Lawn Care · Costs
A typical mow costs $44 to $71. The season length decides the real bill.
Most homeowners pay $44 to $71 per visit for lawn mowing, according to LawnStarter’s October 2026 price guide, and $41 to $61 on a lawn of a quarter acre or less. Because a Southern mowing season runs nearly twice as many weeks as a Northern one, the same weekly price can add up to anywhere from about $1,150 to over $3,000 a year.
PER MOW, MOST LAWNS
$44–$71
UP TO 1/4 ACRE
$41–$61 per mow
HOURLY RATE
$32–$68
MOWING SEASON
About 24 to 46 weeks by region
Lawn mowing prices by yard size
LawnStarter’s lawn mowing price guide, updated October 6, 2026, breaks per-visit prices out by lot size. Price rises with size, but not in proportion: going from a quarter acre to half an acre adds about $8 per visit at both ends of the range.
| Lawn size | Price per mow (LawnStarter, Oct 2026) |
|---|---|
| Up to 1/4 acre | $41–$61 |
| 1/4 to 1/2 acre | $49–$69 |
| 1/2 to 1 acre | $59–$114 |
| 1 to 2 acres | $99–$264 |
| Over 2 acres | $278–$449 |
A second estimate runs higher. HomeAdvisor’s lawn care and mowing cost guide, updated June 17, 2026, gives $50 to $205 per mowing visit, $35 to $70 an hour for routine work, and $50 to $200 per acre. Its range is wider because it folds in bigger properties and crews that edge, trim and blow on every visit. Both guides quote $0.01 to $0.06 per square foot, a rate that only really matters on large lots; LawnStarter notes an average minimum charge of about $30 for lawns under 5,000 sq ft.
What a season costs where you live
Per-visit price varies only a few dollars by region. Season length varies a lot. LawnStarter’s regional figures for weekly service show how that plays out:
| Region | Weeks | Per weekly mow | Season total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | ~24 | $48–$75 | $1,152–$1,800 |
| Midwest | ~26 | $47–$67 | $1,222–$1,742 |
| West/Northwest | ~34 | $43–$69 | $1,462–$2,346 |
| Southeast | ~45 | $44–$68 | $1,980–$3,060 |
| Southwest | ~46 | $41–$62 | $1,886–$2,852 |
Worked example: a quarter-acre lawn in the Midwest
Take a lawn on a lot of a quarter acre or less, priced at LawnStarter’s $41 to $61 per mow, over a 26-week Midwest season.
| Schedule | Math | Season cost |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly, 26 mows | 26 × $41 to 26 × $61 | $1,066–$1,586 |
| Every other week, 13 mows | 13 × $41 to 13 × $61 | $533–$793, before any long-grass surcharge |
| Weekly, plus one fall leaf removal | $1,066 + $300 to $1,586 + $600 (leaf removal from HomeAdvisor) | $1,366–$2,186 |
| Hourly check on one mow | 1 hour at $32 to $68 (LawnStarter) | $32–$68 per visit |
The weekly result sits just under LawnStarter’s own Midwest season estimate of $1,222 to $1,742, which is based on regional prices for all lawn sizes. Every-other-week looks like half the cost, but cool-season grass in a wet spring can easily outgrow a two-week interval, and LawnStarter says most companies add a long-grass fee once grass passes 6 to 12 inches.
What raises or lowers a mowing quote
| Factor | Effect on price | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Grass length | Long-grass fee past 6 to 12 inches (LawnStarter) | What the first cut of the season costs if it’s overgrown |
| Frequency and commitment | Recurring plans can lower the per-visit price (LawnStarter) | The per-cut price for weekly vs one-off service |
| Shape, slope and obstacles | More trimming and slower mowing; LawnStarter lists shape and accessibility as price factors | Whether beds, fences and a steep bank are priced in |
| What’s included | Blowing and edging are usually in; clipping removal may not be (LawnStarter) | Mulch or bag, and whether bagging costs extra |
| Seasonal extras | Leaf removal $300–$600; spring or fall cleanup $190–$1,000 (HomeAdvisor) | Whether cleanups are in the contract or quoted separately |
| Small lot | Average minimum about $30 under 5,000 sq ft (LawnStarter) | The minimum charge, not the per-foot rate |
One thing no price guide captures is cutting height. A crew that scalps the lawn to stretch the interval between visits creates the weed, drought and thinning problems you then pay to fix. Put the height in the agreement in inches; the reasoning is in the six rules of lawn mowing, and grass clippings explains why mulching beats paying to bag.
Slope is where mowing stops being a DIY job.
On a flat quarter acre, mowing it yourself is mostly a question of time. A steep bank is different. Every riding mower has a maximum safe slope in its manual, it’s lower than most people assume, and rollovers are the serious injuries in lawn work. A wet slope behaves like a steeper one. If part of your lawn sits above a retaining wall, a pond edge or a road, or you’d have to check the manual to know whether your machine is rated for it, that section is worth paying for even if you mow the rest.
For that slope, or a season you can’t give the lawn, LawnPhix’s lawn mowing services page connects you with a lawn care company serving your area.
Lawn mowing price FAQs
How much does lawn mowing cost per visit?
LawnStarter (October 2026) puts most homeowners at $44 to $71, averaging $57. HomeAdvisor (June 2026) gives a wider $50 to $205 range that includes larger properties.
How much does it cost to mow an acre?
LawnStarter lists $59 to $114 for half an acre to an acre, and $99 to $264 for one to two acres. HomeAdvisor’s per-acre figure is $50 to $200.
How do I estimate mowing cost for my yard?
Find your size band in the table, multiply the per-mow range by the number of mows in your season, then add any cleanups. Measure the lawn with the lawn size calculator if you’re unsure of the band.
Is biweekly mowing cheaper?
Per season, usually, because there are half as many visits. Per visit it can cost more if the grass gets long enough to trigger a long-grass fee, and cutting off more than a third of the blade at once stresses the lawn.
Does a mowing price include edging and trimming?
Usually blowing and perimeter edging are included, per LawnStarter; bagging clippings often is not. Get it in writing.
Related guides
Sources: LawnStarter: How Much Does Lawn Mowing Cost? (updated Oct 6, 2026) · HomeAdvisor: Lawn Care and Mowing Cost (updated Jun 17, 2026)
