How much does it cost to clear land?
Clearing land costs $1,403 to $6,211 for most jobs in 2026. What changes your price is below.
Bob Vila says lightly wooded land costs $500 to $2,000 an acre and heavily wooded land $3,000 to $5,600 an acre.
Find out what it will cost you
Pick the job, your state's cost level and the last detail. The estimate updates as you change them.
An estimate built from published 2026 cost guides. It is not a quote. Get a written quote before work starts.
How much does it cost to clear land per acre?
| Average job | $3,803 (Angi). |
|---|---|
| Lightly wooded, per acre | $500 to $2,000. |
| Heavily wooded, per acre | $3,000 to $5,600. |
| Light vegetation, per acre | $250 to $1,000 (Bob Vila). |
| Clearing for construction, LawnStarter | $1,266 to $3,900, average $2,581. |
| Contractor hourly rate | $110 to $250 (Angi). |
| Tree removal add on | $200 to $2,000 per acre. |
What pushes a quote up
| Density | More trees mean more hours. |
|---|---|
| Stumps | Grinding or pulling stumps adds cost. |
| Debris | Hauling away costs more than mulching on site. |
| Slope and wet ground | Slow machines down. |
| Permits | Some towns require them. |
Land clearing cost by region
| Lower cost states | $1,125 to $5,000. Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia and most rural areas. |
|---|---|
| Average cost states | $1,403 to $6,211. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and most mid size cities. |
| Higher cost states | $1,825 to $8,100. California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington, plus big metros such as Chicago, Denver and Washington DC. |
These rows are our estimate. We took the typical national range and adjusted it for local labor costs, which run about 20 percent lower in the cheapest states and about 30 percent higher in the dearest ones. Land clearing prices vary by region and by how far the crew hauls debris.
How much does it cost to clear one acre?
One acre of lightly wooded land costs about $500 to $2,000 to clear. A heavily wooded acre costs $3,000 to $5,600. Brush only, with a few small trees, can cost less.
Ask what happens to the debris. Mulching on site is often cheapest. Hauling logs and brush to a dump adds trucking and tipping fees.
Clearing is not grading
Removing trees and brush is one job. Leveling the ground and preparing a building pad is another, priced separately.
Why this costs more in 2026
Heavy machines burn diesel, so clearing costs more in 2026.
Fuel is the common thread. AAA's national average for diesel passed $6 a gallon for the first time on September 11, 2026, up from about $3.70 a year earlier (CBS 8 reporting AAA). Every truck roll and every delivery carries that. Materials moved too. Associated Builders and Contractors reported construction input prices up 4.8 percent in a year as of March 2026, the largest annual gain since January 2023, and the Associated General Contractors said diesel jumped 37.8 percent in one month, the largest one month rise since 1990 (Roofing Contractor, April 2026). Some suppliers added freight surcharges this year. Ask how long your quote is good for.
How to judge the quote in your hand
- Ask what is removed: brush, trees, stumps.
- Ask how debris is handled.
- Ask if grading is included.
- Ask about permits.
- Ask for a per acre price.
Ways to pay less
- Mulch debris on site.
- Sell usable timber.
- Clear only what you need.
- Book in the dry season.
- Get three quotes.
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Common questions
How much does it cost to clear land?
About $1,403 to $6,211 for most jobs, around $3,803.
How much to clear an acre?
$500 to $2,000 lightly wooded; $3,000 to $5,600 heavily wooded.
How much do land clearing contractors charge per hour?
About $110 to $250.
Does clearing include stump removal?
Not always. Ask before you sign.