Cost of Temples

How much does a temple cost to build?
It is estimated that they cost between $7 million and $70 million, depending on the size and location.[1] With one exception,[2] the Church hasn't published the cost of building temples since 1981,[3] so estimates are speculative.
Why does the Church spend so much money on a building?
The Church teaches that temples are "literally the house of the Lord,"[4] so they might feel like it's not a place to count the cost. Temples are made with high-quality materials and are built to last for generations.[5]
Couldn't they build less expensive temples and feed people instead?
Yes, but they don't.[6]
Why doesn't the Church just make small, inexpensive temples?
In 1997, the Church started building significantly smaller, less expensive temples.[7] The new smaller design could be constructed for "about the same cost it took just to maintain a large temple in a single year."[8] However, starting in 2002 the size of temples shifted back towards more moderate-sized buildings.[9]
Related Question
Is the church growing or shrinking?
Read more in Church Growth and Activity
Are temples built 100% with tithing funds?
Mostly yes.[10] The Church also never goes into debt to fund temple construction.[11]
What kind of economic effect do temples have where they are built?
There have been no broad studies on the economic impact of temples. Some anecdotal evidence suggests that temples have a positive impact on property values;[12] one academic study showed no effect either way from the Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple.[13]
- Tim M.
“The church has the greatest welfare system in America.” - Judy M.
“Of all the good places the Church could spend my tithing, a Temple to the Lord is the very best. We pay our tithing to develop OUR faith in God. The Lord could easily finance everything in the Church on His own.” - Valdinei D S
“O que deve reger as igrejas ,sejam elas de qualquer confissão, são seus dogmas. Igrejas não são construídas para ajudar os pobres e necessitados de alimentos ou vestes, são construídas para seus adeptos louvar a Deus, a ajuda a pobres ou necessitados é decisão dos membros.” - Michael
“The Church of Jesus Christ does both! That is feed the hungry and build Temples! God requires His people to do both! Feeding people has no eternal goal, but each day, ever temple offers eternal blessings to both the living and those passed on! Yes, Temples are necessary!” - Lincoln W.
“John 15:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. Judas’ query is a type of weaponized compassion. He takes a Good and tries to make it into the highest Good.”