How much does cheap artificial turf cost?

Economy artificial turf costs about $4,000–$6,500 installed for a 500 sq ft lawn ($8.0–$13/sq ft), versus about $6,000–$9,500 at standard grade — roughly $2,500 less at the midpoint. Doing it yourself with standard turf runs about $2,500–$4,500, materials only. All are planning ranges from published 2026 pricing.

Is cheap artificial grass worth it?

Sometimes. Economy turf makes sense for a low-traffic, out-of-the-way area or a short-term fix. But budget turf uses lighter fiber, a shorter pile, and a latex backing, and it carries a shorter warranty — about 5 years versus 8–15 for premium — and a 5–10 year lifespan versus 15–20. If you replace it twice, the cheap lawn can cost more over 15 years than a better lawn installed once.

What is the cheapest way to install artificial turf?

Three levers lower the price honestly: choose an economy grade, do a small and flat area yourself (materials-only removes most of the labor), and buy turf in full rolls to cut waste. What you should not cheap out on is the base and drainage — a poor base is the single most expensive mistake to redo.

Why is some artificial turf so much cheaper?

Lower face weight (less fiber), a shorter pile, polypropylene instead of polyethylene fiber, and a single latex backing instead of polyurethane. Each cut lowers the price and shortens the life. The cost table above shows exactly what a budget price trades away.

Does cheap turf cost more in the long run?

It can. A budget lawn that lasts 5–10 years may need replacing once or twice inside the 15–20 years a premium lawn lasts. Add the second install and the "cheap" option is often the dearer one. Match the grade to how long you need it to last.

Artificial turf cost by grade

Cheap Artificial Turf Cost

Want the cheapest artificial turf that is still worth installing? This page shows how much you save with an economy grade or a do-it-yourself install — and, just as important, what the lower price trades away. Every cost range comes from this site’s engine and published 2026 installer pricing; the quality figures are sourced from turf manufacturers and installers.

Quick answer

Cheap (economy) artificial turf costs about $4,000–$6,500 installed for a 500 sq ft lawn ($8.0–$13/sq ft), roughly $2,500 less than standard grade at about $6,000–$9,500. Doing it yourself runs about $2,500–$4,500, materials only. The catch: budget turf uses lighter fiber, a shorter pile, and a latex backing, so it lasts 5–10 years against 15–20 for premium. Get three local quotes.

Economy: $4,000–$6,500You save vs standard: ~$2,500500 sq ft · planning estimate

Price your own yard →See the cost sources

What you save: economy vs standard vs DIY

All three are the same 500 sq ft lawn, priced by this site’s engine. Economy grade lowers the material cost; doing it yourself removes most of the labor. Both save money up front — the rest of this page covers what each one costs you later.

Installed artificial turf cost for a 500 sq ft lawn by grade and install type, 2026 national planning range.
Option	Per sq ft	Installed cost (500 sq ft)
Economy (budget)Polypropylene, short pile — the cheapest professional install.	$8.0–$13/sq ft	$4,000–$6,500
StandardPolyethylene, mid pile — the everyday recommendation.	$12–$19/sq ft	$6,000–$9,500
DIY (materials only)Standard turf, you supply the labor and base prep.	$5.0–$9.0/sq ft	$2,500–$4,500

National planning ranges, not quotes. Job size and your state move the number — estimate your own yard →

What a cheap price trades away

A lower price is not free — it comes out of the turf’s fiber, backing, and lifespan. These are the real spec-level differences between budget and premium artificial turf, sourced from turf manufacturers and installers.

Economy versus premium artificial turf specifications: face weight, pile height, fiber, backing, warranty, and lifespan.
Spec	Economy (cheap)	Premium
Face weightHow much fiber is in the turf. Budget turf is sparser and thins out faster underfoot; heavier turf looks lusher and wears longer.	30–50 oz/yd²	60–90 oz/yd²
Pile heightBlade length. Very short economy pile can look flat or artificial; a mid pile of 1.5–2 in reads most like real grass.	0.5–1 in	1.5–2.5 in
FiberPolypropylene is cheaper but stiffer and less durable. Polyethylene is softer and more natural — the standard for a good residential lawn. (Nylon is stiffest, used for putting greens and high-traffic, not open lawns.)	Polypropylene	Polyethylene
BackingLatex backing can dry out and crumble as it ages. Polyurethane or a dual backing holds tufts longer and drains better — which is why premium turf carries a longer warranty.	Latex, single layer	Polyurethane or dual (latex + PU)
WarrantyThe manufacturer’s own confidence in the product. A 5-year warranty signals a product built to a price, not to last.	~5 years	8–15 years
Expected lifespanThe real cost tell. Cheap turf you replace in 7 years can cost more over 15 years than premium you install once.	5–10 years	15–20 years

Sourced from turf manufacturer and installer specifications, 2026. See Methodology.

How to go cheap the right way

Three levers lower the price honestly. Choose an economy grade for a low-traffic or out-of-the-way area. Do a small, flat, well-draining area yourself, since materials-only removes most of the labor cost. And buy turf in full rolls to cut offcut waste. Together those are where a budget install really saves.

There is one place never to cut: the base and drainage. A compacted, well-drained base is the single most expensive thing to redo, and it is what decides whether any turf — cheap or premium — lasts or lifts, wrinkles, and puddles within a season. Spend the savings from a cheaper grade on getting the base right.

Finally, match the grade to how long you need it. For a rental, a staging job, or a spot you will re-landscape in a few years, economy turf is a sensible buy. For a lawn you want to forget about for fifteen years, the cheap option is often the dearer one once you count the replacement.

Common questions

How much does cheap artificial turf cost?: Economy artificial turf costs about $4,000–$6,500 installed for a 500 sq ft lawn ($8.0–$13/sq ft), versus about $6,000–$9,500 at standard grade — roughly $2,500 less at the midpoint. Doing it yourself with standard turf runs about $2,500–$4,500, materials only. All are planning ranges from published 2026 pricing.
Is cheap artificial grass worth it?: Sometimes. Economy turf makes sense for a low-traffic, out-of-the-way area or a short-term fix. But budget turf uses lighter fiber, a shorter pile, and a latex backing, and it carries a shorter warranty — about 5 years versus 8–15 for premium — and a 5–10 year lifespan versus 15–20. If you replace it twice, the cheap lawn can cost more over 15 years than a better lawn installed once.
What is the cheapest way to install artificial turf?: Three levers lower the price honestly: choose an economy grade, do a small and flat area yourself (materials-only removes most of the labor), and buy turf in full rolls to cut waste. What you should not cheap out on is the base and drainage — a poor base is the single most expensive mistake to redo.
Why is some artificial turf so much cheaper?: Lower face weight (less fiber), a shorter pile, polypropylene instead of polyethylene fiber, and a single latex backing instead of polyurethane. Each cut lowers the price and shortens the life. The cost table above shows exactly what a budget price trades away.
Does cheap turf cost more in the long run?: It can. A budget lawn that lasts 5–10 years may need replacing once or twice inside the 15–20 years a premium lawn lasts. Add the second install and the "cheap" option is often the dearer one. Match the grade to how long you need it to last.