Xeriscaping costs $5–$20 per square foot depending on materials, plants, and labor. Here are real cost breakdowns by project type, plus the rebates that can cut your total by 30–60%.
TL;DR
See how much your city pays back.
Calculate my rebate →The average xeriscape project for a 1,000 sq ft yard runs $5,000–$12,000. That range is wide because xeriscaping isn't one thing — it's a spectrum from simple mulch-and-plants to a full designer landscape with boulders, gravel paths, and drip irrigation.
Here's how it breaks down by approach:
The range depends on three things: materials (mulch is cheap, boulders are not), plant density (more plants = higher cost but better coverage), and whether you hire a designer or plan it yourself.
Every xeriscape project has the same core components. Here's what each one actually costs:
Ground cover: - Mulch: $30–$110 per cubic yard — the cheapest ground cover option, and most rebate programs require it - Gravel and decomposed granite: $25–$67 per cubic yard — lasts longer than mulch, no annual replenishment needed - Rocks and boulders: $50–$130 per cubic yard — adds up fast, especially for large feature rocks
Plants: - Ground covers (creeping thyme, sedum): $2–$45 per plant - Succulents and drought-tolerant perennials: $6–$175 depending on size - Trees (desert willow, palo verde, mesquite) installed: $150–$1,850 per tree
Labor and design: - Landscape design fees: $50–$200 per hour, or $500–$2,500 for a full plan - Installation labor: $50–$100 per hour - Turf removal: $1–$3 per square foot if done by a contractor
The biggest cost lever is ground cover choice. A yard covered in mulch with strategic plant clusters costs a fraction of one covered in decorative boulders with specimen trees.
DIY xeriscaping saves 40–60% on labor costs but takes significantly longer. The sweet spot for most homeowners is a hybrid approach: do your own mulch spreading and plant installation, and hire a pro only for irrigation changes and grading.
A 1,000 sq ft DIY xeriscape with mulch, gravel paths, and nursery plants can come in under $4,000. That same project with a contractor runs $8,000–$12,000.
What's realistic to DIY:
What's worth hiring out:
This is where the math gets interesting. Western US water utilities pay $2–$7 per square foot to remove grass and replace it with xeriscape. On a 1,000 sq ft yard, that's a significant chunk of the project cost back in your pocket.
Here's what major programs pay:
Do the math: a $12,000 professional xeriscape with a $7,000 SNWA rebate = $5,000 net cost. A $4,000 DIY project with the same rebate means the utility is literally paying you $3,000 to improve your yard.
These rebates are the single biggest reason xeriscaping is more affordable than most people realize.
Check what your city pays back — rebates can cut 30–60% off your total project cost.
The upfront cost is only half the story. Xeriscaped yards save money every month, and those savings compound.
Water bill savings: Xeriscaped yards use 50–75% less irrigation water than traditional lawns. In Las Vegas, the average household saves $300–$500 per year on water bills after converting. In Phoenix and other desert cities, the savings are comparable.
Maintenance savings: No weekly mowing ($30–$60/visit if hired out, or your own time). Less fertilizer. Less irrigation repair. No overseeding. A traditional lawn costs $1,200–$2,000 per year in water, mowing, and fertilizer. A xeriscaped yard costs $200–$500 per year to maintain — mostly just occasional pruning and mulch top-ups.
Property value: University of Washington research shows landscaping increases property value by 3–15%. Well-designed xeriscaping is especially valued in water-restricted regions where buyers are looking for low-maintenance, drought-proof yards that won't need a complete overhaul during the next water restriction.
Over 5 years, the water and maintenance savings alone add up to $3,500–$7,500. Combined with a rebate, many homeowners end up net positive within 2–3 years of their project.
A few mistakes that will either disqualify your rebate or cost you money:
For the full list of denial reasons and how to avoid them, read our guide on why turf rebate applications get denied.
Yes, long-term. A traditional lawn costs $1,200–$2,000 per year in water, mowing, and fertilizer. Xeriscaped yards cost $200–$500 per year to maintain — mostly occasional pruning and mulch replenishment. Most homeowners break even within 2–3 years, even without a rebate.
Yes, with DIY labor, mulch as your primary ground cover, and small nursery plants. Skip the professional design and use your water utility's recommended plant lists — they're free and tailored to your climate. A basic 1,000 sq ft DIY xeriscape with mulch, gravel paths, and starter plants can come in at $3,000–$4,000.
Rarely the full cost, but they can cover 30–60%. SNWA's $7/sq ft on 1,000 sq ft = $7,000 back, which often exceeds the cost of a basic DIY install. Even at lower rebate rates ($2–$3/sq ft), the rebate meaningfully offsets the project budget.
No. Studies show well-designed xeriscaping increases property value, especially in water-restricted regions where buyers value low-maintenance, drought-proof yards. The key is "well-designed" — a thoughtful layout with plants, paths, and ground cover, not just a yard full of gravel.
DIY: 2–4 weekends for 1,000 sq ft, depending on how much hardscape you're installing. Professional: 1–2 weeks. Add 2–4 weeks for rebate pre-approval before you start — don't begin work until you have written approval in hand.
Planning a xeriscape project?
Make sure you get pre-approved first — it's mandatory for every rebate program.
What pre-approval means and why it's mandatory →Worried about getting denied?
Learn the 10 most common reasons rebate applications are rejected — and how to avoid every one.
Why turf rebate applications get denied →