What Is the Average Price to Buy Sod?

Average Price of Sod Grass per Pallet & Square Foot

Sod prices are by the pallet or square foot. You’ll pay about $300 per pallet or $0.60 per square foot. You may also find sod by the square yard or roll, though these are less common. If you buy by the roll, take note of the dimensions. Different suppliers may cut rolls in different sizes.  

Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay a pro to install your new sod if you’re not doing it yourself. The average cost of sod installation is $2,000 or about $1 to $2 per square foot.

Sod Pricing Factors

The price you pay for sod in your geographic region will vary depending on the types of grass best suited to your climate zone. Some varieties are priced based on their hardiness in cool or warm temperatures and the quality of the sod itself.

Type

Sod prices vary for different grass species. If the species you want is not common in your local area, it may cost more to transport. Be sure to choose a grass type that will work well in your yard and climate. See the following section for details on different types of sod. 

Location and Climate Zone

Geography dictates the types of grass you can grow, and local suppliers will likely only carry sod varieties well-suited to your region’s climate. This limited selection also means that local growers can typically offer the best prices. In areas with multiple climate zones, like California, suppliers may charge more because of the wider array of sod species they have to carry.

There are three different categories of sod for different climate zones in the U.S.:

• Cool-season grasses: Grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and fescue with a high tolerance for long periods of cooler weather in the northern half of the U.S.

• Transition-zone grasses: Grasses that grow well in the middle area of the country

• Warm-season grasses: Grasses such as St. Augustine, Bermuda, and zoysia grow well in the long periods of hot weather in the southernmost states.

Grade

There are three main grades of sod that differ by how well they attach to the existing soil and protect themselves from diseases. 

• Economy- or utility-grade sod: Typically priced at $0.20–$0.30 per sq. ft.,this is the least expensive sod. This fragile grass requires a lot of maintenance to remain strong and protected from diseases.

• Mid-grade sod: Typically priced at $0.50–$0.65 per sq. ft., this is standard sod with good root system strength and disease resistance that doesn’t require intensive maintenance. 

• High-grade sod: Typically priced at $0.70–$0.80 per sq. ft., this premium sod grade is the most expensive. It’s a healthy, low-maintenance grass with the strongest and deepest root systems.

Delivery

If you have sod delivered, expect to pay $90 to $350 for delivery (on top of the price of the sod). You can avoid delivery charges if you pick the sod up yourself, but you’ll need a way to transport it. A flatbed truck rental costs about $20 per hour or $129 per day.

Sod Prices by Type

As mentioned above, actual sod prices will vary depending on the type of grass you choose and which types are available in your local area. Below are 11 popular types of sod, plus a breakdown of the average prices, key advantages, and ideal climate for each.

St. Augustine

This coarse, fast-growing, wide-bladed grass is popular for lawns in the Carolinas, Texas, and Central California. The price of St. Augustine sod is $160 to $340 per pallet or $0.35 to $0.75 per square foot. Floratem, a variant of St. Augustine that does well in full sunlight and a variety of soil types, can be found for $185 to $225 per pallet or about $0.35 per square foot.

Pros of St. Augustine Grass:

• Adapts well to heat, drought, and salt water

• Good in shaded areas

• Overpowers weeds

• Resists pests like chinch bugs when healthy

Cons of St. Augustine Grass:

• Needs extra watering in hot weather

• Won’t tolerate temperatures below 10 degrees Fahrenheit

• Sensitive to certain herbicides such as 2,4-D

• Becomes sparse under heavy foot traffic

Zoysia

The price of zoysia sod is $180 to $270 per pallet or $0.40 to $0.60 per square foot. This soft grass with fine blades is common on golf courses. It tolerates different amounts of sunlight and water. However, it works best in warm, sunny, open areas where it stays green for more than half the year.

Some newer breeds of zoysia work better for lawns in colder regions, such as the mid-Atlantic states. These include zoysia emerald—which sells for about $240 per pallet or $0.55 per square foot—and zenith—which sells for about $385 per pallet or $0.85 per square foot.

Pros of Zoysia:

• Slow-growing and requires minimal mowing

• Highly resistant to insects 

Cons of Zoysia:

• Turns brown in cold weather

• Excessive thatching

• Invasive grass that requires lawn edging to protect other plants

Bermuda

The price of Bermuda sod is $160 to $385 per pallet or $0.35 to $0.85 per square foot. This grass can grow quickly in almost any soil, with an ultra-deep root system reaching 6-1/2-feet down. This makes it very drought-resistant but also very hard to get rid of if necessary. It’s popular for areas with a lot of foot traffic, such as football fields.

Pros of Bermuda Grass:

• Good in drought-prone areas

• Tolerates heavy foot traffic

• Recovers and repairs itself quickly

• Resists herbicides for easy weed control

Cons of Bermuda Grass:

• Highly invasive

• Deep root system makes it difficult to remove

• Increases allergy symptoms in some people and pets

Fescue

The price of fescue sod is $160 to $295 per pallet or $0.35 to $0.65 per square foot. This cool-climate grass exists on every continent except Antarctica, and it’s the most common grass for lawns in the U.S. It does very well everywhere that St. Augustine, zoysia, and Bermuda grasses do not. The tall fescue variant is the only subtype that tolerates heavy foot traffic.

Pros of Fescue:

• A good companion to wildflowers

• Tolerates poor soil conditions

• Can grow at high elevations

Cons of Fescue:

• Most variants do not tolerate heavy foot traffic

• Dormant above 90 degrees Fahrenheit

Centipede

The price of centipede grass sod is $340 to $385 per pallet or $0.75 to $0.85 per square foot when purchased from a hardware store. You may find much lower prices at a local farm or nursery. This popular warm-season grass creates a low, dense lawn that grows best in sandy, acidic soil types.

Pros of Centipede Grass:

• Heat- and drought-tolerant

• Shade tolerant

• Weed- and pest-resistant

Cons of Centipede Grass:

• Develops thatch when taller than 2 inches

• Does not handle foot traffic, especially in winter

Bahia

The price of Bahia grass sod is $90 to $180 per pallet or $0.20 to $0.40 per square foot and is more wallet-friendly than most other grass varieties. You’ll find this warm-season grass in fields and pastures in the Southeastern U.S. It also works well as a basic, durable lawn. It’s ideal for those new to lawn care because it can tolerate mowing too close and under-watering.

Pros of Bahia Grass:

• Highly drought-tolerant

• Low-maintenance

• Hardy in the winter

• Thrives in all soil types

• Durable lawn for pets

• Grows in both sunny and shady areas

• Withstands heavy foot traffic

Cons of Bahia Grass:

• Forms large, uneven seedheads through spring, summer, and fall

• Not as dense or dark green as other popular grasses

Marathon

The price of Marathon sod is $270 to $295 per pallet or $0.60 to $0.65 per square foot, although lower-quality imitations cost about 10% less. This grass grows quickly in the fall and thrives in cool weather, but different varieties are available for different climates and conditions. They all work well in front yards and backyards that endure a lot of foot traffic.

Pros of Marathon:

• Lush color and soft blades

• Produces dense turf that resists disease, weeds, and pests

• More durable than other cool-season varieties

• Grows and recovers quickly

Cons of Marathon:

• Must be mowed and watered frequently to keep it green and lush

Kentucky Bluegrass

The price of Kentucky bluegrass sod is $160 to $180 per pallet or $0.35 to $0.40 per square foot. This cool-season grass is popular all across the U.S. due to its lush, green appearance. While it prefers full sun, it can grow well in the shade with proper care and regular mowing, feeding, and watering. It thrives in cold climates but is sensitive to heat and drought.

Pros of Kentucky Bluegrass:

• Uniform, dark green color

• Good in cold climates

• Shade tolerant

• Tolerates heavy foot traffic

• Phenomenal winter hardiness

Cons of Kentucky Bluegrass:

• Doesn’t tolerate heat or drought

• High-maintenance

• Reacts poorly to pests, disease, and weed growth

Bent Grass

The price of bent grass sod is $225 to $315 per pallet or $0.50 to $0.70 per square foot. This cool-season grass has a blue-green hue and soft feel. It’s popular for lawns, natural putting greens, and sports turf since it stands up well to low mowing and heavy foot traffic. It grows exceptionally well in the cool, wet conditions of the Pacific Northwest and the Northeast U.S.

Pros of Bent Grass:

• Resists pests, disease, and weeds in cool temperatures

• Tolerates heavy foot traffic and low mowing

• Prefers full sun but can grow in shade

Cons of Bent Grass:

• Susceptible to pests, disease, and weeds in high temperatures

• Requires frequent watering year-round

Ryegrass

The price of ryegrass sod is $160 to $295 per pallet or $0.35 to $0.65 per square foot. This durable grass grows fastest in cool weather and has a tolerance for close mowing. It needs minimal maintenance in mild climates, though you’ll need to fertilize it and water frequently in warmer months. You can also use it to overseed Bermuda grass to keep a green lawn year-round.

Pros of Ryegrass:

• Tolerant of cold snaps and frequent or heavy rain

• Stays where you plant it

• Thrives despite close mowing and heavy foot traffic

• Grows well in the shade

Cons of Ryegrass:

• Needs more water and maintenance to avoid turning brown as temperatures rise

Super-Sod

Super-Sod is not a variety of grass; it’s a supplier of various high-quality species of zoysia, centipede grass, tall fescue, and Bermuda grass in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic U.S. Every variety is sold in rolls and pallets to suit different-sized yards, both of which can be picked up or delivered. You can call your nearest Super-Sod location for a free quote.

How to Estimate Sod Prices

To estimate the price you’ll pay for sod, first calculate how much you’ll need. Measure your lawn (see how below) to determine the square footage. A pallet of sod normally covers 450 square feet, so divide the total square footage of your lawn by 450 to calculate how many pallets you need.

When purchasing sod, plan to buy around 10% more than you need to account for wasted material during sod installation. When estimating sod prices, you may want to ask suppliers whether they offer any bulk discounts.

How to Measure Your Yard

Start by drawing a rough sketch of the shape of your yard on paper, not including areas that won’t require sod, such as your home, garage, decks, patios, sidewalks, gardens, and sheds.

If you have a large or irregularly-shaped yard, break your sketch up into sections of the following shapes—using a tape measure to take measurements—and make the following calculations for each:

• Squares and rectangles: Measure the length and width in feet and multiply them together to get the area in square feet.

• Right triangles: Measure the length of the two sides that meet at the 90-degree corner in feet and multiply them together. Then divide that number by two to get the area in square feet.

• Circles: Measure the radius (the straight line from the center to the outside of the circle) in feet. Multiply the radius by two and multiply your result by 3.14 to get the area in square feet. For half-circles, divide your final result by two. For quarter-circles, divide your final result by four.

Once you’ve calculated the area of each shape separately, add all of your results together to determine the total size of your lawn.

DIY Sod Installation

The average price for a DIY sod installation job is about $6,100. If you choose to install sod as a DIY project, you’ll need to learn how to lay sod and ensure you have all the proper tools and materials. This includes a rototiller and lawn roller to prepare the soil and ensure the sod will be even. Below is a list of the items you’ll need and the average cost of each.

Installing sod yourself takes a lot of time and effort. If you’d prefer to save yourself time and leave the process of grass selection, delivery, and installation to the pros, consider hiring a sod installer near you. Even if you install the sod on your own, you may wish to hire a pro to assist with lawn prep, so factor in the potential price of lawn aeration or the price to reslope your lawn.