Cost to Landscaping Design and Installation in St. Louis, MO (2026)
If you’re budgeting a landscaping design and installation in St. Louis, most projects run $1,536-$18,438, 2% above the $6,500 national average. What moves that number most is usually one thing: Project Scope. On its own it can swing the cost by $1,000-$40,000, so that’s the decision to slow down on before you sweat the smaller stuff.
Easiest place to save: Plant small and let it grow - a 1-gallon shrub costs $8-$15 and reaches the same size as a 5-gallon ($35-$60) in 2-3 years with proper care
In the Midwest (where St. Louis sits): Competitive landscaping market; shorter season concentrates work into spring and summer. Chicago near average, smaller cities well below.
$1,536-$18,438 in St. Louis
2% above the national average · 1.02x cost multiplier
In St. Louis, a landscaping design and installation runs $1,536 to $18,438 on average - about 2% above what homeowners pay nationwide. The Midwest market's labor costs account for most of the gap, with material pricing and local permitting fees adding to the spread. Use the cost table below to compare budget, mid-range, and premium options side by side.
Cost Breakdown in St. Louis
| Line Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per sq ft | $4 | $10 | $26 |
| Materials | $752 | $2,820 | $9,400 |
| Labor | $1,116 | $3,907 | $13,395 |
| Permits | $0 | $188 | $470 |
| Total | $1,868+4% vs. national avg | $7,385+3% vs. national avg | $26,085+2% vs. national avg |
Budget
Basic refresh: mulch, shrub planting, sod in bare patches, clean edging
Mid-Range
Full front yard redesign: new plant beds, sod or seed, defined edging, basic irrigation
Premium
Professional full redesign: hardscape, mature trees, irrigation system, lighting, drainage
Material Options
Material prices below are national averages; availability in St. Louis may shift costs slightly.
| Material | Cost/Unit | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Sod (Instant Lawn) | $0.60-$1.20/sq ft materials | Front yards where curb appeal matters immediately, small to medium areasImmediate results, no waiting period, firm surface in days |
| Seed (Grow-In Lawn) | $0.05-$0.20/sq ft materials | Large back yards, budget-conscious projects, spring/fall timingLowest cost, wider grass variety selection, good long-term density |
| Hardwood Mulch | $35-$50/cubic yard installed | All plant beds - the most cost-effective landscaping improvement per dollarSuppresses weeds, retains moisture, improves soil, low maintenance |
| Native and Drought-Tolerant Plants | $10-$80/plant installed | Eco-conscious homeowners, dry climates, low-maintenance landscapesLow water needs, minimal maintenance, supports local wildlife, lower long-term cost |
| Landscape Edging (Steel or Aluminum) | $1.50-$4/linear ft installed | Any project - clean edging is one of the most cost-effective ways to elevate a landscapeDefines beds cleanly, prevents grass intrusion, professional look |
Other Projects in St. Louis
St. Louis Estimate
Typical Range
$1,536-$18,438
vs. National Average
2% above national
Cost Multiplier
1.02x
Cost Per sq ft
$4-$26
This 1.02x estimate prices St. Louis labor from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) and applies a lighter regional adjustment to materials and permits, which vary less by metro than labor does. Actual bids vary by contractor, project scope, and timing.
See national average costs →