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 $1,621 per year for a 5,000 sq ft lawn, or roughly $232 per month across a seven-month, 20-visit growing season.
- The typical lawn mowing visit is estimated at $46 nationally, with a standard season modeled at 20 visits.
- DIY lawn care is estimated at $338 per year in materials for the same 5,000 sq ft lawn, about 79% 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 $1,959 per year, while the Southeast is the least expensive at about $1,408 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 $338 to $601, since fertilizer and treatments scale per 1,000 sq ft while equipment costs stay flat.
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 is roughly half the total. 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 a lot by region. Southeast and Southwest run lower than Northeast and West, mostly because of labor rates and seasonal length. 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 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 | $46 |
| Full-service pro, per month (growing season) | $232 |
| Full-service pro, per year (5,000 sq ft) | $1,621 |
| DIY materials, per year (5,000 sq ft) | $338 |
Averaged across all regions in the app's cost model. 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 $46 per visit, and full-service professional lawn care averages roughly $232 per month during the growing season, or about $1,621 per year for an average residential lawn. Doing the same work yourself averages around $338 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 | $45 |
| Southeast | $40 |
| Midwest | $42 |
| Southwest | $48 |
| West | $52 |
Typical single-visit price for a standard residential lawn (roughly 5,000-10,000 sq ft), from the same regional cost model the calculator uses.
Most homeowners pay about $46 per mowing visit, with a full growing season running 20 or more visits. 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 |
| Midwest | $13 | $13 | $11 | $23 |
| Southwest | $14 | $14 | $12 | $24 |
| West | $16 | $16 | $13 | $26 |
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.
How much should you charge to mow a lawn? (for providers)
Flipping the question: if you're the one pushing the mower, here's how to turn the same cost model into a defensible price.
Start from the regional per-visit rate (about $46 nationally, see the table above) as your market anchor. Then price each job with a simple formula: (minutes on site ÷ 60) × your hourly target + travel + a margin for equipment and fuel. A solo operator targeting $60/hour who spends 45 minutes on a 7,500 sq ft lawn plus 15 minutes of travel should quote around $60-$70, right at the market rate in most regions.
Two adjustments new mowers underprice: size and condition. Quarter-acre-plus lawns take disproportionately longer than city lots (fences, obstacles, trimming), so charge 1.5-2x your base. Overgrown or biweekly lawns take 30-50% longer than weekly-maintained ones and are worth a stated surcharge, which is exactly why weekly customers get the better per-visit rate.
What you'll actually spend
Annual DIY materials cost by region and lawn size. Based on four fertilizer applications at the basic grade, two weed-control passes, and a one-day aerator rental. Mowing and equipment are separate.
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| Region | 1,000 sq ft | 5,000 sq ft | 10,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $127 | $335 | $595 |
| Southeast | $116 | $300 | $530 |
| Midwest | $118 | $302 | $532 |
| Southwest | $132 | $348 | $618 |
| West | $140 | $380 | $680 |
Numbers are computed from regional prices in the app's cost model. Actual local prices can vary ±15-30%.
These figures are materials only. If you hire a service, labor and markup typically double the number for a 5,000 sq ft lawn. 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 | Water /month | Aerator rental |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $8 | $10 | $45 | $35 | $75/day |
| Southeast | $7 | $9 | $40 | $45 | $70/day |
| Midwest | $7 | $9 | $42 | $30 | $72/day |
| Southwest | $8 | $11 | $48 | $55 | $78/day |
| West | $9 | $12 | $52 | $50 | $80/day |
Fertilizer, weed control, and aeration are materials costs and scale per 1,000 sq ft. Mowing is per visit (usually the biggest line) and water is utility cost. 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): 4 fertilizer applications × $8/1k × 5 = $160. Two weed-control passes × $10/1k × 5 = $100. One aerator rental day = $75. Annual DIY materials total: $335.
Professional service: 20 mowing visits × $45/visit = $900. Fertilizer, weed, and aeration services add roughly $713 in labor + materials + markup. Annual pro service estimate: around $1613.
The difference (≈$1278) is almost entirely labor: 20 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 needs less water, cutting the monthly water cost in half in some climates during peak summer.