Build Cost Examples · Updated September 30, 2026

The Cost to Build a Data Center in 2026: Five Worked Examples, 5 MW to 100 MW

September 30, 2026 8 min read Strategic Crypto Reserve Data Center Costs
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"How much does it cost to build a data center?" depends on how big, what kind and where. So here are five worked answers from the AI Build Configurator, from a 5 MW modular site for US$60.4M to a 100 MW AI factory with GPUs for US$5.28B, plus the steps every project goes through.

Cost to Build a Data Center

Five Worked Examples

Each example uses the configurator's default cooling for that build type and the state's own construction cost factor, power data and sales-tax status.

SCR AI Build Configurator v1.3.2, data vintage Q3 2026. US dollars. GPUs priced as B200-class where the build type buys them.
ProjectFacilityGPUsTotalBuild + grid
5 MW modular in TexasUS$60.4M—US$60.4M11 months
20 MW neocloud in VirginiaUS$298.1MUS$591.1MUS$889.2M20 months
50 MW powered shell in TexasUS$559.7M—US$559.7M30 months
60 MW miner retrofit in North DakotaUS$604.2M—US$604.2M20 months
100 MW AI factory in GeorgiaUS$2.33BUS$2.94BUS$5.28B38 months

The pattern: small and converted sites are cheap and fast; owner-operated AI builds are expensive mainly because of the accelerators. For the 100 MW Georgia AI factory, GPUs are 56% of the total.

5 MW modular, Texas: rear-door cooling, 11-month build 100 MW AI factory, Georgia: including B200-class GPUs 60 MW miner retrofit: North Dakota, 20 months

The Steps From Site to First Rack

Power comes first: from site to first rack Screen a site for CAD $950: Site Screening Report in five business days
  1. Secure power. Confirm capacity, the interconnection timeline and any large-load tariff with the utility before anything else.
  2. Screen the site. Compare power rate, grid queue, construction cost factor and sales-tax status across candidate locations.
  3. Choose the build type. Powered shell, neocloud, modular, retrofit or full AI factory; each has a different cost per MW and timeline.
  4. Pick cooling and density. Air, rear-door, direct-to-chip liquid or immersion; AI racks above 50 kW need liquid.
  5. Model the capital and operating cost. Line items, energy, staffing, tax and payback.
  6. Finance and contract. Leases, offtake or GPU-hour contracts turn the model into revenue.

Steps 2 to 5 are exactly what the AI Build Configurator does in seconds. For a single site, a one-time Site Screening Report (CAD $950) delivers the same analysis as a PDF.

With or Without GPUs: The Biggest Decision

Whether you buy the accelerators changes the cost to build more than any other choice. A powered shell leaves GPUs to the tenant; a neocloud or AI factory buys them. In the configurator, B200-class accelerators add roughly C$41M per MW of IT load, more than most facilities cost to build.

That is why many developers build the shell and lease it, and why GPU-as-a-service operators sign contracts before they buy. Compare every GPU class on our AI data center cost page.

Who buys the GPUs?: per MW for B200-class accelerators 100 MW AI factory, Georgia: of total cost is GPUs

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to build a small data center?

A 5 MW modular data center in Texas costs about US$60.4M on the SCR AI Build Configurator dataset, before GPUs, with an 11-month build.

How much does it cost to build a 100 MW data center?

A 100 MW hyperscale AI factory in Georgia costs about US$2.33B for the facility and US$5.28B including B200-class GPUs.

What is the cheapest way to build data center capacity?

Converting an existing Bitcoin mine or building a hybrid mining and AI hall. A 60 MW miner retrofit in North Dakota models at about US$604.2M with a 20-month timeline.

What should I do first when building a data center?

Secure power. Confirm capacity, interconnection timing and any large-load tariff with the utility before choosing a site or design.

Can I get a cost estimate for one site?

Yes. Order a one-time Site Screening Report for CAD $950, or run your own numbers in the free live demo of the SCR AI Build Configurator.