Landscaping Statistics (2023)

Landscaping enhances the beauty and functionality of outdoor spaces, such as gardens, yards (including xeriscaping), parks, and public areas. In this article, part of our real estate data series, we’ll examine some key statistics about the landscaping industry, how much landscaping costs, benefits, and how it can affect the value of a home.

• How Many Landscaping Businesses Are There?
• What Are the Biggest Landscaping Businesses?
• How Much Does Landscaping Cost?
• Benefits of Landscaping
• How Does Landscaping Affect Home Values?

Landscaping Key Statistics

• There are 647,741 landscaping businesses in the United States.

• Over 70% of landscaping businesses have just 1-4 employees.
• The typical price range for landscaping projects is $2,600 - $13,700, with the average project costing $8,150.
• Landscaping maintenance typically costs between $100 - $200 per month.
• Taking a home from no landscaping to well-planned and executed landscaping can increase the home’s value between 5.5% - 12.7%.

How Many Landscaping Businesses Are There?

There are 647,741 landscaping businesses in the U.S. In the last decade, the number of landscaping businesses grew 39%.

• Between 2017 and 2022, the landscaping industry grew 9.7% per year on average.
• Nearly 1.4 million people are employed by the landscaping industry in the U.S.
• The average salary of someone employed in the landscaping industry is $28,828.
• Over 85% of people working in the landscaping industry are men.
• The states with the most landscaping businesses are Florida (61,550 businesses), California (53,786 businesses), and New York (44,859 businesses).

Most landscaping businesses are quite small. In fact, over 70% of landscaping businesses have just 1 - 4 employees. The following chart shows a breakdown of landscaping businesses by size.

What Are the Biggest Landscaping Businesses?

The largest landscaping company in the nation is BrightView which focuses primarily on commercial landscaping. BrightView employs over 22,000 people and did $2.77 billion in revenue in 2022.

There were only 6 landscaping companies that did more than $400 million in revenue in 2022. Here is a breakdown of the 6 largest landscaping companies in the U.S., by revenue.

How Much Does Landscaping Cost?

The cost of landscaping can vary quite a bit depending on the scope of the project, the size of the yard, and the hours needed to complete or maintain the landscaping. In this section, we will analyze the cost of landscaping from several different angles to give a complete picture of what one can expect to spend on landscaping services.

Cost by Project

When it comes to landscaping projects, the range of possibilities is quite extensive. For example, on the low end, there are projects like fertilization, leaf removal, weeding, and aeration. These types of projects may cost just a few hundred dollars.

On the other hand, large projects could mean breaking out heavy machinery to change things more drastically, with prices running into the tens of thousands of dollars.

• The typical price range for landscaping projects is $2,600 - $13,700.
• The average project costs $8,150.

Here is a table of prices for landscaping projects:

For more information on swimming pools, check out our swimming pool statistics article.

Maintenance Costs

Landscaping maintenance typically costs between $100 - $200 per month. For large yards, this figure could be closer to $300 per month. Yard size and hourly rates will also affect the maintenance costs.

Lawn mowing is a common landscaping maintenance cost. This will typically cost between $50 - $250 per service.

Cost Per Hour

Landscaping hourly rates typically range between $50 - $100 per hour. Urban areas like Los Angeles (especially Beverly Hills) or San Francisco will see hourly rates on the higher end while rural areas trend towards the lower end. Compared to many other types of home projects, landscaping is quite labor-intensive.

Benefits of Landscaping

Landscaping offers a wide range of benefits, both practical and aesthetic, to property owners and the environment. Here are some of the key benefits of landscaping:

Enhanced Aesthetics: One of the primary reasons people invest in landscaping is to improve the appearance of their property. Thoughtfully designed landscapes can increase the curb appeal of a property, making it more visually appealing and welcoming.

Increased Property Value: A well-designed and well-maintained landscape can significantly increase the value of a property. Potential buyers are often willing to pay more for a home with an attractive outdoor space. We’ll dive deeper into this in the next section.

Environmental Benefits: Landscaping can contribute to environmental conservation in several ways. Trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide, filter pollutants from the air, and release oxygen. They also help prevent soil erosion and improve water quality by reducing runoff.

Improved Air Quality: Plants play a crucial role in purifying the air by absorbing pollutants and releasing clean oxygen. This can lead to better air quality and a healthier living environment.

Temperature Regulation: Trees and plants provide natural shade, which can help regulate temperatures around your property. This natural cooling effect can reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills, especially during hot seasons.

Noise Reduction: Trees, shrubs, and other greenery can help absorb and deflect sound, reducing noise pollution and creating a more peaceful environment.

Privacy and Screening: Landscaping elements like fences, hedges, and trees can provide privacy and screen out undesirable views, creating a more secluded and comfortable space.

Recreation and Relaxation: A well-designed landscape can provide space for outdoor activities, such as gardening, playing, or entertaining. It can also serve as a peaceful retreat for relaxation and contemplation.

Wildlife Habitat: Native plants, trees, and water features can attract various forms of wildlife, from birds to butterflies, creating a more biodiverse ecosystem in your backyard.

Health and Well-being: Spending time in green spaces has been linked to reduced stress, improved mood, and overall enhanced well-being. Landscaped areas provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and exercise, which contribute to a healthier lifestyle. In addition, 55% of U.S. households have a garden.

Erosion Control: Properly planned landscapes with features like retaining walls, ground covers, and proper drainage systems can help prevent soil erosion and water runoff.

Stormwater Management: Landscaping elements like rain gardens, permeable surfaces, and strategically placed plants can help manage stormwater runoff, reducing the risk of flooding and improving water quality.

Overall, landscaping offers a holistic approach to improving both the physical and psychological aspects of a property, benefiting residents and the surrounding environment.

How Does Landscaping Affect Home Values?

A Virginia Tech Landscaping Study found that taking a home from no landscaping to well-planned and executed landscaping can increase the home’s value between 5.5% - 12.7%.

• Survey respondents ranked design sophistication as the most impactful, followed by plant size. The diversity of plant types was the least important.
• The study concluded that a home worth $150,000 with just a lawn could increase its value by $8,250 to $19,050 with a sophisticated landscaping job.

This research seems consistent with previous studies that concluded improving a home’s landscaping from average to excellent increased a home’s value by 10% - 12%.

For more information about increasing your home's value, see our remodeling statistics round up.

Conclusion

Landscaping offers a wide range of benefits from energy efficiency, cost savings, curb appeal, and has been proven to have a positive impact on home values. With the average landscaping project coming in at $8,150, it’s up to property owners to decide if the benefits outweigh the costs.

Sources

IBIS World Landscaping Services Industry Report

Landscape Management

Virginia Tech