Artificial turf installation costs $7 to $22 per square foot installed in 2026
Artificial turf costs $7 to $22 per square foot installed in 2026. Most homeowners pay $10 to $20 a foot, so a 500 square foot backyard runs about $5,000 to $10,000. A 1,000 square foot yard is $10,000 to $16,000. The turf itself is $2 to $8 a foot. Base prep and labor make up the rest. Small jobs under 400 square feet cost more per foot, often $17 to $25. HomeGuide says artificial grass costs $10 to $25 per square foot with installation.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| HomeGuide | HomeGuide says artificial grass costs $10 to $25 per square foot with installation. |
| ArtificialTurfCost.co | ArtificialTurfCost.co says installed turf runs about $7 to $20 per square foot, with materials at $2 to $8. |
| Angi | Angi puts the total at $6 to $22 per square foot, with materials at $2 to $8 and labor at $4 to $9. |
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| The turf grade | Basic is $8 to $12 installed. Mid grade is $11 to $16. Pet and putting turf is $15 to $22. |
| Yard size | Big yards cost less per foot because base prep and delivery are fixed costs. |
| Site prep | Removing old grass, grading and adding 3 to 4 inches of base rock is most of the labor. |
| Your city | The Bay Area runs $18 to $26 a foot. The Southeast runs $10 to $16. |
| Extras | Edging is $5 to $18 a linear foot. Pet odor infill adds $1 to $2 a square foot. |
What the price includes
An installed quote covers removing the old lawn, grading, weed barrier, compacted base rock, the turf, seaming, nails or staples, infill and a final brush. Drainage pipes, edging and sprinkler capping are usually extra. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
DIY or hire a pro
A handy person can lay turf, but the base work is hard. You must dig out the old lawn, set the slope for drainage, and pack the rock flat with a rented plate compactor. A weak base leads to bumps and pooling water. Cutting and seaming turf also takes care, or the seams show. Doing it yourself saves the labor cost, which Angi puts at $4 to $9 per square foot. Hire a pro for big yards, slopes, pet areas and putting greens. Ask any pro for photos of past jobs and a written warranty.
How to judge your quote
- Ask for the price per square foot and the total, with turf, base and labor listed apart.
- Check that the base is 3 to 4 inches of compacted rock, not just a thin layer.
- Ask about the turf warranty, the pile height and what infill is used.
- A fair quote includes removing old grass, seaming, edging and a final brushing.
- Compare the total with the range above: $7 to $22 per square foot installed for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Do the demolition yourself. Pulling out the old lawn can save $1 to $2 a foot.
- Buy turf direct from a supplier and hire a crew for the install. Material only runs $2.60 to $3.50 a foot at some direct sellers.
- Pick a mid grade turf for a normal backyard. Premium turf only matters for pets or heavy play.
- Get three quotes and ask each for the base depth. Thin base is where cheap quotes cut corners.
Why this costs more in 2026
Artificial turf fibers are made from polyethylene and polypropylene, both petroleum plastics, so turf prices track oil. Oil spiked after the Iran war began in February 2026. Base rock is sold by the delivered ton, and record diesel prices raise every delivery. Drought rules in western states also keep demand high, so installers are busy and quotes stay firm.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from HomeGuide, ArtificialTurfCost.co and Angi. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does artificial turf cost per square foot?
Angi puts the total at $6 to $22 per square foot, with materials at $2 to $8. HomeGuide says $10 to $25 with installation.
How much for a 1,000 square foot yard?
ArtificialTurfCost.co says a 1,000 square foot lawn runs $10,200 to $16,150 installed.
Is artificial turf worth it?
It saves water and mowing, and it stays green. It costs more up front than sod, and it can get hot in the sun.
How can I pay less?
Pick a mid grade turf and prepare the site yourself where you can. Bigger yards also cost less per foot.