Tampa recorded the largest percentage increase in construction costs between April 2006 and April 2007, +10.6 percent, among 51 of the largest urban areas in the United States, according to the latest quarterly cost index report from RSMeans. Four of the top five metro areas in annual percentage cost increases are in Florida.

Those five rankings: Tampa, up 10.6; Orlando, up 9.6; Jacksonville, up 9.1; Wilmington, up 9.1; and Miami, up 8.3.