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For Homeowners October 8, 2026 6 min read

How much does artificial turf cost? Priced on three yard sizes, against real sod

Installed artificial turf prices for a 500, 1,000 and 2,000 sq ft yard in standard, pet-friendly and sports grades from our pricing engine, the same yards in natural sod, and how to measure your own yard from satellite.

Artificial turf is priced by the square foot, and most of the cost is not the turf: it is digging out the old lawn, building a compacted base, and the edging and infill. Here are installed prices for three yard sizes in three grades, against the same yards in natural sod, from the pricing engine our quote tool uses.

Installed turf prices by yard

Type500 sq ft1,000 sq ft2,000 sq ft
Standard turf$6,172$11,995$23,639
Pet-friendly turf$8,760$17,170$33,990
Sports and putting green$11,995$23,639$46,928

A typical 1,000 sq ft back yard works out at about $12 per sq ft in standard turf, base preparation included. Small yards cost more per square foot because the setup costs the same.

The same yards in sod

Type500 sq ft1,000 sq ft2,000 sq ft
Standard sod$1,206$2,213$4,225
Sod + soil preparation$1,640$3,081$5,961
Sod + grading + irrigation-ready$2,087$3,974$7,747

Sod is several times cheaper to put down. Turf earns the difference back over its life in water, mowing, fertiliser and reseeding — most clearly in hot, dry places with watering restrictions, on shaded patches where grass will not grow, and in dog runs.

Which grade

  • Standard — a natural-looking pile for front yards and low traffic.
  • Pet-friendly — drains fast, with antimicrobial infill. The one to choose if dogs use the yard.
  • Sports and putting green — dense, short pile on a precise base.

Measure your yard from satellite

Start the turf quote: enter your address and the tool outlines your lot from the building footprint and the streets, splits front and back yard, and shows how green the yard looks from above. Adjust the edges, choose a grade, and the price updates. It is an estimate you check, not a survey — but it is a real number before anyone visits.

In Austin, 4,331 homes across our four live ZIPs have yards among the least green in their ZIP in aerial imagery — the yards where turf makes the most sense.
Price turf for your own yard in a minute — open the satellite quote.

Common questions

How much does artificial turf cost?

About $11,995 for 1,000 sq ft in standard turf, $17,170 pet-friendly, $23,639 sports grade.

Is artificial turf cheaper than sod?

Not up front — the same yard is $2,213 in sod; turf pays back in water and upkeep.

How do I measure my yard for turf?

Enter your address in the satellite quote; it outlines the yard and you adjust it.

Written by SatelliteQuotes Editorial
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