specific pricing or a contractor’s bid.
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