Cheapest States for Landscaping (2026)
Landscaping cost ranked across all 50 states for a typical 2,500 sq ft project. The Southeast is cheapest (from $10,000); the West is priciest (up to $70,000) — a spread of about 56%.
Last updated
Which states are cheapest for landscaping? Landscaping is least expensive in the Southeast — including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and Kentucky — where a typical 2,500 sq ft project averages $22,500. It is most expensive in the West (Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, and Idaho), averaging $35,000. The national average is about $27,500 in 2026.
- Cheapest region
- Southeast
- Priciest region
- West
- National average
- $27,500
- State spread
- ~56%
$4–$20 per sq ft. States include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and Kentucky.
$6–$28 per sq ft. States include Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, and Idaho.
Landscaping Cost by Region, Ranked
Cheapest to most expensive, for a typical 2,500 sq ft project (2026).
| Rank | Region | Per sq ft | Typical total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southeast | $4–$20 | $10,000–$50,000 |
| 2 | Midwest | $4–$22 | $10,000–$55,000 |
| 3 | Southwest | $4–$22 | $10,000–$55,000 |
| 4 | Northeast | $5–$25 | $12,500–$62,500 |
| 5 | West | $6–$28 | $15,000–$70,000 |
Landscaping Cost by State, Ranked (2026)
All 50 states, cheapest to most expensive, for a typical 2,500 sq ft project. Click any state for a full local breakdown.
| # | State | Region | Avg total | vs. US avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama | Southeast | $22,500 | -18% |
| 2 | Arkansas | Southeast | $22,500 | -18% |
| 3 | Florida | Southeast | $22,500 | -18% |
| 4 | Georgia | Southeast | $22,500 | -18% |
| 5 | Kentucky | Southeast | $22,500 | -18% |
| 6 | Louisiana | Southeast | $22,500 | -18% |
| 7 | Mississippi | Southeast | $22,500 | -18% |
| 8 | North Carolina | Southeast | $22,500 | -18% |
| 9 | South Carolina | Southeast | $22,500 | -18% |
| 10 | Tennessee | Southeast | $22,500 | -18% |
| 11 | Virginia | Southeast | $22,500 | -18% |
| 12 | West Virginia | Southeast | $22,500 | -18% |
| 13 | Arizona | Southwest | $25,000 | -9% |
| 14 | Illinois | Midwest | $25,000 | -9% |
| 15 | Indiana | Midwest | $25,000 | -9% |
| 16 | Iowa | Midwest | $25,000 | -9% |
| 17 | Kansas | Midwest | $25,000 | -9% |
| 18 | Michigan | Midwest | $25,000 | -9% |
| 19 | Minnesota | Midwest | $25,000 | -9% |
| 20 | Missouri | Midwest | $25,000 | -9% |
| 21 | Nebraska | Midwest | $25,000 | -9% |
| 22 | New Mexico | Southwest | $25,000 | -9% |
| 23 | North Dakota | Midwest | $25,000 | -9% |
| 24 | Ohio | Midwest | $25,000 | -9% |
| 25 | Oklahoma | Southwest | $25,000 | -9% |
| 26 | South Dakota | Midwest | $25,000 | -9% |
| 27 | Texas | Southwest | $25,000 | -9% |
| 28 | Wisconsin | Midwest | $25,000 | -9% |
| 29 | Connecticut | Northeast | $30,000 | +9% |
| 30 | Delaware | Northeast | $30,000 | +9% |
| 31 | Maine | Northeast | $30,000 | +9% |
| 32 | Maryland | Northeast | $30,000 | +9% |
| 33 | Massachusetts | Northeast | $30,000 | +9% |
| 34 | New Hampshire | Northeast | $30,000 | +9% |
| 35 | New Jersey | Northeast | $30,000 | +9% |
| 36 | New York | Northeast | $30,000 | +9% |
| 37 | Pennsylvania | Northeast | $30,000 | +9% |
| 38 | Rhode Island | Northeast | $30,000 | +9% |
| 39 | Vermont | Northeast | $30,000 | +9% |
| 40 | Alaska | West | $35,000 | +27% |
| 41 | California | West | $35,000 | +27% |
| 42 | Colorado | West | $35,000 | +27% |
| 43 | Hawaii | West | $35,000 | +27% |
| 44 | Idaho | West | $35,000 | +27% |
| 45 | Montana | West | $35,000 | +27% |
| 46 | Nevada | West | $35,000 | +27% |
| 47 | Oregon | West | $35,000 | +27% |
| 48 | Utah | West | $35,000 | +27% |
| 49 | Washington | West | $35,000 | +27% |
| 50 | Wyoming | West | $35,000 | +27% |
"Avg total" is the mid-range estimate for a 2,500 sq ft project. "vs. US avg" compares it against the $27,500 national average.
How this ranking is calculated
BuildCost models landscaping pricing across five U.S. regions (Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, West). Each state is ranked by its region's labor and material costs, so states in the same region share a baseline — actual prices still vary by metro, contractor, and site conditions. Totals assume a typical 2,500 sq ft project at mid-grade materials. For a precise local figure, open your state's page or run the free estimate tool.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest state for landscaping?
The lowest landscaping costs are in the Southeast region — states like Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and Kentucky. A typical 2,500 sq ft project there runs $10,000–$50,000, averaging $22,500 in 2026.
What is the most expensive state for landscaping?
The highest landscaping costs are in the West region — states like Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, and Idaho. A typical 2,500 sq ft project there runs $15,000–$70,000, averaging $35,000 — roughly 56% more than the cheapest region.
How much does landscaping cost on average in the US?
Nationally, landscaping costs $11,500–$58,500 for a typical 2,500 sq ft project, averaging about $27,500 in 2026.
Why does landscaping cost vary by state?
The biggest driver is regional labor rates, which can differ 30–50% between markets. Material logistics, permit fees, code requirements, climate-driven construction needs, and local contractor demand also push costs up or down. BuildCost models pricing across five U.S. regions, so states in the same region share a baseline.
Compare Other Project Costs by State
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A quarter-acre backyard is about 10,000 sq ft. Most projects cover a portion of the yard.
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