To produce our data centre construction cost index for 2025, data centre benchmarking cost data was captured from more than 300 live or recent projects in more than 20 countries. All costs are converted into US dollars.
To supplement our construction cost data, we also conducted an online poll of over 280 experts working across the data centre industry.
Construction cost data is captured under the following key capital cost headings: shell and core, architectural fit-out and finishes, mechanical and electrical fit-out, general contractor preliminaries, general contractor margin, general contractor contingency, and mechanical and electrical equipment. All costs are converted into USD using the average foreign exchange rate between 1 Oct 2024 and 1 Oct 2025.
Exchange rates
We used the average FX rate between 1 October 2024 and 1 October 2025 for the conversions to USD. 2024-2025 continues to experience some significant exchange rate fluctuations between USD and other currencies.
Baseline model assumptions
Benchmarking cost data has been modified to represent a typical air-cooled, build-to-suit hyperscale data centre in the average range of 30-50MW (IT load). Multi-client colocation facilities or enterprise end-user facilities may change the indicated US$/W by up to 15 percent. Latest available benchmark data from US liquid-cooled data centres indicates an average cost premium of 7-10 percent when compared to air-cooled data centre benchmarks of similar IT load.
Shell and core
Our network of regional offices provided real project benchmark data for actual data centre shell and core construction expenses, where available.
Equipment
Actual quoted equipment costs have been applied and factored in as necessary. Additional costs per location are also applied for local sales tax/VAT, import duties and freight where applicable.
Construction labour and materials
The index results incorporate actual construction labour and material costs from live or recent projects in each market.
Preliminaries/general conditions and general requirements
The index results incorporate actual preliminaries/general conditions and general requirement costs from live or recent projects in each market.
Exclusions
The cost model does not include any client direct costs, land purchase costs, utility works, abnormal groundworks, site works, active IT equipment, fibre cabling to support office fit-outs or professional services fees.
About Turner & Townsend
Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries.
Working with our clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, we transform together delivering outcomes that improve people’s lives. Working in partnership makes it possible to deliver the world’s most impactful projects and programmes as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success.
Our capabilities include programme, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions.
We are majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with our partners holding a significant minority interest. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide clients with the premier programme, project and cost management offering in markets around the world.
© Turner & Townsend Limited. All rights reserved October 2025. This content is for general information purposes only and does not purport to constitute professional advice. We do not make any representation or give any warranty and shall not be liable for any losses or damages whatsoever, arising from reliance on information contained in this document. It must not be made available or copied or otherwise quoted or referred to in whole or in part in any way, including orally, to any other party without our express written permission and we accept no liability of whatsoever nature for any use by any other party.
Contents
Follow us
