How Much Does a Cost Segregation Study Cost in 2026?

Cost segregation studies range from $800 to $15,000. That's a wide range. Here's what's actually driving the price difference and what you should expect to pay for a residential or small commercial property.

The price ranges by property type

For the rental investors reading this — single family rentals and STRs — you should be paying $800–$2,500. If a firm is quoting you $5,000 for a single family rental, they're pricing for the wrong customer.

What drives the price

Property complexity. A single family STR with standard construction is straightforward to analyze. A 50-unit multifamily with mixed-use commercial space on the ground floor requires significantly more work.

Field study vs. desktop study. A field study requires an engineer to physically visit the property. That adds travel, time, and cost. For residential properties, field studies are generally unnecessary — a properly executed desktop study is equally defensible and costs less.

Firm overhead. Large accounting firms and national cost segregation providers carry significant overhead. You're partially paying for their brand. Specialized boutique providers and direct-delivery platforms like Segmint eliminate that overhead.

Geographic market. Studies in high cost-of-living metros tend to run higher due to local engineering rates.

What you're actually paying for

A cost segregation study is a professional deliverable. You're paying for: component identification and classification, RSMeans-benchmarked cost allocation, IRS ATG-compliant methodology, a preparer who signs and certifies the work, and a document that will hold up to scrutiny.

You are not paying for: a software-generated estimate, a one-page summary, or a number without supporting documentation.

Ask any provider: can I see a sample study? If they can't or won't show you one, don't buy.

The ROI question

At $1,197 for a full study, the break-even on a $500,000 STR at a 24% bracket is roughly $4,154 in additional tax savings — which a legitimate study will almost certainly exceed.

The question isn't whether the study is expensive. It's whether the tax benefit justifies the cost. For properties above $400,000, the math almost always works.

Fee structures to watch out for

Percentage of tax savings. Some firms charge a percentage of the tax benefit rather than a flat fee. This sounds aligned but creates an incentive to be aggressive with classifications that may not hold up. Flat fee pricing is cleaner.

Annual subscription models. Some platforms bundle cost segregation into ongoing advisory subscriptions. Fine if you need the advisory — but if you just need a study, you're probably overpaying.

Upfront + contingency. Some firms charge a flat upfront fee plus a percentage of savings above a threshold. Read the fine print.

What Segmint charges

$1,197. Flat. One study, one property, delivered within 24 hours of intake submission. IRS-defensible, preparer-certified, RSMeans-benchmarked.

Run the free savings estimate first to confirm your property qualifies. If the numbers don't support it, we'll tell you that too.