Sod installation cost in Springfield, IL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,500 sq ft)
- $1,500 – $3,250
- Per sq ft
- $1 – $2
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −2%
- US $2,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #118
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a new sod lawn in the Springfield area: $1,500 to $3,250 for 1,500 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint lands close to the US figure. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.6).
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Estimated cost for 1,500 sq ft in Springfield, IL, standard level
$2,000 to $2,700
About $1.30 to $1.70 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $910 | $1,200 |
| Labor | $1,000 | $1,300 |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $190 |
| Total | $2,000 | $2,700 |
Cost breakdown for 1,500 sq ft in Springfield, IL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $700 | $1,050 | $1,400 | 45% |
| Labor | $780 | $1,150 | $1,550 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $140 | $280 | 6% |
| Total | $1,500 | $2,350 | $3,250 | 100% |
Where the Springfield price comes from
Labor is 49% of the midpoint bill here, against 47% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is landscaping and groundskeeping workers (80%), construction laborers (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Springfield the blended ratio comes out at 1.04.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Springfield is at 93.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,150 nationally becomes $1,050 here (midpoint, 1,500 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 92.7: $0 to $280.
Springfield against nearby metros and the rest of Illinois
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Springfield. Davenport is the lowest at about $2,350 (midpoint, 1,500 sq ft), 115 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield, ILthis page | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,350 | |
| Bloomington, IL65 miles | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,350 | level |
| Peoria, IL65 miles | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | −1% |
| Champaign, IL80 miles | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,350 | level |
| St. Louis, MO85 miles | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,450 | +5% |
| Davenport, IA115 miles | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | −2% |
| Illinois (statewide) | $1,650 – $3,600 | $2,600 | +11% |
| United States | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Springfield ranks #118 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Springfield is 10% below the Illinois figure.
Elsewhere in Illinois
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | 4,513,280 jobs | $1,700 – $3,700 | $2,700 | +14% |
| Peoria, IL | 166,020 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | −1% |
| Rockford, IL | 137,650 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | −1% |
| Champaign, IL | 105,500 jobs | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,350 | level |
| Bloomington, IL | 88,110 jobs | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,350 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Springfield against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles, LA | 101,690 jobs | $1,350 – $3,000 | $2,200 | −8% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 98,500 jobs | $1,700 – $3,700 | $2,700 | +14% |
| Lafayette, IN | 102,200 jobs | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −2% |
| Slidell, LA | 98,240 jobs | $1,400 – $3,050 | $2,200 | −7% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: sod installation pricing in Springfield
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Springfield. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small yard (1,000 sq ft) to large yard (4,000 sq ft).
Basic
$1,500 to $2,200
Basic grass on cleared, level ground
Standard
$2,000 to $2,700
Better grass type with some grading
Premium
$2,550 to $3,250
Premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small yard (1,000 sq ft) | $990 – $1,500 | $1,350 – $1,850 | $1,750 – $2,250 |
| average yard (1,500 sq ft) | $1,500 – $2,200 | $2,000 – $2,700 | $2,550 – $3,250 |
| large yard (4,000 sq ft) | $3,950 – $5,650 | $5,200 – $6,900 | $6,500 – $8,200 |
Who does the work: Springfield trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Springfield the blend is 1.04.
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011), 80% of the weighting: a median of $18.31 an hour, in line with the US median of $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $17.06 and $23.08 an hour. About 680 work in the metro. That is 67.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 61.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $29.52 an hour, which is 30% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.56 and $35.79 an hour. BLS counts 510 of them working in the area, 50.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (landscaping and groundskeeping workers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $230 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $60. That is a swing of roughly 2.5% to 9.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Springfield has 100,810 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 203rd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 80% | $17.06 | $18.31 | $23.08 | $18.82 | 0.97 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.56 | $29.52 | $35.79 | $22.66 | 1.30 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.04 | |||||
The best months for sod lawn in Springfield
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Springfield #2 (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For digging, grading and setting material in the ground, the comfortable months in Springfield are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March and December the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 114 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Springfield gets about 40 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and July (5.1 inches in May). Inside the workable window, August and September are the driest, at 2.9 and 3.1 inches. The station averages about 23 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36 | 19 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 41 | 22 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Mar | 52 | 31 | 3.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 65 | 41 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 74 | 53 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 83 | 63 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 66 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 64 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Sep | 78 | 56 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 44 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 53 | 33 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 41 | 24 | 2.3 | Cold |
Why two Springfield quotes can differ
Site prep
The cost listed here assumes leveled, cleared ground. Grading and soil amendments are extra.
Permit
Sodding permits cost $40-$300 where required, mostly for large lawns or those next to a public road.
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).
Planning more than one job in Springfield?
Jobs that often go together with sod lawn are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Springfield wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, inground pool comes out highest (+20%) and French drain lowest (+14%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $690 – $2,400 | +14% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,750 – $11,900 | +19% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,700 – $15,200 | +16% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $3,000 – $12,100 | +19% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $43,300 – $135,000 | +20% |
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 $2,000 to $2,700 for Springfield, IL is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Springfield, IL: 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 Springfield: your questions
+How much does it cost to lay sod in Springfield?
For 1,500 sq ft, expect $1,500 to $3,250 in the Springfield area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,000 to $2,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for sod lawn in Springfield?
About $1 to $2 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $280 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $1 to $2.
+Is sod lawn cheaper in Springfield or Bloomington?
Bloomington is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 1,500 sq ft there is $2,350, which is 0% less than Springfield ($2,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Springfield?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $1,150 out of $2,350. Materials are 45% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 47%.
+What would average yard (1,500 sq ft) cost in Springfield?
$1,500 to $3,250. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does sod lawn need a permit in Springfield?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $280 for fees in the Springfield area (our national range of $0 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Springfield expensive for sod lawn compared with the rest of Illinois?
Springfield is 10% below the Illinois statewide estimate ($2,600 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Illinois; see the state page to compare them.
+What do landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn in Springfield?
The BLS median is $18.31 an hour in the Springfield area, compared with $18.82 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.06 to $23.08.
+What do basic and premium sod lawn work cost in Springfield?
For 1,500 sq ft, basic work runs $1,500 to $2,200 and premium work $2,550 to $3,250. 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 Springfield?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. August and September 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 Springfield
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.