Average Cost of Landscaping in 2026
Real US averages by yard size, project type, and region — plus what's actually inside that “average” number and how to tell if your quote is fair.
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The short answer
The average US landscaping project cost $8,500 in 2026. Most homeowners spend between $4,500 and $22,500; the median is right around $9,000. Per square foot, expect $8–$12 installed for a balanced softscape + hardscape job, with pure planting work running $4–$8/sqft and pure hardscape running $15–$30/sqft.
$8,500National avg, 2026
$9,000Median project
$8–$12Avg per sq ft installed
$150–$400Monthly maintenance avg
Average cost of landscaping by yard size
Yard size predicts cost better than almost anything else — at least within a project type. These averages reflect a balanced refresh (lawn + beds + one hardscape feature) on each yard size, not just one element.
| Yard size | Typical project | Full design–build |
|---|
| Small (under 1,000 sq ft) | $2,500–$8,000 | $8,000–$18,000 |
| Medium (1,000–3,000 sq ft) | $6,000–$18,000 | $18,000–$40,000 |
| Large (3,000–6,000 sq ft) | $12,000–$30,000 | $30,000–$75,000 |
| 1/4 acre (~10,890 sq ft) | $12,000–$28,000 | $40,000–$80,000 |
| 1/2 acre (~21,780 sq ft) | $22,000–$55,000 | $70,000–$150,000 |
| 1 acre (~43,560 sq ft) | $35,000–$95,000 | $120,000–$300,000+ |
"Typical project" assumes you're refreshing one zone at a time with mid-range materials. "Full design-build" includes professional design, complete hardscape and softscape, lighting, irrigation, and a project manager from end to end.
Average cost by project type
"Landscaping" is an umbrella. Once you narrow to a specific project, averages tighten considerably.
| Project | National avg | Most common range |
|---|
| New lawn install | $4,200 | $2,500–$8,000 |
| Garden / planting beds | $3,800 | $1,500–$10,000 |
| Patio (concrete or paver) | $6,400 | $3,500–$15,000 |
| Pool deck | $12,500 | $5,000–$25,000 |
| Driveway | $5,900 | $3,000–$18,000 |
| Elevated deck | $14,800 | $7,500–$30,000 |
| Walkway / pathway | $1,900 | $800–$5,000 |
| Full backyard remodel | $24,500 | $15,000–$60,000+ |
| Yard cleanup / brush removal | $650 | $200–$2,500 |
| Landscape design (plan only) | $1,400 | $300–$5,000 |
How we compute averages: These figures combine HomeAdvisor & Angi True Cost Reports (national + 100 metros), NALP industry data, contractor benchmark surveys, and ~8,400 homeowner-reported quotes generated through our calculator between June 2025 and May 2026.
Average cost of landscaping by US region
National averages mask huge regional variation. The same 400 sq ft paver patio costs roughly $5,500 in Mississippi, $7,200 in Colorado, $9,800 in New York City suburbs, and $11,400 in coastal California.
| Region | Regional avg | vs national avg |
|---|
| Northeast metro (NYC, Boston, Philly) | $11,000–$13,000 | +30 to +50% |
| West Coast metro (SF, LA, Seattle) | $11,500–$13,500 | +35 to +55% |
| Florida & Gulf Coast | $9,000–$10,000 | +5 to +15% |
| Texas & South Central | $8,000–$9,000 | −5 to +5% |
| Midwest | $7,500–$8,800 | −10 to +5% |
| Mountain West & Southwest | $9,000–$10,500 | +5 to +20% |
| Deep South & rural areas | $6,500–$7,500 | −15 to −25% |
For an exact regional estimate, our calculator uses state-level pricing across all 50 US states and territories — and 12 other countries.
Average cost of ongoing landscape maintenance
The install is one cost; keeping the yard healthy is the other. National averages for ongoing services in 2026:
| Service | Avg per visit | Frequency | Annual avg |
|---|
| Mow only (small/medium yard) | $40–$80 | Weekly | $1,400–$2,800 |
| Mow + trim + edge | $55–$120 | Weekly | $2,000–$4,200 |
| Full service (mow/fert/weed/leaves) | $100–$200 | Bi-weekly | $2,400–$4,800 |
| Fertilization & weed control program | $60–$120 | 5–7×/yr | $400–$800 |
| Spring + fall cleanup | $200–$500 | 2×/yr | $400–$1,000 |
| Mulch refresh (3 cu yds spread) | $300–$700 | 1×/yr | $300–$700 |
| Irrigation start-up & winterize | $75–$150 | 2×/yr | $150–$300 |
| Tree & shrub pruning | $250–$1,200 | 1×/yr | $250–$1,200 |
Build a full year-by-year maintenance projection for your specific yard with our lawn care cost calculator.
What the average includes (and what it doesn't)
An "average" only makes sense if you know what's inside it. Our averages include labor, materials, base/prep, delivery, contractor overhead, and a 1-year workmanship warranty. They do not include:
- Demolition. Removing an existing patio, deck, or shed runs $500–$3,000 extra.
- Major grading or drainage. French drains, retaining walls, and re-grading for slope add $1,500–$6,000.
- Permits. $150–$1,500 depending on city and project type.
- Design fees. $300–$5,000 for a stand-alone plan; 10–15% of build cost for design–build.
- Premium materials. Imported clay pavers, IPE hardwood decking, and natural flagstone add 30–70% to base material cost.
- Specialty features. Outdoor kitchens, fire features, water features, and shade structures are extras quoted separately.
If you want a quote that maps to your yard with these add-ons priced in, walk through our project calculator — it asks for each of these explicitly. Start the calculator →
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Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of landscaping in the US?
The average US landscaping project cost $8,500 in 2026. Most homeowners spend between $4,500 and $22,500, with the median around $9,000.
What is the average cost of landscaping per square foot?
$8–$12 per square foot installed for a balanced softscape + hardscape job in 2026. Pure softscape averages $4–$8/sqft; pure hardscape averages $15–$30/sqft.
What is the average cost of landscaping a 1/4 acre lot?
A 1/4 acre lot (about 10,890 sq ft) averages $12,000–$28,000 for a meaningful refresh, and $40,000–$80,000 for a full design-build with hardscape, lighting, and irrigation.
What's the average cost of monthly landscape maintenance?
$150–$400 per month on average. Mow-only is $40–$80 per visit; full service (mow/trim/fertilize/weed/leaves) is $100–$200 per visit.
Is landscaping cheaper than hardscaping?
Yes, by a lot. Softscape (lawn, plants, mulch) costs $4–$8 per square foot installed. Hardscape (patio, deck, walls, driveway) costs $15–$60 per square foot installed. On a typical full yard, hardscape eats 40–60% of the budget even when it covers under 30% of the area.
How much should I budget for landscaping a new home?
Industry rule of thumb: 5–10% of the home's value. For a $400,000 home, that's $20,000–$40,000 for a complete landscape (lawn, beds, patio or deck, lighting, irrigation).
Does landscaping add to home value?
Yes. The National Association of Realtors and Virginia Tech studies consistently show a well-executed landscape adds 5–12% to perceived home value. Lawn care has the highest ROI (~250–300% recovered at resale). Pools and elaborate hardscape recover less of their cost.
How accurate are average landscaping costs?
Averages are a starting point, not a quote. For any specific yard, the real number depends on access, existing condition, material grade, design complexity, and local labor rates. Use averages to spot quotes that are way off — then refine with a calculator or three local bids.
Sources & data:
- HomeAdvisor & Angi True Cost Reports — national and 100 metro areas, updated quarterly
- National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) industry surveys, 2025
- National Association of Realtors landscape ROI research; Virginia Tech curb appeal study
- ICPI (paver association), NADRA (decking association), Concrete Network installed-cost data
- ~8,400 homeowner-reported quotes from our calculator, June 2025 – May 2026
Last updated: June 6, 2026. We re-verify averages every six months.
