March 2026 data shows a rebound in US construction spending, driven by infrastructure and data center projects offsetting commercial real estate weakness.
US construction spending increased 1.3% year-on-year in March 2026, reversing marginal declines of 0.2% in February and 0.3% in January. The first-quarter average rose 0.3% YoY, signaling a shift toward selective growth after post-pandemic expansion slowed.
Residential building activity grew 0.8% YoY, while non-residential spending dipped 0.1% YoY. Data center construction surged, with spending rising from $31.1bn in 2024 to $41bn in 2025—a 32% increase—and quadrupling from $9.9bn in 2021.
The sector’s recovery remains uneven, with infrastructure and energy projects also supporting growth amid weaker commercial real estate performance.