Lawn care cost statistics 2026
Key figures from our regional cost model, updated for 2026. These are modeled estimates built from regional labor rates and materials prices, not survey results. Each figure below stands on its own if you need a number for an article, a quote comparison, or a budget.
- Our model estimates professional lawn care at about $1,782 per year for a 5,000 sq ft lawn, or roughly $149 a month spread over the year.
- The typical lawn mowing visit for a 5,000 sq ft lawn is estimated at $45 nationally, with 28 visits a year for cool-season grass and 24 for warm-season.
- DIY lawn care is estimated at $438 per year in materials for the same 5,000 sq ft lawn, about 75% less than hiring the work out, because labor is the bulk of any pro quote.
- The West Coast models as the most expensive U.S. region for full-service lawn care at about $2,201 per year, while the Southeast is the least expensive at about $1,451 per year for a comparable lawn.
- Doubling lawn size from 5,000 to 10,000 sq ft raises estimated annual DIY materials cost from about $438 to $875, since fertilizer and treatments are priced per 1,000 sq ft.
How much does lawn care cost per month and per year?
National homeowner ranges before the regional adjustments below. Use the calculator above for a precise estimate based on your ZIP, lawn size, and the specific services you actually want.
For a typical U.S. homeowner, full-service professional lawn care runs roughly $100-$400 per month during the growing season, or about $1,200-$4,000 per year for a 5,000 sq ft yard. Mowing alone usually costs $30-$80 per visit depending on region and lawn size. Treatments (fertilizer, weed control, aeration) add another $400-$1,200 per year if you hire them out.
DIY lawn care is materially cheaper because labor makes up most of a pro's price. The same 5,000 sq ft lawn typically costs $200-$600 per year in materials (fertilizer, weed control, occasional aeration rental). The trade-off is your time: 20+ mowings plus a handful of treatment applications.
Pricing varies by region. In our model the Southeast and South Central come in lowest for full service and the West Coast and Mountain West highest. Mowing accounts for about 74% of the gap between the cheapest and priciest region, through both the per-visit price and the visit count (24 a year for warm-season grass, 28 for cool-season). The calculator above adjusts for your ZIP code instead of using national averages. For independent third-party ranges, HomeGuide and Angi publish similar homeowner-side breakdowns.
Average lawn care cost in 2026
National averages across every region a ZIP can reach in our cost model, for a typical 5,000 sq ft lawn. These are ballpark figures. Run the calculator above for a number adjusted to your ZIP code and the services you actually want.
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| What you're paying for | National average |
|---|---|
| Lawn mowing, per visit | $45 |
| Full-service pro, per month (spread over the year) | $149 |
| Full-service pro, per year (5,000 sq ft) | $1,782 |
| DIY materials, per year (5,000 sq ft) | $438 |
Averaged across the calculator's 11 cost regions. Local prices commonly run ±15-30% depending on labor rates and season length.
So the short answer: the average cost of lawn mowing is about $45 per visit, and full-service professional lawn care averages roughly $149 a month spread over the year, or about $1,782 per year for an average residential lawn. Doing the same work yourself averages around $438 a year in materials, because labor is the bulk of any pro quote.
How much does lawn mowing cost per visit?
Per-visit mowing prices by region for a typical residential lawn. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above to fold mowing into a full-season estimate.
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| Region | Mowing, per visit |
|---|---|
| Northeast | $44 |
| Southeast | $40 |
| Great Lakes | $43 |
| South Central | $42 |
| Southwest | $47 |
| West Coast | $54 |
Single-visit price for a 5,000 sq ft lawn, as the calculator prices it. Bigger lawns scale up with the size table above.
A 5,000 sq ft lawn runs about $45 per mowing visit, and the calculator counts 28 visits a year for cool-season grass and 24 for warm-season. Lawn size is the biggest price driver: small city lots often land below the regional rate, while quarter-acre and half-acre properties usually run 1.5 to 2 times the base rate, and acre-plus lots are typically quoted custom.
Frequency matters too. Weekly service usually gets the best per-visit rate, since overgrown biweekly cuts take longer and many crews charge a surcharge for them. If a quote seems high, ask whether it assumes bagging (slower, priced higher) or mulching, and whether edging and blowing are included or line-itemed.
Landscaping pricing: what related services cost
Mowing is rarely the whole bill. Typical landscaping prices for the add-on services quoted alongside lawn care, from the same regional cost model.
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| Region | Edging /visit | Aeration /1k sq ft | Dethatching /1k sq ft | Overseeding /1k sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $15 | $15 | $12 | $25 |
| Southeast | $12 | $12 | $10 | $22 |
| Great Lakes | $13 | $14 | $11 | $24 |
| South Central | $13 | $13 | $11 | $22 |
| Southwest | $14 | $14 | $12 | $24 |
| West Coast | $17 | $17 | $14 | $27 |
Use these unit prices as a landscaping pricing calculator for quotes: multiply the per-1,000-sq-ft services by your lawn size, then add per-visit items. Mulching, bed cleanup, and hedge work are usually quoted hourly at the regional labor rate.
The price of a lawn care service package usually bundles several of these lines. When comparing landscaping quotes, ask for the per-service breakdown so you can spot which line carries the markup, and check it against the table above.
What you'll actually spend
Annual DIY materials cost by region and lawn size on the calculator's Standard plan: slow-release fertilizer 3-4 times a year, two weed-control passes and core aeration. Mowing and equipment are separate.
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| Region | 1,000 sq ft | 5,000 sq ft | 10,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $88 | $438 | $875 |
| Southeast | $76 | $378 | $755 |
| Great Lakes | $87 | $433 | $865 |
| South Central | $80 | $400 | $800 |
| Southwest | $92 | $460 | $920 |
| West Coast | $106 | $530 | $1,060 |
Computed with the calculator for each region's most common grass. Actual local prices can vary ±15-30%.
These figures are materials only. Hiring a full service brings a 5,000 sq ft lawn to about 4 times this in our model, mostly for mowing. DIY owners should also factor in a one-time equipment outlay for a mower and spreader, which is amortized across many seasons.
What goes into a lawn care budget
Five cost categories, each scaling differently with lawn size. Use the regional unit prices below to sanity-check any local quote.
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| Region | Fertilizer (basic) /1k | Weed control /1k | Mowing /visit | Aerator rental |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $8 | $10 | $44 | $75/day |
| Southeast | $7 | $9 | $40 | $70/day |
| Great Lakes | $8 | $10 | $43 | $73/day |
| South Central | $7 | $9 | $42 | $72/day |
| Southwest | $8 | $11 | $47 | $78/day |
| West Coast | $10 | $13 | $54 | $83/day |
Fertilizer and weed control are materials costs per application and scale per 1,000 sq ft. Mowing is the per-visit price for a 5,000 sq ft lawn (usually the biggest line). Water depends on your own utility rate, so the estimator asks for it. Equipment (DIY only) amortizes across 5+ seasons, so the first year always runs higher.
DIY vs professional service: worked example
A 5,000 sq ft lawn in the Northeast. Same materials; the difference is labor.
DIY (materials only): premium fertilizer 3-4x a year = $263. Weed control and core aeration = $175. Annual DIY materials total: $438.
Professional service: 28 mowing visits × $44/visit = $1,232. The same fertilizer, weed control and aeration applied by a pro, at a 30% markup on materials, add $569. Annual pro service estimate: around $1,801.
The difference (≈$1,363) is almost entirely labor: 28 mowings, application time, and contractor margin. DIY saves the labor cost but spends your time and assumes you own or rent equipment and apply products correctly.
Three ways to spend less
- Hire a pro for treatments, DIY the mowing. The mowing line (20+ visits at the regional per-visit rate) is usually the single largest cost in a pro quote. Doing it yourself removes most of the labor premium.
- Mulch your clippings instead of bagging. Grass cycling returns roughly 25% of your lawn's annual nitrogen need, which directly reduces the fertilizer line.
- Raise your mowing height. Taller grass grows deeper roots and goes longer between waterings, which trims the water bill in a dry summer.