Sod installation cost in Jacksonville, FL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,500 sq ft)
- $1,450 – $3,150
- Per sq ft
- $0.95 – $1.90
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −4%
- US $2,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #175
- 1 = most expensive
Jacksonville homeowners pay roughly $1,450 to $3,150 to lay sod at 1,500 sq ft, or $0.95 to $1.90 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Jacksonville is 4% lower. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn a median of $17.94 an hour in the Jacksonville area, 5% below the US median of $18.82.
Estimate your sod installation cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 1,500 sq ft in Jacksonville, FL, standard level
$1,950 to $2,650
About $1.25 to $1.60 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $940 | $1,250 |
| Labor | $920 | $1,200 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $210 |
| Total | $1,950 | $2,650 |
Cost breakdown for 1,500 sq ft in Jacksonville, FL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $720 | $1,100 | $1,450 | 47% |
| Labor | $710 | $1,050 | $1,400 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $150 | $300 | 6% |
| Total | $1,450 | $2,300 | $3,150 | 100% |
Where the Jacksonville price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on landscaping and groundskeeping workers, who do 80% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $17.94 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Jacksonville is 0.95 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 46% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Jacksonville metro is 96.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 1,500 sq ft comes to $1,100, compared with $1,150 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (99.5) and land at $0 to $300.
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Jacksonville is 0.95 times the national level.
For landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011, weighted 80%) the local median is $17.94 an hour, which is 5% below the national $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $17.26 and $21.28 an hour. BLS counts 6,140 of them working in the area, 80.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 61.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $20.90 an hour, 8% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.68 and $23.16 an hour. About 7,150 work in the metro. That is 93.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the landscaping and groundskeeping workers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($21.28 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $160. At the 25th percentile ($17.26) it shrinks by about $35. The total moves by 7.0% or 1.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 765,930 jobs in the Jacksonville area. That makes it the 39th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.49% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 80% | $17.26 | $17.94 | $21.28 | $18.82 | 0.95 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $17.68 | $20.90 | $23.16 | $22.66 | 0.92 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.95 | |||||
How Jacksonville compares
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Jacksonville. Ocala is the lowest at about $2,250 (midpoint, 1,500 sq ft), 75 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville, FLthis page | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | |
| Ocala, FL75 miles | $1,400 – $3,050 | $2,250 | −3% |
| Gainesville, FL75 miles | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | −2% |
| Deltona, FL80 miles | $1,400 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −1% |
| Orlando, FL125 miles | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | −1% |
| Savannah, GA135 miles | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | −2% |
| Florida (statewide) | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,300 | +1% |
| United States | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +4% |
Across 300 US metros, Jacksonville comes in at #175 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $2,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $2,000 (midpoints, 1,500 sq ft). Statewide, Jacksonville is 1% below the Florida figure.
Other Florida metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami, FL | 2,819,940 jobs | $1,500 – $3,350 | $2,400 | +5% |
| Tampa, FL | 1,447,120 jobs | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | level |
| Orlando, FL | 1,411,730 jobs | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | −1% |
| North Port, FL | 339,940 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,300 | level |
| Cape Coral, FL | 304,790 jobs | $1,400 – $3,150 | $2,300 | level |
| Lakeland, FL | 265,280 jobs | $1,400 – $3,050 | $2,250 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like Jacksonville's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Jacksonville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $1,550 – $3,450 | $2,500 | +9% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | −2% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 826,210 jobs | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,450 | +8% |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | +2% |
Planning more than one job in Jacksonville?
Because every project leans on different trades, Jacksonville's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, retaining wall runs −6% and gravel driveway −8%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $560 – $1,950 | −7% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,700 – $9,300 | −7% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,550 – $12,700 | −6% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,350 | −8% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $33,500 – $104,500 | −7% |
When to schedule sod lawn in Jacksonville
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Jacksonville Nas (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through May is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Jacksonville (9 of 12 months). June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Jacksonville gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, August and September (7.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 2.3 and 2.0 inches. The station averages about 97 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 66 | 47 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Feb | 69 | 50 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Mar | 74 | 55 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 81 | 61 | 2.4 | Workable |
| May | 86 | 69 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 74 | 7.3 | Hot |
| Jul | 92 | 76 | 6.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 91 | 76 | 6.3 | Hot |
| Sep | 88 | 74 | 6.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 82 | 66 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 73 | 56 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 68 | 50 | 2.5 | Workable |
Specs and site conditions that change a Jacksonville bid
Old grass removal
Removing an old lawn first adds $0.50-$2.00 per sq ft, and a full remove-and-resod runs $1.50-$4.00 per sq ft (HomeGuide).
Sod type
Sod alone costs $0.30-$0.80 per sq ft, or $130-$360 per pallet; delivery is $50-$250 per load.
Site prep
The cost listed here assumes leveled, cleared ground. Grading and soil amendments are extra.
Cost by quality level and size in Jacksonville
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Jacksonville wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$1,450 to $2,100
Basic grass on cleared, level ground
Standard
$1,950 to $2,650
Better grass type with some grading
Premium
$2,450 to $3,150
Premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small yard (1,000 sq ft) | $950 – $1,450 | $1,350 – $1,850 | $1,700 – $2,200 |
| average yard (1,500 sq ft) | $1,450 – $2,100 | $1,950 – $2,650 | $2,450 – $3,150 |
| large yard (4,000 sq ft) | $3,800 – $5,450 | $5,050 – $6,700 | $6,300 – $7,950 |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $1,950 to $2,650 for Jacksonville, FL is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Jacksonville, FL: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Sod installation in Jacksonville: your questions
+How much does it cost to lay sod in Jacksonville?
For 1,500 sq ft, expect $1,450 to $3,150 in the Jacksonville area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,950 to $2,650. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for sod lawn in Jacksonville?
About $0.95 to $1.90 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $300 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $1 to $2.
+Is sod lawn cheaper in Jacksonville or Ocala?
Ocala is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 1,500 sq ft there is $2,250, which is 3% less than Jacksonville ($2,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Jacksonville?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $1,050 out of $2,300. Materials are 47% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 47%.
+What would average yard (1,500 sq ft) cost in Jacksonville?
$1,450 to $3,150. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does sod lawn need a permit in Jacksonville?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $300 for fees in the Jacksonville area (our national range of $0 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Jacksonville expensive for sod lawn compared with the rest of Florida?
Jacksonville is 1% below the Florida statewide estimate ($2,300 at the midpoint). We cover 19 metros in Florida; see the state page to compare them.
+What do landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn in Jacksonville?
The BLS median is $17.94 an hour in the Jacksonville area, compared with $18.82 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.26 to $21.28.
+What do basic and premium sod lawn work cost in Jacksonville?
For 1,500 sq ft, basic work runs $1,450 to $2,100 and premium work $2,450 to $3,150. Basic means: basic grass on cleared, level ground. Premium means: premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes.
+When is the best time to lay sod in Jacksonville?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. February and November are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Sod installation near Jacksonville
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.