Written by
Sarah Noel
Fact-checked by
Tom Grupa
Lawn mowing cost
The average cost of lawn mowing is $30 to $85 per visit for a ⅛ to ¼ acre yard or $60 to $150 per acre. Lawn mowing services charge $40 to $80 per hour to cut grass. A one-time mow or cutting an overgrown lawn costs $70 to $150. Annual lawn mowing prices are $900 to $2,000.
| Yard size | Weekly | Every two weeks | Every four weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 acre | $30 – $40 | $40 – $50 | $50 – $60 |
| 1/4 acre | $45 – $65 | $60 – $85 | $70 – $100 |
| 1/2 acre | $50 – $75 | $65 – $100 | $80 – $120 |
| 3/4 acre | $55 – $80 | $70 – $120 | $85 – $150 |
| 1 acre | $60 – $100 | $80 – $150 | $95 – $180 |
| 2 acres | $100 – $200 | $130 – $260 | $160 – $310 |
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Average lawn mowing cost calculator
The following table shows the average prices for mowing a quarter-acre lawn regularly:
| National average cost | $50 |
| Minimum cost | $20 |
| Maximum cost | $150 |
| Average range | $30 to $85 |
*Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Cost to mow a lawn per acre, hour, or one-time visit
The average cost to mow a ⅛ to ¼ acre lawn is $30 to $85 per visit or $900 to $2,000 per year for 25 to 35 visits total. Lawn care companies base their pricing on the yard size and mowing frequency.
| Charge type | Average cost per visit |
|---|---|
| Per visit (recurring) | $30 – $85 |
| Per visit (one-time or on-call basis) | $50 – $100 |
| Per hour | $40 – $80 |
| Per acre | $60 – $150 |
| Overgrown lawn | $70 – $150 |
| Annual contract | $900 – $2,000 |
Lawn mowing rates per hour
Lawn mowing rates are $40 to $80 per hour, depending on the location and difficulty level. Contractors typically price on-call mowing, one-time jobs, smaller yards, and properties with many obstacles by the hour.
Lawn mowing prices per acre
Lawn mowing costs $60 to $100 per acre for weekly service and $80 to $150 per acre for bi-weekly service. Prices vary according to the property size, obstacles, and the mower size.
| Acres | Weekly | Every two weeks | Every four weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 acre | $60 – $100 | $80 – $150 | $95 – $180 |
| 2 acres | $100 – $200 | $130 – $260 | $160 – $310 |
| 3 acres | $125 – $300 | $160 – $390 | $190 – $470 |
| 4 acres | $150 – $400 | $200 – $520 | $240 – $620 |
| 5 acres | $200 – $450 | $260 – $590 | $310 – $710 |
| 10 acres | $350 – $800 | $450 – $1,000 | $550 – $1,200 |
Price to mow an overgrown lawn
The average cost to mow an overgrown lawn is $70 to $150. Mowing an overgrown lawn costs 1.5 to 3.0 times the regular rate, depending on the grass height. Mowing tall grass takes extra passes with caution to avoid hitting hidden debris.
| Grass height | Average cost per service |
|---|---|
| Grass shorter than 6” | $45 – $85 |
| Grass taller than 6” | $70 – $150 |
*Based on an average 10,000 SF yard.
Annual lawn mowing cost
Annual lawn mowing costs $900 to $2,000 per year on average for a ¼ acre yard. Annual mowing packages typically include 25 to 35 visits per season, depending on the climate and site condition. Costs per mow are cheaper with yearly contracts.
Charges to cut grass and maintain a yard
Full-service lawn care costs $200 to $400 per month on average for weekly or biweekly mowing, and trimming, weeding, fertilizing, aeration, overseeding, and spring and fall cleanups when required. Landscaping companies offer weekly, monthly, and yearly contracts.
| Frequency | Full-service lawn care cost |
|---|---|
| Hourly | $40 – $80 |
| Weekly service | $65 – $100 |
| Monthly service | $200 – $400 |
| Annual service | $2,000 – $4,000 |
*Prices include mowing and complete lawn maintenance.
One-time visit vs. contract – Single visits cost 50% more per visit than weekly mowing on an annual mowing contract.
Mower size and type – Larger riding mowers cover more area faster, which lowers labor costs.
Lawn condition – Weed-infested lawns also benefit from weed control, aeration, or fertilizer treatments that cost extra.
Grass type – Fast-growing grass varieties like Bermuda grass and ryegrass need more frequent mowing. Thicker grass is also more labor-intensive.
Grass length – Higher fees apply for mowing grass more than 6 inches tall.
Accessibility – Lawn features such as hills, trees, fences, garden beds, and boulders increase labor rates and require extra edging.
Service packages – Plans with multiple services reduce the cost of each service individually.
Cleanup services – Bagging grass clippings and disposing of them costs extra but prevents thatch from building up.
Travel expenses – Extra charges apply for yards outside of normal service areas or haul large equipment.
Lawn care maintenance costs
Additional lawn care maintenance costs may include:
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| Yard maintenance type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Cost to fertilize a lawn | $65 – $100 per treatment |
| Lawn aeration cost | $75 – $250 per visit |
| Weed control cost | $50 – $125 per treatment |
| Leaf removal cost | $100 – $300 per visit |
| Yard clean-up cost | $125 – $400 per visit |
| Winterize sprinkler system cost | $50 – $150 per visit |
| Gardener cost | $35 – $65 per hour |
| Lawn edging | $0.50 – $1.00 per linear foot |
| Cost to overseed or reseedalawn | $0.04 – $0.18 per square foot |
| Dethatchingcost | $75 – $300 per average lawn |
| Pest control prices | $250 – $400 per treatment |
| Tree trimming cost | $200 – $900 per tree |
| Shrub and bush trimming cost | $5 – $20 per bush |
| Hedge trimming cost | $30 – $60 per 10’ length |
*Prices based on an average lawn size of 5,000 to 10,000 square feet.
DIY vs. cost to pay someone to mow your lawn
Lawn mower prices are $100 to $500 to buy a push mower or $1,800 to $5,000 to purchase a riding lawn mower. Comparatively, paying someone to mow your lawn costs $45 to $85 per service on average or $900 to $2,000 annually.
| Equipment and storage | Average price | Lifespan (years) |
|---|---|---|
| Push mower | $100 – $500 | 8 – 10 |
| Riding mower | $1,800 – $5,000 | 10 – 15 |
| String trimmer / weed eater | $50 – $300 | 4 – 10 |
| Leaf blower | $50 – $350 | 5 – 10 |
| Tool shed | $200 – $2,500 | 5 – 15 |
DIY mowing pros and cons
Buying lawn-care equipment costs less over time but requires a lot of labor.
Mowers need annual maintenance and new batteries every 3 to 5 years if battery powered.
Purchased equipment requires storage space.
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Commercial mowing rates
Commercial mowing rates are $25 to $150 per acre on average or $50 to $80 per hour per worker, depending on the location and equipment. Discounts are typically available on seasonal contracts for large lots.
Lawn mowing FAQs
How often should you mow your lawn?
You should mow your lawn weekly or biweekly during peak growing season. Stop mowing for the season when the ground frosts and temperatures stay below 45°F to 50°F. Mowers should maintain a grass height of 2.5 to 3.5 inches to promote grass health.
How long does it take to mow a lawn?
Mowing an average size quarter-acre lawn takes 45 minutes to an hour with a push mower. Mowing one acre takes 20 to 60 minutes with a riding lawn mower, according to the site conditions and mower size.
Should you mow before lawn treatment, aerating, or fertilizing?
You should always mow before a lawn treatment, aerating, or fertilizing. Mowing first improves access to the soil, but mowing afterward reduces the treatment benefits.
Exception: Do not mow for 3 to 5 days before and after post-emergent herbicidal treatments.
Getting quotes and estimates from lawn mowing services
Before hiring lawn care services, be sure to:
Get 3 or more estimates to compare prices and services.
Make sure the company has a business license, insurance, and surety bond.
Check for landscaping memberships or certifications the company has that increase credibility.
Read website reviews on Google and HomeGuide.
Be skeptical of low bids that may indicate low-quality work.
Review the company’s portfolio or photos of earlier work.
Get a copy of the detailed estimate, warranty, and contract.
Ask for an explanation of any variable costs.
Don’t pay in full before the company finishes mowing.
Questions to ask
How many years have you been mowing lawns?
Can I see a list of references?
Will you inspect my lawn before I sign a service agreement?
What does your mowing service include?
How much is your minimum mowing cost?
Will you bag grass clippings, and how much more would that cost?
Do you offer any discounted mowing packages?
How often do you recommend mowing my type of grass?
Which grass-height settings do you typically use?
Do you use subcontractors, and how should I contact the manager?
How big is the crew, and will the same people come on each visit?
Does your mowing frequency change throughout the year?
How does the price of gas affect my regular mowing rates?
When will you reschedule if it rains?
How far in advance should I call to cancel scheduled mows?
Am I in your regular service area, or will you charge extra travel fees?
Do you offer same-day service?
Which lawn treatments would best help this lawn type?
Do you use any chemicals in your landscaping services?
