Pricing by Grass Type
Sod Cost per Square Foot, 2026 Pricing Guide
Sod material costs $0.26 to $0.87 per square foot depending on the grass type. The low end is the farm trade price in the USDA AMS National Quarterly Sod Report for July to September 2026; the high end is the dearest retail pallet price we found published. Delivery, labour and soil prep are extra.
| Grass Type | Cost per Sq Ft | USDA Trade Avg | Retail Pallet | Pallet Coverage | Season | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bermuda Grass | $0.41 - $0.68 | $0.55 | $220-$337.50 | 450 sq ft | warm-season | medium |
| Fescue (Tall Fescue) | $0.33 - $0.81 | $0.52 | $439.12 | 540 sq ft | cool-season | low |
| Zoysia Grass | $0.55 - $0.87 | $0.77 | $315-$390 | 450 sq ft | warm-season | low |
| St. Augustine Grass | $0.46 - $0.71 | not priced | $205-$320 | 450 sq ft | warm-season | medium |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | $0.26 - $0.81 | $0.30 | $439.12 | 540 sq ft | cool-season | high |
Sod material only. USDA trade average is the national volume-weighted farm price (FOB). Prices checked November 2026; sources below.
Bermuda Grass
$0.41 - $0.68/sq ftOne of the most popular warm-season grasses known for its durability, heat tolerance, and rapid growth. Bermuda grass creates a dense, carpet-like lawn that withstands heavy foot traffic.
Sun Requirement
Full sun (6-8+ hours)
Water Needs
Medium
Ideal Regions
Southeast, Southwest, Southern Plains
Pros
- + Extremely heat and drought tolerant
- + Recovers quickly from damage
- + Dense growth crowds out weeds
- + Low to moderate cost
Cons
- - Goes dormant and turns brown in winter
- - Requires full sun, poor shade tolerance
- - Aggressive spreading into garden beds
- - Needs frequent mowing in peak season
Fescue (Tall Fescue)
$0.33 - $0.81/sq ftA versatile cool-season grass that tolerates heat better than other cool-season varieties. Tall fescue has deep roots that provide good drought resistance and stays green year-round in moderate climates.
Sun Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
Water Needs
Medium
Ideal Regions
Upper South, Transition Zone, Pacific Northwest, Northeast
Pros
- + Stays green year-round in many climates
- + Good shade tolerance
- + Deep roots improve drought resistance
- + Low maintenance once established
Cons
- - Can look clumpy if not planted densely
- - Slower to repair bare spots
- - Not as fine-textured as bluegrass
- - May thin in extreme southern heat
Zoysia Grass
$0.55 - $0.87/sq ftA premium warm-season grass prized for its dense, soft texture and beautiful appearance. Zoysia is slow to establish but creates a thick, weed-resistant carpet once mature.
Sun Requirement
Full sun to light shade
Water Needs
Low
Ideal Regions
Transition Zone, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic
Pros
- + Dense growth naturally resists weeds
- + Low water requirements once established
- + Tolerates some shade
- + Soft, carpet-like texture
Cons
- - Slow to establish (2-3 seasons to fill in)
- - Higher cost per square foot
- - Goes dormant earlier than Bermuda
- - Can develop thatch problems
St. Augustine Grass
$0.46 - $0.71/sq ftA broad-bladed warm-season grass that thrives in coastal and subtropical climates. St. Augustine is the go-to choice in Florida and along the Gulf Coast for its shade tolerance and lush appearance.
Sun Requirement
Full sun to moderate shade
Water Needs
High
Ideal Regions
Gulf Coast, Florida, Southeast Coastal, Southern California
Pros
- + Best shade tolerance among warm-season grasses
- + Lush, tropical appearance
- + Establishes relatively quickly
- + Salt tolerant for coastal areas
Cons
- - High water requirements
- - Susceptible to chinch bugs and SAD virus
- - Does not tolerate heavy foot traffic well
- - Cannot be grown from seed, sod or plugs only
Kentucky Bluegrass
$0.26 - $0.81/sq ftThe classic American lawn grass known for its rich blue-green colour and fine texture. Kentucky Bluegrass produces a beautiful, self-repairing lawn but requires consistent maintenance and watering.
Sun Requirement
Full sun (6+ hours)
Water Needs
High
Ideal Regions
Northeast, Midwest, Northern Plains, Pacific Northwest
Pros
- + Beautiful blue-green colour
- + Self-repairs via rhizomes
- + Fine, soft texture ideal for barefoot
- + Cold hardy, handles harsh winters
Cons
- - High water and fertiliser needs
- - Poor heat and drought tolerance
- - Requires full sun
- - Slow to establish from sod
Where these prices come from
The USDA AMS National Quarterly Sod Report (July to September 2026, published 21 October 2026) surveys sod farms on what they charge the trade, before delivery. Homeowners buying a pallet or two usually pay more, so we pair it with retail pallet prices that sellers publish.
| Grass | USDA Region | Trade Range | Weighted Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bermuda Grass | National | $0.41-$1.35 | $0.55 |
| Bermuda Grass | South | $0.41-$0.50 | $0.47 |
| Fescue (Tall Fescue) | National | $0.33-$0.81 | $0.52 |
| Zoysia Grass | National | $0.55-$0.81 | $0.77 |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | National | $0.26-$0.81 | $0.30 |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | Midwest | $0.26-$0.44 | $0.29 |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | Northeast | $0.45-$0.81 | $0.50 |
Per square foot, FOB farm. USDA did not price St. Augustine in this report.
| Seller | Variety | Pallet | Per Sq Ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Grass Outlet, Austin, TX | Tifway 419 | $220 / 450 sq ft (pre-order pickup) | $0.49 |
| The Grass Outlet, Austin, TX | Tifway 419 | $270 / 450 sq ft (same-day pickup) | $0.60 |
| The Grass Outlet, Austin, TX | Celebration | $225 / 450 sq ft (pre-order pickup) | $0.50 |
| Legacy Turf Farms, Cartersville, GA | Tifway 419 | $287.50 / 500 sq ft (farm price) | $0.57 |
| Legacy Turf Farms, Cartersville, GA | Tahoma 31 | $337.50 / 500 sq ft (farm price) | $0.68 |
| Ohio Mulch, Ohio | Kentucky bluegrass/fescue blend | $439.12 / 540 sq ft (list price) | $0.81 |
| The Grass Outlet, Austin, TX | Palisades | $315 / 450 sq ft (pre-order pickup) | $0.70 |
| The Grass Outlet, Austin, TX | Palisades | $390 / 450 sq ft (same-day pickup) | $0.87 |
| The Grass Outlet, Austin, TX | Raleigh | $205 / 450 sq ft (pre-order pickup) | $0.46 |
| The Grass Outlet, Austin, TX | Raleigh | $320 / 450 sq ft (same-day pickup) | $0.71 |
| The Grass Outlet, Austin, TX | Palmetto | $240 / 450 sq ft (pre-order pickup) | $0.53 |
Prices as listed when checked in November 2026. Farm prices change with the season, so ask your supplier for a current quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest type of sod per square foot?
At the farm, Kentucky Bluegrass is the cheapest sod: USDA's July-September 2026 report puts its national trade price at a weighted average of $0.30 per square foot, mostly Midwest sales. Among warm-season grasses Bermuda trades lowest, at a $0.55 national average against $0.77 for Zoysia. Retail can differ: one Austin seller lists Raleigh St. Augustine at $205 a pallet, below its $220 for Tifway 419 Bermuda.
Why is Zoysia sod more expensive?
Zoysia had the highest farm trade price of any grass in USDA's July-September 2026 report, a weighted average of $0.77 per square foot against $0.55 for Bermuda. Retail pallets we checked work out at $0.70-$0.87 per square foot. Zoysia spreads slowly, so a harvested field takes longer to grow back into sellable sod.
How many square feet does a pallet of sod cover?
It depends on the farm. The pallets we checked cover 450 square feet (The Grass Outlet, 160 pieces), 500 square feet (Legacy Turf Farms) and 540 square feet (Ohio Mulch, 88 pieces). Divide your lawn area by the pallet size your supplier quotes: a 5,000 sq ft lawn needs 12 pallets of 450 sq ft or 10 pallets of 500 sq ft.
Need a total project estimate?
See what your full sod project will cost based on yard size and grass type.