Sod installation cost in Youngstown, OH
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,500 sq ft)
- $1,400 – $3,100
- Per sq ft
- $0.95 – $1.90
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −7%
- US $2,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #239
- 1 = most expensive
A new sod lawn in Youngstown, OH usually costs $1,400 to $3,100 for 1,500 sq ft. That works out to about $0.95 to $1.90 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $160 less. 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 Youngstown, OH, standard level
$1,900 to $2,600
About $1.20 to $1.60 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $910 | $1,200 |
| Labor | $920 | $1,200 |
| Permits and fees | $80 | $180 |
| Total | $1,900 | $2,600 |
Cost breakdown for 1,500 sq ft in Youngstown, OH
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $700 | $1,050 | $1,400 | 47% |
| Labor | $710 | $1,050 | $1,400 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $130 | $260 | 6% |
| Total | $1,400 | $2,250 | $3,100 | 100% |
What is behind the Youngstown number
Labor is 47% 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 Youngstown the blended ratio comes out at 0.94.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Youngstown 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 87.4: $0 to $260.
How Youngstown compares
Same job, same size (1,500 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Pittsburgh is the priciest of the group at $2,400.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youngstown, OHthis page | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | |
| Akron, OH30 miles | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | +4% |
| Canton, OH40 miles | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | +2% |
| Cleveland, OH45 miles | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | +5% |
| Pittsburgh, PA70 miles | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,400 | +6% |
| Erie, PA75 miles | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | +4% |
| Ohio (statewide) | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | +4% |
| United States | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | +7% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Youngstown ranks #239 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Youngstown is 4% below the Ohio figure.
Elsewhere in Ohio
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | 1,105,580 jobs | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,400 | +6% |
| Cincinnati, OH | 1,101,030 jobs | $1,450 – $3,250 | $2,350 | +5% |
| Cleveland, OH | 1,031,130 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | +5% |
| Dayton, OH | 372,660 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,300 | +3% |
| Akron, OH | 319,560 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | +4% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | +2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Youngstown against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterbury, CT | 160,710 jobs | $1,600 – $3,500 | $2,550 | +14% |
| Gulfport, MS | 158,310 jobs | $1,300 – $2,900 | $2,100 | −5% |
| Shreveport, LA | 162,750 jobs | $1,350 – $3,000 | $2,150 | −3% |
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $1,600 – $3,550 | $2,550 | +14% |
What local crews earn in Youngstown
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 Youngstown the blend is 0.94.
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011), 80% of the weighting: a median of $17.28 an hour, 8% below the US median of $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $14.16 and $19.59 an hour. About 1,030 work in the metro. That is 64.3 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 $23.36 an hour, which is 3% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.83 and $31.39 an hour. BLS counts 850 of them working in the area, 53.1 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 $110 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $150. That is a swing of roughly 6.7% to 4.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Youngstown-Warren has 160,160 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 148th 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% | $14.16 | $17.28 | $19.59 | $18.82 | 0.92 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $18.83 | $23.36 | $31.39 | $22.66 | 1.03 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.94 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: sod installation pricing in Youngstown
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Youngstown. 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
$1,400 to $2,100
Basic grass on cleared, level ground
Standard
$1,900 to $2,600
Better grass type with some grading
Premium
$2,400 to $3,100
Premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small yard (1,000 sq ft) | $940 – $1,400 | $1,300 – $1,800 | $1,650 – $2,150 |
| average yard (1,500 sq ft) | $1,400 – $2,100 | $1,900 – $2,600 | $2,400 – $3,100 |
| large yard (4,000 sq ft) | $3,750 – $5,350 | $4,950 – $6,550 | $6,150 – $7,750 |
Youngstown weather and the sod installation calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Youngstown Rgnl Ap (10 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 Youngstown 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 127 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Youngstown gets about 41 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 68 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and September (4.3 inches in July). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 8 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 | 34 | 19 | 3.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 21 | 2.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 47 | 28 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Apr | 60 | 38 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 71 | 48 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 56 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 60 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 59 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 52 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 42 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 50 | 33 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 39 | 26 | 3.2 | Cold |
Sod installation: what moves the price in Youngstown
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 Youngstown?
Jobs that often go together with sod lawn are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Youngstown wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (+4%) and sprinkler system lowest (−4%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $630 – $2,200 | +4% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,850 – $9,600 | −4% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,850 – $12,900 | −4% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,450 – $9,900 | −3% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $35,000 – $109,500 | −3% |
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 $1,900 to $2,600 for Youngstown, OH is attached.
Detailed sod installation report for Youngstown, OH, $9
Multi-page report for Youngstown, 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 Youngstown: your questions
+How much does it cost to lay sod in Youngstown?
For 1,500 sq ft, expect $1,400 to $3,100 in the Youngstown area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,900 to $2,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for sod lawn in Youngstown?
About $0.95 to $1.90 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $260 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $1 to $2.
+Is sod lawn cheaper in Youngstown or Akron?
Akron is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 1,500 sq ft there is $2,350, which is 4% more than Youngstown ($2,250). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Youngstown?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $1,050 out of $2,250. Materials are 47% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 47%.
+What would average yard (1,500 sq ft) cost in Youngstown?
$1,400 to $3,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does sod lawn need a permit in Youngstown?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $260 for fees in the Youngstown area (our national range of $0 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Youngstown expensive for sod lawn compared with the rest of Ohio?
Youngstown is 4% below 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 Youngstown?
The BLS median is $17.28 an hour in the Youngstown area, compared with $18.82 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $14.16 to $19.59.
+What do basic and premium sod lawn work cost in Youngstown?
For 1,500 sq ft, basic work runs $1,400 to $2,100 and premium work $2,400 to $3,100. 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 Youngstown?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. 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 Youngstown
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.