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Postretirement Benefits (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2012
Nov. 30, 2011
Nov. 30, 2010
Postretirement Benefits Additional (Textual) [Abstract]      
Net periodic benefit cost $ 6,600,000 $ 5,500,000 $ 5,500,000
Service cost 1,300,000 1,200,000 1,200,000
Interest cost 2,300,000 2,300,000 2,200,000
Amortization of unrecognized loss cost 1,400,000 600,000 300,000
Other income that partly offset net periodic benefit cost   100,000  
Amortization of prior service cost 1,600,000 1,500,000 1,600,000
Other cost     200,000
Liabilities related to postretirement benefit plan 60,900,000 53,100,000  
Discounted rate for benefit plan 3.30% 4.40%  
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Benefits paid 500,000 100,000  
Cash surrender value of insurance contracts 64,757,000 59,718,000  
2013 1,200,000    
2014 1,400,000    
2015 1,800,000    
2016 2,400,000    
2017 2,700,000    
2018 - 2022 17,800,000    
Supplemental Nonqualified Unfunded Retirement Plan
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Cash surrender value of insurance contracts under KB Home Retirement Plan 42,400,000 41,700,000  
Unfunded Death Benefit Plan
      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Cash surrender value of insurance contracts $ 14,800,000 $ 13,700,000