Sod installation cost in Gulfport, MS
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,500 sq ft)
- $1,300 – $2,900
- Per sq ft
- $0.90 – $1.75
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −12%
- US $2,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #289
- 1 = most expensive
Gulfport homeowners pay roughly $1,300 to $2,900 to lay sod at 1,500 sq ft, or $0.90 to $1.75 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Gulfport is 12% lower. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn a median of $15.00 an hour in the Gulfport area, 20% below the US median of $18.82.
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Estimated cost for 1,500 sq ft in Gulfport, MS, standard level
$1,800 to $2,450
About $1.15 to $1.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 43% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $940 | $1,250 |
| Labor | $780 | $1,000 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $190 |
| Total | $1,800 | $2,450 |
Cost breakdown for 1,500 sq ft in Gulfport, MS
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $720 | $1,100 | $1,450 | 51% |
| Labor | $600 | $900 | $1,200 | 43% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $140 | $270 | 6% |
| Total | $1,300 | $2,100 | $2,900 | 100% |
What is behind the Gulfport number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: landscaping and groundskeeping workers at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Gulfport wages are 0.80 times the national level. Labor makes up about 43% of the midpoint estimate (47% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Gulfport 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 (90.0) and land at $0 to $270.
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 Gulfport is 0.80 times the national level.
For landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011, weighted 80%) the local median is $15.00 an hour, which is 20% below the national $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $13.98 and $17.99 an hour. BLS counts 730 of them working in the area, 46.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 61.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $18.69 an hour, 18% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.86 and $22.67 an hour. About 1,090 work in the metro. That is 68.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the landscaping and groundskeeping workers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($17.99 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $140. At the 25th percentile ($13.98) it shrinks by about $50. The total moves by 6.7% or 2.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 158,310 jobs in the Gulfport-Biloxi area. That makes it the 149th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.10% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 80% | $13.98 | $15.00 | $17.99 | $18.82 | 0.80 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $16.86 | $18.69 | $22.67 | $22.66 | 0.82 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.80 | |||||
When to schedule sod lawn in Gulfport
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Gulfport - Biloxi Ap (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
September through June is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Gulfport (10 of 12 months). July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Gulfport gets about 63 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (7.2 inches in July). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 3.7 and 4.0 inches. The station averages about 69 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 | 61 | 42 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Feb | 65 | 46 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Mar | 70 | 52 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Apr | 77 | 58 | 5.5 | Workable |
| May | 84 | 66 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 73 | 6.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 75 | 7.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 91 | 75 | 6.5 | Hot |
| Sep | 88 | 71 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 80 | 60 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 70 | 49 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 64 | 45 | 4.5 | Workable |
Specs and site conditions that change a Gulfport bid
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).
Is Gulfport cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Gulfport. Hattiesburg is the lowest at about $2,050 (midpoint, 1,500 sq ft), 50 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport, MSthis page | $1,300 – $2,900 | $2,100 | |
| Mobile, AL50 miles | $1,400 – $3,050 | $2,200 | +5% |
| Hattiesburg, MS50 miles | $1,300 – $2,850 | $2,050 | −3% |
| Slidell, LA55 miles | $1,400 – $3,050 | $2,200 | +4% |
| Daphne, AL75 miles | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | +6% |
| New Orleans, LA90 miles | $1,350 – $3,000 | $2,200 | +4% |
| Mississippi (statewide) | $1,350 – $2,900 | $2,100 | level |
| United States | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +13% |
Across 300 US metros, Gulfport comes in at #289 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, Gulfport is 0% above the Mississippi figure.
Other Mississippi metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson, MS | 270,730 jobs | $1,300 – $2,900 | $2,100 | −1% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 62,230 jobs | $1,300 – $2,850 | $2,050 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like Gulfport's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Gulfport against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youngstown, OH | 160,160 jobs | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | +6% |
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $1,600 – $3,550 | $2,550 | +21% |
| Waterbury, CT | 160,710 jobs | $1,600 – $3,500 | $2,550 | +20% |
| Brownsville, TX | 157,450 jobs | $1,250 – $2,750 | $2,000 | −6% |
Related projects, priced for Gulfport
Because every project leans on different trades, Gulfport's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, sprinkler system runs −8% and retaining wall −11%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $540 – $1,850 | −11% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,700 – $9,250 | −8% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,100 – $12,100 | −11% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,200 – $9,100 | −11% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $32,200 – $101,000 | −11% |
Gulfport: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Gulfport 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
$1,300 to $1,950
Basic grass on cleared, level ground
Standard
$1,800 to $2,450
Better grass type with some grading
Premium
$2,300 to $2,900
Premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small yard (1,000 sq ft) | $880 – $1,350 | $1,250 – $1,700 | $1,550 – $2,050 |
| average yard (1,500 sq ft) | $1,300 – $1,950 | $1,800 – $2,450 | $2,300 – $2,900 |
| large yard (4,000 sq ft) | $3,550 – $5,050 | $4,650 – $6,200 | $5,800 – $7,350 |
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 $1,800 to $2,450 for Gulfport, MS is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Gulfport, MS: 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 Gulfport: your questions
+How much does it cost to lay sod in Gulfport?
For 1,500 sq ft, expect $1,300 to $2,900 in the Gulfport area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,800 to $2,450. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for sod lawn in Gulfport?
About $0.90 to $1.75 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $270 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $1 to $2.
+Is sod lawn cheaper in Gulfport or Mobile?
Mobile is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 1,500 sq ft there is $2,200, which is 5% more than Gulfport ($2,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Gulfport?
About 43% at the midpoint, or $900 out of $2,100. Materials are 51% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 47%.
+What would average yard (1,500 sq ft) cost in Gulfport?
$1,300 to $2,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does sod lawn need a permit in Gulfport?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $270 for fees in the Gulfport area (our national range of $0 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Gulfport expensive for sod lawn compared with the rest of Mississippi?
Gulfport is 0% above the Mississippi statewide estimate ($2,100 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Mississippi; see the state page to compare them.
+What do landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn in Gulfport?
The BLS median is $15.00 an hour in the Gulfport area, compared with $18.82 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $13.98 to $17.99.
+What do basic and premium sod lawn work cost in Gulfport?
For 1,500 sq ft, basic work runs $1,300 to $1,950 and premium work $2,300 to $2,900. 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 Gulfport?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through June. October 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 Gulfport
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.