The standard build
Every figure on this page prices the same deck:
- 16 ft × 20 ft (320 sq ft), ground level (under 2 ft off the ground), attached to the house on one 20-ft side.
- Railing on the three open sides (52 linear ft): wood railing for the pressure-treated build, composite railing for the composite build.
- 3 steps to grade. No demolition or removal of an old deck.
- Professionally installed: materials plus standard labor.
- Not included: the permit (typically $100–$500 per our calculator's permit note) and old-deck removal ($2–$5 per sq ft if you need it).
National baseline
From DIY Cost HQ's deck pricing dataset (2026 U.S. national averages, reviewed September 2026): pressure-treated wood installs at $15–$30 per sq ft, composite at $25–$45, PVC at $30–$50; wood railing $25–$40 per linear ft, composite railing $40–$80; stairs $75–$150 per step.
| Build (16×20, installed) | Total | Effective $/sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | $6,350–$12,150 | $20–$38 |
| Composite | $10,300–$19,000 | $32–$59 |
| PVC / cellular PVC | $11,900–$20,600 | $37–$64 |
Methodology — read this before citing
- The national baselines above are computed with exactly the math in our deck cost calculator: material rate × 320 sq ft, plus railing, plus steps, rounded to the nearest $50.
- Labor is 40–60% of most installed deck prices (our dataset's figure). Materials are priced nationally; labor is not. So regional variation is modeled on the labor half only, using 50% as the labor share.
- Each state is assigned to one of five cost bands based on relative residential construction labor costs. The band multiplier is: multiplier = 0.5 + 0.5 × labor index, with labor indexes of 1.50 / 1.24 / 1.00 / 0.84 / 0.70, giving multipliers of 1.25 / 1.12 / 1.00 / 0.92 / 0.85.
- Regional figures are therefore modeled estimates, not surveyed prices and not quotes. Band assignments are editorial. Our own calculator's advice stands: real quotes vary 30–50% or more by metro area, soil, access, and season, so get 3+ local written quotes before budgeting a real project.
The table: 16×20 deck cost by region (2026, installed)
| Band | Multiplier | States | Pressure-treated | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very high | ×1.25 | Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington | $7,950–$15,200 | $12,900–$23,750 |
| High | ×1.12 | Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia | $7,100–$13,600 | $11,550–$21,300 |
| Average | ×1.00 | Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming | $6,350–$12,150 | $10,300–$19,000 |
| Below average | ×0.92 | Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee | $5,850–$11,200 | $9,500–$17,500 |
| Low | ×0.85 | Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, West Virginia | $5,400–$10,350 | $8,750–$16,150 |
Find your state in the band lists above, then run your real dimensions through the deck cost calculator — it prices your actual design with the same dataset.
Three numbers worth quoting
- $6,350–$12,150 — a standard 16×20 pressure-treated deck, professionally installed, at 2026 national-average prices.
- About 1.6× — the composite premium. The same deck in composite runs $10,300–$19,000 nationally.
- Nearly 3× — the location spread. The identical pressure-treated deck models at $5,400 at the bottom of the lowest-cost band and over $15,200 at the top of the highest-cost band, driven mostly by labor, which is 40–60% of an installed deck's price.
Deck cost by region FAQs
How much does a 16x20 deck cost in 2026?
At national-average prices, $6,350–$12,150 in pressure-treated wood and $10,300–$19,000 in composite, professionally installed. Your region's band in the table above adjusts that range; your metro area can move it further, which is why we publish ranges, not point estimates.
Why does deck cost vary so much by state?
Because labor is 40–60% of an installed deck's price and construction labor is priced locally, while lumber and composite boards are priced nationally. Our regional bands model only the labor half varying; see the methodology.
Does this include permits, stairs, and removing an old deck?
Stairs are in (3 steps). Permits are not: budget $100–$500 in most jurisdictions. Old-deck removal is not: add $2–$5 per sq ft if a tear-out is needed. A raised or second-story deck also costs more — our calculator applies a 1.15× (raised) or 1.30× (second-story) height multiplier.
How do I get a number for my actual deck?
Run your real dimensions, material, railing, and height through the deck cost calculator, then get 3+ local written quotes. The calculator and this page share the same pricing dataset, so the two will agree.
Go deeper
Deck cost calculator
Price your exact design — size, material, height, railing and stairs.
Open the calculatorDeck materials compared
Pressure-treated vs. composite vs. PVC — lifespan, maintenance, and 20-year true cost.
Read the guideWhat deck labor actually costs
Where the labor half of a deck quote goes, and why two bids can differ by $5,000.
Read the guideFence & deck hub
Fence calculators and guides, plus the rest of the fence & deck section.
Visit the hubFigures: DIY Cost HQ deck pricing dataset, 2026 U.S. national averages, reviewed September 2026. Regional figures are modeled estimates (see methodology), not quotes.