How Much Does Artificial Turf Cost?
$8 – $20 / sq ft
National average: $12.75 / sq ft
Interactive worksheet
Artificial turf cost calculator
Set the scope, size, and state — the tally updates as you go. Built from this guide's figures and BLS state wage data.
01 Quality & scope
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State figures apply BLS construction wages (2025) at a 60% labor weight — how we estimate.
Your estimate
- Labor ≈60%
- $3,825
- Materials & equipment
- $2,550
- Planning range
- $5,738 – $7,013
low $8.00/sq ft $20/sq ft high
U.S. construction trades average $65,360/yr (BLS 2025).
Get three written bids. One far under $5,100 usually means missing scope — ask what's not included. Far over $7,700, ask what's driving the number.
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Artificial turf trades a lifetime of watering and mowing for a higher upfront cost. Installed, it runs $8 to $20 per square foot in 2026, averaging around $12.75 — and most of that is labor and base prep, not the turf itself.
What you’re paying for
The synthetic grass is only $2–$8 per square foot. The bulk of the cost — 50–60% — is excavating the old lawn, building a compacted aggregate base for drainage, installing and seaming the turf, and adding infill. Good base prep is what separates a flat, well-draining lawn from a wrinkled, puddling one.
Cost by component and grade
The table below breaks down the per-square-foot cost by component and turf grade, from standard landscape turf to premium putting greens.
Is it worth it?
The case for turf is long-term savings and convenience: no watering (big in drought regions), no mowing, no fertilizing, and a green lawn year-round. Over 5–10 years those savings offset the upfront cost, and quality turf lasts 15–25 years. The case against: the upfront price, summer heat retention, and a less “natural” feel than grass.
Base prep is everything
If you take one thing away: the base determines the result. A properly excavated, compacted, well-draining base keeps the turf flat, firm, and puddle-free for decades. It’s the least visible line item and the one never to cut.
How to save on artificial turf
- Choose landscape-grade turf unless you need pet or putting-green grades.
- Do larger areas to lower the per-square-foot setup cost.
- Never skimp on base prep — it’s the difference between a 20-year lawn and a 2-year one.
- Get multiple quotes — installation pricing varies widely.
| Component | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Turf material | $2 – $8 / sq ft | – |
| Base prep & aggregate | $3 – $8 / sq ft | – |
| Installation labor | $4 – $10 / sq ft | – |
| Infill | $0.50 – $2 / sq ft | – |
| Old lawn removal | $1 – $3 / sq ft | – |
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Turf material (landscape grade) | $2 – $8 / sq ft | – |
| Base prep + labor | $6 – $14 / sq ft | – |
| Pet-grade turf (installed) | $10 – $18 / sq ft | – |
| Putting green / premium | $15 – $25 / sq ft | – |
What affects the price
- Yard size Smaller projects cost more per square foot because of fixed setup fees.
- Turf quality Pet-grade, premium, and putting-green turf cost more than standard landscape grade.
- Base preparation Excavation, a compacted aggregate base, and drainage are essential — and a big share of labor.
- Site conditions Slopes, poor drainage, and tight access raise prep costs.
Artificial turf cost by state
Where you live moves the price as much as any option you pick, because labor is a big share of the bill and construction wages differ sharply by state. Adjusted with BLS wage data (2025), a typical artificial turf job runs about $9.35 – $23/sq ft in Hawaii (+17%) versus $6.80 – $17/sq ft in Arkansas (−15%).
See the typical range in all 50 states + D.C.
| State | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $6.95 – $17/sq ft |
| Alaska | $9.20 – $23/sq ft |
| Arizona | $7.60 – $19/sq ft |
| Arkansas | $6.80 – $17/sq ft |
| California | $8.95 – $22/sq ft |
| Colorado | $8 – $20/sq ft |
| Connecticut | $8.55 – $21/sq ft |
| Delaware | $7.85 – $20/sq ft |
| District of Columbia | $8.65 – $22/sq ft |
| Florida | $7.30 – $18/sq ft |
| Georgia | $7.35 – $18/sq ft |
| Hawaii | $9.35 – $23/sq ft |
| Idaho | $7.50 – $19/sq ft |
| Illinois | $9.20 – $23/sq ft |
| Indiana | $8.10 – $20/sq ft |
| Iowa | $7.75 – $19/sq ft |
| Kansas | $7.60 – $19/sq ft |
| Kentucky | $7.45 – $19/sq ft |
| Louisiana | $7.20 – $18/sq ft |
| Maine | $7.85 – $20/sq ft |
| Maryland | $8 – $20/sq ft |
| Massachusetts | $9.20 – $23/sq ft |
| Michigan | $8 – $20/sq ft |
| Minnesota | $8.70 – $22/sq ft |
| Mississippi | $6.95 – $17/sq ft |
| Missouri | $8.15 – $20/sq ft |
| Montana | $7.85 – $20/sq ft |
| Nebraska | $7.50 – $19/sq ft |
| Nevada | $8.25 – $21/sq ft |
| New Hampshire | $7.90 – $20/sq ft |
| New Jersey | $9.10 – $23/sq ft |
| New Mexico | $7.35 – $18/sq ft |
| New York | $8.80 – $22/sq ft |
| North Carolina | $7.20 – $18/sq ft |
| North Dakota | $8.10 – $20/sq ft |
| Ohio | $8 – $20/sq ft |
| Oklahoma | $7.30 – $18/sq ft |
| Oregon | $8.80 – $22/sq ft |
| Pennsylvania | $8.10 – $20/sq ft |
| Rhode Island | $8.30 – $21/sq ft |
| South Carolina | $7.30 – $18/sq ft |
| South Dakota | $7.20 – $18/sq ft |
| Tennessee | $7.35 – $18/sq ft |
| Texas | $7.30 – $18/sq ft |
| Utah | $7.50 – $19/sq ft |
| Vermont | $7.75 – $19/sq ft |
| Virginia | $7.60 – $19/sq ft |
| Washington | $9.30 – $23/sq ft |
| West Virginia | $7.60 – $19/sq ft |
| Wisconsin | $8.30 – $21/sq ft |
| Wyoming | $7.90 – $20/sq ft |
Estimates apply each state's BLS construction-wage multiplier to this guide's national range, a planning number, not a quote. Browse the full state cost guides or our methodology.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does artificial turf cost per square foot?
- Installed, it runs $8–$20 per square foot, averaging about $12.75. The turf material is $2–$8; the rest is base prep and labor.
- Is artificial turf worth it?
- It eliminates watering, mowing, and fertilizing, so it pays back over 5–10 years in water and maintenance savings — especially in drought-prone areas. The trade-off is the upfront cost.
- How long does artificial turf last?
- Quality turf lasts 15–25 years with light maintenance (rinsing, brushing, keeping debris off).
- Is artificial turf pet-friendly?
- Yes — pet-grade turf with proper drainage and antimicrobial infill handles pets well. It costs a bit more ($10–$18/sq ft installed).
- Why does base prep matter so much?
- The compacted aggregate base under the turf provides drainage and a level, stable surface. Skimping leads to puddling, wrinkles, and an uneven lawn — it's where quality installs earn their cost.
- Does artificial turf get hot?
- It can get warm in direct summer sun. Lighter colors, cooling infills, and a quick rinse help; it's a real consideration in very hot climates.
How we estimate: ranges reflect typical U.S. pricing for materials and professional installation, compiled and cross-checked against the current (2026) industry sources listed below (see our data & methodology). Your actual cost depends on your location, project size, material grade, and local labor rates — always get multiple written quotes before you commit.
Sources
Cost ranges on this page were checked against current (2026) data from these industry sources: