Historical Cost Indexes 

The table below lists both the RSMeans8 historical cmt: index based on 

Jan. 1, 1993 = 100 as well as the computed value of an m.dex based on 

Jan. 1, 2015 costs. Since the Jan. 1, 2015 figure is estimated, space is left 

to write in the actual index figures as they become available through 

either the quarterly RSMeans Construction Cost Indexes or as printed in 

tistorical CUrrent tldex 

Costhlex Based on 

HisiDrical 

Costhlex 

the Engineering Nef.m-Record. To compute the actual index based on Jan. 1, 

2015 = 100, divide the historical cost m.dex fur a particular year by the actual 

Jan. 1, 2015 construction cmt: index. Space has been left to advance 

the index figures as the year progresses. 

CUrrent hlex tlstorical c .. rent t~dex 

Based on Cost hdex Based on 

Year Jan. 1, 1993 = 100 Jan. 1, 2015 = 100 Year Jan. 1, 1993 = 100 Jan. 1, 2015 = 100 Year Jan. 1, 1993 = 100 Jan. 1, 2015 = 100 

Est Actual Est. Actual Actual 

Oct 2015* J(jy 2000 120.9 

July 2015* 1999 117.6 

,April 2015* 1998 115.1 

Jan 2015* 206.7 100.0 100.0 1997 112.8 

July 2014 204.9 99.1 1996 110.2 

2013 201.2 973 1995 107.6 

2012 194.6 94.1 1994 104.4 

2011 191.2 92.5 1993 101.7 

2010 183.5 88.8 1992 99.4 

2009 180.1 87.1 1991 96.8 

2008 180.4 87.3 1990 94.3 

2007 169.4 82.0 1989 92.1 

2006 162.0 78.4 1988 89.9 

2005 151.6 73.3 1987 87.7 

2004 143.7 69.5 1986 84.2 

2003 132.0 63.9 1985 82.6 

2002 128.7 62.3 1984 82.0 

2001 125.1 60.5 1983 80.2 

.............. to Cuts 

The "Historical Cost Index" can be used to convttt national m:rngt: building 

costs at a particular time to the approximate building costs tor some other time. 

b:a111plea 

~ and compan: construction costs fur different years in the same dty. 

1b estimare the national m:rngt: construction cost of a building in 1970, 

knowing that it cmt: $900,000 in 2015: 

INDEX in 1970 = 28.7 

INDEX in 2015 = 2rxl.7 

Not£: The city cost indexes fur Canada can be used to convttt 

U.S. national averages to local costs in C.anadjan dolla!s. 

b:a111ple: 

To estimate and comtme the cmt: of a building in Thronto, ON in 2015 with the 

known cmt: of $600,000 (US$) in NewYotk, NY ln 2015: 

INDEX1bronto = 110.9 

INDEX NewYotk = 131.8 

INDEX Toronto ---- x Cost NewYotk = Cost Toronto 

INDEX New Yotk 

110.9 

- X $600,000 = .841 X $600,000 = $504,6oo 

131.8 

The construction cmt: of the building in Toronto is $504,6oo (CN$). 

Est. Actual Actual 

58.5 July 1982 76.1 

56.9 1981 70.0 

55.7 1980 62.9 

54.6 1979 57.8 

53.3 1978 53.5 

52.1 1977 49.5 

50.5 1976 46.9 

49.2 1975 44.8 

48.1 1974 41.4 

46.8 1973 37.7 

45.6 1972 34.8 

44.6 1971 32.1 

43.5 1970 28.7 

42.4 1969 26.9 

40.7 1968 24.9 

40.0 1967 23.5 

39.7 1966 22.7 

38.8 ,. 1965 21.7 

Time Adjustment using the mstorkal Cost Inttexes: 

Index tor Year A ----xCost:inYearB=~~inYearA 

Index tor Year B 

INDEX 1970 --- X Cost 2015 = <m 1970 

INDEX 2015 

28.7 $ $ $ - X 9()0,000 = .139 X 900,000 = 125,100 2rxl.7 

The construction cost of the building in 1970 is $125,100. 

~ Cost Index updates and other l'C501.lR:CS are provided on the fullowing website. 

~/mro.~~~~~~~~~ 

Est. Ac:bJal 

36.8 

33.9 

30.4 

28.0 

25.9 

23.9 

22.7 

21.7 

20.0 

18.2 

16.8 

15.5 

13.9 

13.0 

12.0 

11.4 

11.0 

10.5