US Construction Spending Edges Higher in May
Monthly Construction Spending, May 2026
On Wednesday, the US Census Bureau reported that total construction spending in May was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $2,210.2 billion, up 0.1% from the revised April estimate of $2,207.1 billion. Compared to May 2025, spending was down 1.5% from $2,244.4 billion.
For the first five months of 2026, construction spending totaled $858.4 billion—2.7% lower than the $882.2 billion spent during the same period in 2025.
Private Construction
Private construction spending was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,669.0 billion in May, virtually unchanged from the revised April total of $1,668.5 billion.
Residential construction rose 0.3% to $930.2 billion, up from $927.1 billion in April. Nonresidential construction declined 0.3% to $738.7 billion, compared to $741.3 billion in April.
Public Construction
Public construction spending was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $541.2 billion in May, up 0.5% from the revised April figure of $538.6 billion.
Educational construction rose 0.6% to $113.4 billion, while highway construction increased 0.6% to $150.6 billion.
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