Lawn aeration cost by lawn size
| Lawn size | Installed price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Small lawn, about 1,000 to 3,000 sq ft | $50–$175 | Minimum charges apply to the smallest lawns |
| Medium lawn, about 5,000 sq ft | $75–$175 | About one-eighth of an acre |
| Quarter acre | $115–$200 | About 10,890 sq ft |
| Half acre | $160–$325 | About 21,780 sq ft |
| One acre | $200–$650 | About 43,560 sq ft; the guides disagree most here |
The guides agree on the small and mid-sized lawns and disagree at an acre, where HomeGuide is about half the other two. Angi puts the national average at $141, with a typical range of $76 to $207, but its own size table lists $500 to $650 for 5,000 to 10,000 sq ft, which contradicts that, so we use Angi only for the price by method. Forbes Home puts the average at $135 in its introduction and $130 in its table, and $50 to $125 for a lawn up to 2,500 sq ft, in line with the table above.
Cost by aeration method
| Lawn size | Core (plug) | Spike | Liquid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small lawn | $50–$180 | $40–$150 | $40–$120 |
| Medium lawn | $80–$180 | $60–$150 | $50–$120 |
| Quarter acre | $120–$200 | $100–$170 | $80–$140 |
| Half acre | $160–$330 | $140–$280 | $110–$230 |
| One acre | $200–$650 | $170–$550 | $140–$460 |
None of the guides says which method its size table uses, so we treat the sizes as core aeration and scale spike and liquid down from it, using each guide's own ranges for the three methods.
What changes the price
- Lawn size. Bigger lawns cost more, but not in proportion, because small lawns pay a minimum.
- Method. Core aeration costs the most, and spike and liquid cost less.
- Extra services. Dethatching and overseeding are priced separately or as a package.
- Large properties. Angi says properties over a quarter acre usually need a custom quote.
- Where you live. The calculator adjusts the labor share for your state's groundskeeping wages.
Extras to expect
| Item | Typical cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Dethatching | $100–$300 | A thick layer of thatch; the price is for about 10,000 sq ft |
| Overseeding with aeration | $160–$425 | For 10,000 sq ft, according to HomeGuide |
| Machine rental, one day | $80–$120 | Doing it yourself, according to Angi |
If the lawn is beyond saving, see sod installation cost or artificial turf installation cost. Watering is covered by sprinkler system installation cost, and a stump in the way by stump grinding cost.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Which method will you use, and is that the one the quote is for?
- Is there a minimum charge, and does my lawn fall under it?
- Is overseeding or fertilizer included, or priced separately?
- Will you mark sprinkler heads and irrigation lines first?
- Is the price per visit, and is a second pass included?
Methodology and sources
We price each lawn size from published guides, take the middle of their lows, midpoints and highs, and adjust the labor share for your state's wages. Forbes Home is used as an independent cross-check. Read how we estimate costs.
- HomeGuide: lawn aeration cost — price by lawn size and method, overseeding, dethatching
- Angi: lawn aeration cost — national average, price by method, rental
- LawnStarter: lawn aeration cost — price by yard size and method, rental
- Fixr: lawn aeration cost — price by lawn size and method, dethatching, overseeding
- Forbes Home: lawn aeration cost — used as an independent cross-check
- BLS OEWS May 2025, State (SOC 37-3011, Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers) — state labor index
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 |
|---|---|
| HomeGuide |
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| LawnStarter |
|
| Fixr |
|
| Angi |
|
Common questions about lawn aeration costs
How much does lawn aeration cost?
A typical job (quarter acre) comes to about $160 nationally, within a range of $120 to $200. Use the calculator above to adjust for your state, the options you choose and any extras.
How much does lawn aeration cost per acre?
About $200–$650. The guides disagree widely: HomeGuide puts an acre at $200 to $300, LawnStarter at $392 to $550 and Fixr at $480 to $650.
How much does it cost to aerate a quarter-acre lawn?
About $115–$200 for core aeration, $100–$170 for spike and $80–$140 for liquid.
How much does it cost to aerate a small lawn?
About $50–$175 for a lawn of 1,000 to 3,000 sq ft. Angi says very small lawns pay a minimum fee, which is why the price does not shrink in step with the area.
Is core aeration more expensive than spike or liquid?
Yes. For a quarter acre, core costs about $115–$200, spike $100–$170 and liquid $80–$140.
How much does it cost to rent an aerator?
Angi puts a DIY machine rental at $80 to $120 for a day, and LawnStarter puts a core aerator at about $100 per day plus a refundable deposit of $75 to $150.
How much does dethatching cost?
About $100–$300 for a lawn of around 10,000 sq ft. HomeGuide puts it at $100 to $300 and Fixr at $265 to $295 for 10,900 sq ft.
How much does aeration with overseeding cost?
HomeGuide puts overseeding with aeration at $160 to $425 for 10,000 sq ft. Fixr puts aeration plus overseeding at $700 to $1,400 per acre and overseeding alone at $450 to $900.
How much of the cost is labor?
Angi puts labor at $40 to $75 per hour. The machine is a small part of a visit, which is why the calculator treats about 80% of the price as labor.
Where do these prices come from?
They come from 4 published cost pages from 4 publishers, last checked Oct 9, 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.