Sod installation cost in Cleveland, OH
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,500 sq ft)
- $1,450 – $3,200
- Per sq ft
- $1 – $1.95
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −2%
- US $2,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #128
- 1 = most expensive
Cleveland homeowners pay roughly $1,450 to $3,200 to lay sod at 1,500 sq ft, or $1 to $1.95 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Cleveland is almost level. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 93.6).
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Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 1,500 sq ft in Cleveland, OH, standard level
$2,000 to $2,700
About $1.25 to $1.65 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 | $200 |
| Total | $2,000 | $2,700 |
Cost breakdown for 1,500 sq ft in Cleveland, OH
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $700 | $1,050 | $1,400 | 45% |
| Labor | $770 | $1,150 | $1,550 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $140 | $280 | 6% |
| Total | $1,450 | $2,350 | $3,200 | 100% |
Why Cleveland prices look the way they do
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: landscaping and groundskeeping workers at 80%, construction laborers at 20%. Weighted together, Cleveland wages are 1.02 times the national level. Labor makes up about 49% of the midpoint estimate (47% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Cleveland metro is 93.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 1,500 sq ft comes to $1,050, compared with $1,150 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (93.9) and land at $0 to $280.
When to schedule sod lawn in Cleveland
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Cleveland Burke Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through November is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Cleveland (8 of 12 months). 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 91 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Cleveland gets about 33 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, July and August (3.7 inches in July). Inside the workable window, June and November are the driest, at 2.8 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 9 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 | 35 | 24 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 25 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 45 | 31 | 2.4 | Cold |
| Apr | 57 | 41 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 68 | 53 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 63 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 68 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 67 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 60 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 49 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 38 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 40 | 30 | 2.0 | Cold |
Pick a size, pick a tier: sod installation pricing in Cleveland
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Cleveland 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 $2,150
Basic grass on cleared, level ground
Standard
$2,000 to $2,700
Better grass type with some grading
Premium
$2,500 to $3,200
Premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small yard (1,000 sq ft) | $980 – $1,500 | $1,350 – $1,850 | $1,750 – $2,250 |
| average yard (1,500 sq ft) | $1,450 – $2,150 | $2,000 – $2,700 | $2,500 – $3,200 |
| large yard (4,000 sq ft) | $3,900 – $5,600 | $5,200 – $6,850 | $6,450 – $8,100 |
Sod installation: what moves the price in Cleveland
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.
Permit
Sodding permits cost $40-$300 where required, mostly for large lawns or those next to a public road.
What nearby projects cost in Cleveland
Because every project leans on different trades, Cleveland's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +12% and sprinkler system +3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $670 – $2,350 | +12% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,150 – $10,300 | +3% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,850 – $14,200 | +7% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,700 – $10,900 | +7% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $38,700 – $121,000 | +7% |
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 Cleveland is 1.02 times the national level.
For landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011, weighted 80%) the local median is $18.38 an hour, which is in line with the national $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $17.76 and $22.14 an hour. BLS counts 6,910 of them working in the area, 67.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 61.3), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $27.49 an hour, 21% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.57 and $34.86 an hour. About 5,660 work in the metro. That is 54.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer 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 ($22.14 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $180. At the 25th percentile ($17.76) it shrinks by about $30. The total moves by 7.7% or 1.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,031,130 jobs in the Cleveland area. That makes it the 36th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.66% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 80% | $17.76 | $18.38 | $22.14 | $18.82 | 0.98 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.57 | $27.49 | $34.86 | $22.66 | 1.21 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.02 | |||||
Is Cleveland cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 1,500 sq ft range from $2,250 to $2,400 across Cleveland and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OHthis page | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | |
| Akron, OH35 miles | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | level |
| Youngstown, OH45 miles | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | −4% |
| Canton, OH65 miles | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −3% |
| Erie, PA75 miles | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | −1% |
| Pittsburgh, PA115 miles | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,400 | +2% |
| Ohio (statewide) | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | level |
| United States | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +2% |
Across 300 US metros, Cleveland comes in at #128 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, Cleveland is 0% above the Ohio figure.
Other Ohio metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | 1,105,580 jobs | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,400 | +2% |
| Cincinnati, OH | 1,101,030 jobs | $1,450 – $3,250 | $2,350 | level |
| Dayton, OH | 372,660 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,300 | −1% |
| Akron, OH | 319,560 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | level |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −2% |
| Canton, OH | 163,080 jobs | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like Cleveland's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Cleveland against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $1,650 – $3,650 | $2,650 | +14% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 826,210 jobs | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,450 | +5% |
| Kansas City, MO | 1,096,110 jobs | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +2% |
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $1,550 – $3,450 | $2,500 | +6% |
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 Cleveland, OH is attached.
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Multi-page report for Cleveland, OH: 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 Cleveland: your questions
+How much does it cost to lay sod in Cleveland?
For 1,500 sq ft, expect $1,450 to $3,200 in the Cleveland 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 Cleveland?
About $1 to $1.95 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 Cleveland or Akron?
Akron is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 1,500 sq ft there is $2,350, which is 0% less than Cleveland ($2,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Cleveland?
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 Cleveland?
$1,450 to $3,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does sod lawn need a permit in Cleveland?
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 Cleveland area (our national range of $0 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Cleveland expensive for sod lawn compared with the rest of Ohio?
Cleveland is 0% above the Ohio statewide estimate ($2,350 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Ohio; see the state page to compare them.
+What do landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn in Cleveland?
The BLS median is $18.38 an hour in the Cleveland area, compared with $18.82 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.76 to $22.14.
+What do basic and premium sod lawn work cost in Cleveland?
For 1,500 sq ft, basic work runs $1,450 to $2,150 and premium work $2,500 to $3,200. 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 Cleveland?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. June 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 Cleveland
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.