Installed artificial turf costs $10 to $25 per square foot nationally, according to HomeGuide's cost guide (updated October 2025). At that rate, 500 square feet works out to roughly $5,000 to $12,500. Use the estimator above for your size, then read what moves a job within that range.
Where the money goes
HomeGuide says labor is typically 50% to 60% of the total, which is why yard conditions matter so much. Two yards of the same size can land at opposite ends of the range.
- Removal: old grass, rock or turf to dig out and haul away
- Base and grading: how much rock, and how much shaping the ground needs
- Drainage: HomeGuide lists drainage systems at $1,000 to $4,000 or more when a yard needs one
- The turf product: pile height, density and backing
- Infill, edging and borders
What it means for Peoria yards
A new-build backyard of bare dirt usually needs less removal than a mature lawn, but it may need more base work. Hillside lots add grading and access time. A pet area adds drainage and odor-control infill. A putting green is a different build again, and we don't have a published price source for greens yet, so the estimator sends those to a quote.
There's no city rebate to subtract either, because Peoria's grass removal rebate excludes artificial turf, as our turf, xeriscape and grass comparison explains.
Why the price comes after a site visit
The estimator stops at a range on purpose. The things that move a turf price sit in the yard itself, and most of them can't be judged from a form or a photo, so an installer will usually want to see the yard before giving a written estimate. That visit settles five things.
- Size: the measured area, and how the fixed roll widths fall across it, which decides how many seams the job needs
- Base: hard spots, rock or soft ground under the surface, which change how deep the base goes and how long it takes to build
- Drainage: which way water runs now, whether a new home's builder grading has to be kept, and whether the yard needs added drainage
- Access: the side gate width, steps and slopes between the street and the backyard, since a narrow route means more hand work
- Existing irrigation: where the valves and sprinkler lines run, and what has to be capped or rerouted before the base goes down
How to compare quotes
Line up the quotes by square footage, base depth and material, turf product, infill type and amount, and what's included for removal and haul-away. A low price with a thin base often costs more later. Our installation overview lists the questions to ask, and you can request an estimate when you want a number for your own yard.