21 Lawn Care Statistics: Costs, Water Use, Industry Size, and ROI (2026)
The numbers behind what lawns cost, how much water they use, who cares for them, and what maintenance returns at resale in 2026.
Lawns are the single largest irrigated crop in America, covering roughly 40 million acres, and keeping them green is a $176.7 billion business. The figures below pull together verified 2026 data on what lawn care costs, how big the industry is, how much water lawns use, how many homeowners hire help, and what maintenance returns at resale. If you are weighing regular upkeep or a one-time cleanup, our lawn care services connect you with vetted pros. Here are 21 statistics that put the numbers in context.
Key Takeaways
- Lawn care typically costs about $300, most often ranging from $100 to $500 per job depending on lawn size and services (This Old House).
- US landscaping services generate about $176.7 billion in 2026, spread across a highly fragmented market (IBISWorld).
- Lawns cover about 40 million acres, roughly three times more land than irrigated corn, making turf the largest irrigated crop in the country (NASA).
- Outdoor use is more than 30% of household water, and landscape irrigation totals nearly 9 billion gallons per day (EPA WaterSense).
- As much as 50% of outdoor water is wasted to wind, evaporation, and runoff from inefficient irrigation (EPA WaterSense).
- Standard lawn care service recovered 217% of its cost at resale, the highest return of any outdoor project, with a Joy Score of 9.4 out of 10 (NAR and NALP).
- Homes with strong curb appeal sell for about 7% more than comparable homes nearby (University of Texas at Arlington).
What lawn care costs
1. Lawn care typically costs about $300
Lawn care services typically cost around $300, with prices most commonly ranging from about $100 to $500 depending on lawn size, condition, and the mix of services, according to This Old House. Larger properties and add-on treatments push the figure higher. You can get a free fixed-price estimate through our lawn care services.
2. An annual lawn care plan averages about $395
A full-season lawn care plan averages roughly $395 a year based on quotes from national providers, a benchmark for ongoing fertilization and weed control on a typical yard, per This Old House. Plans scale up with lawn size and the number of treatments.
3. A one-time aeration runs about $175
Beyond mowing, seasonal treatments carry their own costs: a single lawn aeration averages around $175, according to This Old House. Bundling aeration with routine care often prices better than booking it on its own.
4. Standard lawn care service is estimated at $415
Real estate professionals pegged a standard lawn care service at an estimated cost of about $415 in the national Remodeling Impact Report, a useful benchmark for a professionally maintained yard, per NAR and NALP. As stat 18 shows, that modest outlay produced the best resale return of any outdoor project studied.
Source: This Old House.
The industry and market size
5. US landscaping services generate about $176.7 billion in 2026
The landscaping services industry brings in roughly $176.7 billion in revenue in 2026, having grown at about a 3.0% average annual rate over the prior five years, according to IBISWorld. It is one of the largest home-services categories in the country.
6. About 556,000 businesses operate in the space
The landscaping services industry counts roughly 556,000 businesses in the US in 2026, a highly fragmented field where no single firm dominates, according to IBISWorld. That fragmentation is exactly why vetting matters, as our landscaping statistics report details.
7. More than 900,000 landscaping and groundskeeping workers are employed
About 906,099 landscaping and groundskeeping workers made their living in the field as of 2024, earning an average annual wage of roughly $32,498, based on federal data compiled by Data USA. Demand for the work has held steady as more households outsource yard care.
8. Lawns cover about 40 million acres of the US
Satellite analysis estimates that home lawns, parks, and other turf cover roughly 40 million acres nationwide, an area about the size of Wisconsin, according to NASA. That scale is what makes lawn care a coast-to-coast industry rather than a niche service.
9. Turf is the largest irrigated crop in the country
NASA researchers found there are roughly three times more acres of lawn in the US than irrigated corn, making turf grass the single largest irrigated crop by surface area, per NASA. Keeping all of it well watered would take about 200 gallons of water per person per day.
Source: IBISWorld.
Outdoor and landscape water use
10. Outdoor use is more than 30% of household water
Outdoor water use accounts for more than 30% of total household water on average, and can climb to as much as 60% in arid regions of the country, according to EPA WaterSense. Most of that goes to keeping lawns and landscapes green.
11. Landscape irrigation totals nearly 9 billion gallons per day
Nationwide, landscape irrigation is estimated at nearly 9 billion gallons of water per day, roughly one-third of all residential water use, per EPA WaterSense. Efficient watering is one of the biggest levers a homeowner has on a utility bill.
12. As much as 50% of outdoor water is wasted
Up to 50% of the water used outdoors is lost to wind, evaporation, and runoff caused by inefficient irrigation methods and systems, according to EPA WaterSense. A right-sized, well-tuned system keeps that water on the roots where it belongs, which is where our irrigation services help.
13. A neglected irrigation system can waste 25,000 gallons a year
A household with an automatic irrigation system that lacks proper maintenance and operation can waste up to 25,000 gallons of water annually, per EPA WaterSense. Small leaks, misaligned heads, and stuck valves add up fast over a season.
14. A professional audit cuts irrigation use by about 15%
When an irrigation system is professionally installed and audited by WaterSense-certified personnel and then well managed, household irrigation water use can drop by about 15%, saving nearly 7,600 gallons a year, according to EPA WaterSense. That is a direct case for hiring qualified help.
Source: EPA WaterSense.
DIY vs hiring a pro
15. About 22% of lawn owners hire a professional
In a 2025 survey of 803 US lawn owners, about 22% hired a lawn care professional or service for at least some tasks, while the large majority handled some work themselves, according to a 2025 lawn survey. Time, equipment, and expertise are the usual reasons homeowners bring in help. Compare with the broader landscaping statistics for the full picture.
16. Most homeowners spend under $500 a year, but many spend far more
Median annual lawn spending falls in the $250 to $500 range, yet roughly one in six lawn owners spends more than $1,000 a year on their yard, per the same 2025 survey. Spending climbs with lot size, irrigation, and the number of seasonal treatments.
17. Nearly half of owners find lawn care relaxing
About 48% of respondents said they enjoy lawn care as something relaxing, rewarding, or a genuine hobby, according to the 2025 survey. For the rest, outsourcing routine work frees up weekends without giving up a healthy lawn. A full landscaping refresh often pairs well with regular mowing.
Source: 2025 lawn survey.
Curb appeal and ROI
18. Standard lawn care returned 217% of its cost at resale
Standard lawn care service posted a 217% cost recovery, the highest of any outdoor project in the National Association of Realtors and NALP Remodeling Impact Report, meaning sellers recouped more than double what they spent, according to NAR and NALP. Few home investments pay back like a well-kept lawn.
19. Lawn care earned a Joy Score of 9.4 out of 10
Homeowners rated a standard lawn care service a 9.4 out of 10 on the report's Joy Score, reflecting how much satisfaction a healthy yard delivers day to day, per NAR and NALP. The return is emotional as well as financial.
20. Landscape maintenance recovered 104% of its cost
Broader landscape maintenance recovered about 104% of its cost at resale, and an overall landscape upgrade returned about 100%, so both paid for themselves, according to NAR and NALP. Consistent upkeep, not just a one-time push, is what protects that value.
21. Strong curb appeal adds about 7% to sale price
Homes with strong curb appeal, including tidy landscaping and a freshly kept lawn, sell for about 7% more than comparable homes in the same neighborhood, and the premium rose to 10% to 11% during the 2008 downturn, according to research from the University of Texas at Arlington. First impressions carry real dollar value.
Source: NAR and NALP.
What this means for homeowners
- Routine lawn care is affordable relative to its payoff, with mowing at about $42 to $68 a visit and full-service months at $100 to $410, against a resale recovery that topped 200% in the national report.
- Water is the hidden cost. With landscape irrigation near 9 billion gallons a day and up to half of it wasted, an efficient, professionally tuned system protects both the lawn and the utility bill.
- The industry is huge and fragmented, so quality varies widely across some 635,000 businesses. Vetting for licensing and insurance separates reliable pros from the rest.
- Curb appeal is measurable money, adding roughly 7% to sale price, which makes consistent maintenance one of the better returns in home improvement.
- Pro House Maintenance matches you with vetted, licensed and insured pros and provides free fixed-price estimates. Request an estimate when you are ready to green up your yard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does lawn care cost in 2026?
Lawn care services typically cost around $300, most often ranging from about $100 to $500 per job, according to This Old House. A full-season plan averages roughly $395 a year, and a one-time aeration runs about $175. Pro House Maintenance matches you with vetted, licensed and insured pros and gives free fixed-price estimates so you know the number before work begins.
How big is the US lawn care and landscaping industry?
Landscaping services in the US generate about $176.7 billion in revenue in 2026 across roughly 556,000 businesses, per IBISWorld. More than 906,000 landscaping and groundskeeping workers are employed nationwide as of 2024, based on federal data compiled by Data USA. It is a large, fragmented market where no single company dominates.
How much water do lawns and landscapes use?
Outdoor use accounts for more than 30% of household water on average, and as much as 60% in arid regions, per the EPA. Nationwide, landscape irrigation totals nearly 9 billion gallons per day, and as much as 50% of that water is lost to wind, evaporation, and runoff from inefficient systems. A properly installed and maintained irrigation system cuts that waste substantially.
Does lawn care pay off when you sell?
Standard lawn care service recovered an estimated 217% of its cost at resale, the highest return of any outdoor project in the NAR and NALP Remodeling Impact Report, and it earned a Joy Score of 9.4 out of 10. Homes with strong curb appeal sell for about 7% more than comparable homes. Pro House Maintenance provides free fixed-price estimates from vetted pros so you can invest with confidence.
Should I hire a lawn care pro or do it myself?
In a 2025 survey of 803 US lawn owners, about 22% hired a lawn care professional for some tasks while the large majority handled at least some work themselves. Hiring makes sense when time, equipment, irrigation efficiency, or resale value are priorities. Pro House Maintenance connects you with vetted, licensed and insured pros and gives free fixed-price estimates.