Sod installation cost in Kenosha, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,500 sq ft)
- $1,650 – $3,600
- Per sq ft
- $1.10 – $2.20
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +10%
- US $2,400
- Rank of 300 metros
- #35
- 1 = most expensive
Kenosha homeowners pay roughly $1,650 to $3,600 to lay sod at 1,500 sq ft, or $1.10 to $2.20 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Kenosha is 10% higher. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn a median of $21.87 an hour in the Kenosha area, 16% above 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 Kenosha, WI, standard level
$2,250 to $3,000
About $1.45 to $1.85 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,050 | $1,350 |
| Labor | $1,100 | $1,450 |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $210 |
| Total | $2,250 | $3,000 |
Cost breakdown for 1,500 sq ft in Kenosha, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $800 | $1,200 | $1,600 | 45% |
| Labor | $860 | $1,300 | $1,700 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $150 | $300 | 6% |
| Total | $1,650 | $2,650 | $3,600 | 100% |
Why Kenosha 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, Kenosha wages are 1.14 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 Kenosha metro is 106.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 1,500 sq ft comes to $1,200, compared with $1,150 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (101.1) and land at $0 to $300.
What nearby projects cost in Kenosha
Because every project leans on different trades, Kenosha's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, French drain runs +16% and gravel driveway +10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $700 – $2,450 | +16% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,450 – $11,100 | +11% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,100 – $15,000 | +13% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,750 – $11,200 | +10% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $40,400 – $126,000 | +12% |
Kenosha: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Kenosha 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
$1,650 to $2,450
Basic grass on cleared, level ground
Standard
$2,250 to $3,000
Better grass type with some grading
Premium
$2,850 to $3,600
Premium sod, soil work, difficult slopes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small yard (1,000 sq ft) | $1,100 – $1,650 | $1,500 – $2,100 | $1,950 – $2,500 |
| average yard (1,500 sq ft) | $1,650 – $2,450 | $2,250 – $3,000 | $2,850 – $3,600 |
| large yard (4,000 sq ft) | $4,400 – $6,300 | $5,800 – $7,700 | $7,250 – $9,100 |
Kenosha against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Kenosha. Janesville is the lowest at about $2,350 (midpoint, 1,500 sq ft), 60 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenosha, WIthis page | $1,650 – $3,600 | $2,650 | |
| Racine, WI15 miles | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,350 | −10% |
| Milwaukee, WI20 miles | $1,550 – $3,450 | $2,500 | −5% |
| Chicago, IL55 miles | $1,700 – $3,700 | $2,700 | +2% |
| Janesville, WI60 miles | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | −11% |
| Rockford, IL60 miles | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | −11% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | −8% |
| United States | $1,500 – $3,300 | $2,400 | −9% |
Across 300 US metros, Kenosha comes in at #35 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, Kenosha is 9% above the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $1,550 – $3,450 | $2,500 | −5% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,500 | −5% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $1,450 – $3,250 | $2,350 | −11% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $1,550 – $3,400 | $2,500 | −5% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,350 | −12% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,350 | −10% |
Cities with a workforce like Kenosha's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Kenosha against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warner Robins, GA | 76,050 jobs | $1,400 – $3,100 | $2,250 | −14% |
| Abilene, TX | 75,070 jobs | $1,350 – $3,000 | $2,150 | −17% |
| Racine, WI | 76,280 jobs | $1,500 – $3,250 | $2,350 | −10% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $1,450 – $3,150 | $2,300 | −12% |
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 Kenosha is 1.14 times the national level.
For landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011, weighted 80%) the local median is $21.87 an hour, which is 16% above the national $18.82. The middle half of them earn between $18.24 and $23.19 an hour. BLS counts 520 of them working in the area, 68.9 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 $24.06 an hour, 6% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.67 and $29.45 an hour. About 340 work in the metro. That is 45.1 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 ($23.19 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $65. At the 25th percentile ($18.24) it shrinks by about $170. The total moves by 2.4% or 6.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 75,450 jobs in the Kenosha area. That makes it the 245th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and groundskeeping workers (37-3011) | 80% | $18.24 | $21.87 | $23.19 | $18.82 | 1.16 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.67 | $24.06 | $29.45 | $22.66 | 1.06 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.14 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Kenosha 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).
When to schedule sod lawn in Kenosha
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Kenosha Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Kenosha (7 of 12 months). January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, November 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 135 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Kenosha gets about 32 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are April, June and August (3.7 inches in June). Inside the workable window, July and October are the driest, at 3.4 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 11 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 | 31 | 16 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 19 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 45 | 28 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 57 | 37 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 47 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 57 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 62 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 61 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 53 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 43 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 32 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Dec | 37 | 22 | 1.5 | Cold |
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 $2,250 to $3,000 for Kenosha, WI is attached.
Detailed sod installation report for Kenosha, WI, $9
Multi-page report for Kenosha, WI: 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 Kenosha: your questions
+How much does it cost to lay sod in Kenosha?
For 1,500 sq ft, expect $1,650 to $3,600 in the Kenosha area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,250 to $3,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for sod lawn in Kenosha?
About $1.10 to $2.20 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 Kenosha or Racine?
Racine is 15 miles away. The midpoint for 1,500 sq ft there is $2,350, which is 10% less than Kenosha ($2,650). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Kenosha?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $1,300 out of $2,650. Materials are 45% and permits 6%. Nationally, labor is 47%.
+What would average yard (1,500 sq ft) cost in Kenosha?
$1,650 to $3,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does sod lawn need a permit in Kenosha?
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 Kenosha area (our national range of $0 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Kenosha expensive for sod lawn compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Kenosha is 9% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($2,400 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do landscaping and groundskeeping workers earn in Kenosha?
The BLS median is $21.87 an hour in the Kenosha area, compared with $18.82 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.24 to $23.19.
+What do basic and premium sod lawn work cost in Kenosha?
For 1,500 sq ft, basic work runs $1,650 to $2,450 and premium work $2,850 to $3,600. 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 Kenosha?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. July and October 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 Kenosha
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.