In this work a value-based design approach is used to rationalize the structural design procedure in terms of initial investment and structural performance as well as other related parameters like design life span and economical conditions of the region. In this approach, at first a definition for design value is introduced in which the structural performance is converted to cost equivalent and based on this definition a value design curve for the structural system is found. Then, an optimality criterion is adapted to find a rational design point for the structural system. The results of such studies for residential occupancy shows the fact that a sub-optimal value design point for a base-isolated structural system requires much lower design shear force than the one usually recommended by code-based design approaches. According to the results, the base isolation system does not provide a strong justification to be used instead of the fixed-base system even in economies with high discount rates.