Artificial turf cost per square foot
| Turf quality | Installed price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Budget turf | $5–$15 | Sources disagree most on the low end |
| Mid-range turf | $8–$18 | The range most guides describe as typical |
| Premium turf | $15–$25 | Denser, softer or longer-lasting products |
These are installed prices per square foot, covering turf, base preparation and labor, with the labor share adjusted for your state. Removing an existing lawn and adding drainage are separate lines. Enter your area in the calculator to see the project total, which is the per-foot price times the area plus any extras you choose.
Why sources disagree
The guides we read give installed prices across a very wide span. Some quote the turf alone and others quote the whole installed job, and the quality of the product and of the base work behind it varies a lot. We priced the installed total, and kept the ranges wide rather than pick one source.
Extra costs to expect
| Item | Typical cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Existing lawn removal | $0.50–$3 per sq ft | Replacing grass or other landscaping |
| Drainage system | $2–$5 per sq ft | Yards that drain poorly |
Slopes, tight access, edging and infill can all add cost, and the guides we read do not give consistent figures for them. Ask for them as separate lines, and check the HOA's or town's rules before you start.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Is the price per square foot installed, including base and removal?
- What base material and depth does the quote assume?
- What pile height and warranty does the turf have?
- Will the installer handle drainage, edging and seams?
- Is the turf suitable for pets, if you have them?
Methodology and sources
We price each turf grade as an installed price per square foot, adjust the labor share for your state's construction wages, and price lawn removal and drainage separately. Read how we estimate costs.
- HomeAdvisor: install turf — material and labor per square foot
- LawnLove: artificial grass cost — installed average, labor share, removal
- SitePrep: artificial grass cost — quality tiers, removal, drainage
- The Pricer: artificial turf installation cost — grades, removal, drainage
- BLS OEWS May 2025, State (SOC 47-2061, Construction Laborers) — state labor index, a site-work proxy
What each source reports
Our estimate does not rely on any single page. This table lists each page we used and the figures it reports, so you can see where the ranges come from.
| Source | What it reports |
|---|---|
| The Pricer |
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| SitePrep |
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| LawnLove |
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| HomeAdvisor |
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Common questions about artificial turf installation costs
How much does artificial turf installation cost?
A typical job (500 sq ft of mid-range turf) comes to about $6,500 nationally, within a range of $4,000 to $9,000. Use the calculator above to adjust for your state, the options you choose and any extras.
Where do these prices come from?
They come from 4 published cost pages from 4 publishers, last checked Oct 8, 2026. We report what those pages say and do not invent figures; the table above shows each source.
How does my state change the estimate?
The labor part of the price is scaled by the average wage for the relevant trade in your state, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Materials and equipment are not adjusted.
Why might a contractor's quote differ from this estimate?
A quote reflects your specific scope, access, local demand and what the contractor includes. Ask for line items rather than a single total so you can compare bids on the same basis.
All 4 sources behind these prices
Every figure in the calculator comes from one or more of these pages, with the number each one supports in the link text.
- The Pricer: basic polyethylene or polypropylene turf $5-$10 per sq ft installed (Oct 2024)
- SitePrep: budget artificial grass $12-$15 per sq ft installed (May 2026)
- LawnLove: installed prices start around $5.45 per sq ft (Dec 2025)
- HomeAdvisor: turf material $2-$8 per sq ft plus installation labor $4-$9 per sq ft (updated Jun 2026)