A leaf-covered yard not only looks messy, but all those leaves also smother your grass. Leaf removal typically costs around $170, but prices can vary depending on the size of your yard and the type of removal.
You may pay as little as $15 per hour for leaf blowing or as much as $925 to clean a 1-acre yard, but many factors influence the overall cost.
This guide draws on LawnStarter data from the past year across the U.S., so you can get a clearer idea of how much leaf removal will cost in your yard.
What Does Leaf Removal Cost? Platform Comparison
Before hiring a leaf removal service, it’s helpful to understand how pricing varies among platforms. The comparison below highlights typical costs and service models from popular providers:
| Service | Typical Per-Visit Cost | How It Works | Best For |
| LawnStarter | $170 | Book online with background-checked professionals and a re-service or refund guarantee | Homeowners who value peace of mind and a hassle-free experience |
| Lawn Guru | $174 – $487 | Request service through a mobile app and get matched with nearby independent pros | Last-minute cleanups and quick scheduling |
| Lawn Love | $172 | Online booking with background-checked local pros and customer-backed service guarantees | Homeowners who want one company for leaf cleanup, gardening, and lawn care |
| Thumbtack/ Angi | $131 – $374 | Marketplace that connects homeowners with independent local contractors | Homeowners who prefer to shop around before hiring |
| GreenPal | $145 – $175 | Receive bids from multiple local lawn care professionals | Homeowners who want to compare prices before booking |
What Factors Affect the Price of Leaf Removal?
A quick cleanup of a lightly covered lawn will cost far less than removing thick layers of leaves from a large, tree-filled property. Here’s a closer look at what can affect your final bill:
1. Cost by Yard Size
The average cost for leaf removal is $160 to $290 for a standard 1/4-acre yard.
These prices also vary depending on the number of trees on the property. Still, a large yard usually means more trees and, thus, more leaves to be removed, whereas a smaller yard will usually have fewer trees.
The prices below can help you make an estimate based on your property size.
| Project Size | Average Overall Cost |
| 1/6 acre | $115 – $185 |
| 1/5 acre | $140 – $215 |
| 1/4 acre | $160 – $290 |
| 1/2 acre | $230 – $475 |
| 3/4 acre | $305 – $710 |
| 1 acre | $410 – $925 |
2. Cost by Type of Leaf Removal
Three different types of leaf removal methods can help you clean your yard, and each has its own cost.
Most professionals charge a minimum fee of $80 for a leaf removal service, regardless of how many hours they spend on the job.
| Type of Leaf Removal | Average Cost Per Hour |
| Leaf Raking | $25 – $50 |
| Leaf Blowing | $15 – $45 |
| Leaf Vacuum | $37 – $60 |
Leaf Raking
When raking leaves, you or a pro collects leaves into piles for pickup and disposal with a rake. Leaf raking has many benefits: It makes the yard look neat and tidy, doesn’t hurt your lawn, and prevents pests from making your yard their home.
However, it can be exhausting, and leaf raking service costs range from $25 to $50 per hour. In addition, if you’re planning to bag and dispose of the leaves, you might be charged an additional fee for that (between $5 and $10 per bag).
Leaf Blowing
Leaf blowing is one of the best decisions you can make to keep your lawn healthy without too much work. A leaf blower costs between $80 and $420, or you can hire a professional leaf-blowing service for between $15 and $45 per hour. In addition, you may also need to pay between $5 and $10 per bag to dispose of the leaves.
Leaf Vacuum
A leaf vacuum will automatically suck the leaves into a bag, which can be emptied when full, so you won’t have to rake the leaves afterward.
Professional leaf vacuuming costs $37 to $60 per hour, plus $5 to $10 per bag in disposal fees. However, there is an option to mulch the leaves with a mulching vacuum that shreds the leaves into small pieces, to eliminate the disposal fees and to reuse the leaf waste as mulch.
3. Tree Density
One of the most important cost factors for leaf removal is the number of trees on your property. Leaf removal costs typically increase significantly as the number of trees on your property increases. More trees mean more leaves to be removed and, as such, more time and labor.
4. Leaf Removal From Gutters
Leaves are a natural part of the fall season, but they can cause severe damage to your home if allowed to build up in your gutters. If you want to keep your house safe from water damage, keep your gutters free of clogs from debris and leaves.
Gutter cleaning costs an average of $1 to $1.30 per linear foot. You can also invest in leaf guards, which reduce the need to clean gutters. Leaf guards typically cost between $684 and $2,213, and they work like a cover that prevents leaves and other debris from clogging up your rain gutters.
LawnStarter Leaf Removal Prices in 50 Cities
Costs for leaf removal can vary by location. If you’re in a rural area, you can expect to pay less for labor than someone in a metropolitan area where there is a higher demand for workers and a higher cost of living. However, larger yard sizes in rural areas may increase overall costs.
The table below offers a snapshot of leaf removal costs in various cities across the country, based on LawnStarter data from July 2025 to July 2026:
How Much Does Leaf Removal Cost Per Year?
The cost of a leaf removal contract with a lawn care professional will depend on how often you need the service. For instance, you’ll pay less per visit if you have a bi-weekly contract, but it will cost you more per year.
Many lawn care companies offer seasonal contracts for fall leaf cleanup, which will give you a lower per-visit cost than if you were to hire a pro for a one-off job.
| Frequency | Average Costs Per Year |
| Annual Contract | $150 – $500 |
| One-time Visit | $200 – $850 |
| Quarterly Contract | $250 – $750 |
| Monthly Contract | $300 – $900 |
| Biweekly Contract (Every 2 Weeks) | $1,000 – $1,500 |
Which Leaf Removal Service Is Right for You?
Each platform has its strengths. Here’s when each one makes the most sense:
Choose LawnStarter if…
You want a straightforward booking experience with instant quotes, background-checked local pros, and a satisfaction guarantee. It’s a strong choice for homeowners who value convenience, accountability, and customer protections.
Choose Lawn Guru if…
You need leaf removal fast. Lawn Guru specializes in on-demand service and is a good fit for homeowners looking for same-day or next-day availability.
Choose Lawn Love if…
You want an easy way to book leaf removal and other gardening services through a single platform. It’s a good option for homeowners who value convenience and ongoing outdoor maintenance.
Choose Thumbtack or Angi if…
You prefer to compare multiple quotes before hiring. These platforms are ideal for one-time leaf removal projects and homeowners searching for a new local provider.
Choose GreenPal if…
Finding the lowest price is your top priority. GreenPal’s bidding system lets multiple pros compete for your business, making it a good choice for homeowners who don’t mind comparing offers.
The LawnStarter Difference
More than 100,000 homeowners have used LawnStarter to find local professionals for lawn care, seasonal cleanups, and other outdoor services.
- Instant online pricing. Get a quote in minutes and know the cost before scheduling your leaf removal service.
- Screened local pros. LawnStarter works with background-checked service providers and tracks customer feedback to help maintain quality standards.
- Convenient booking options. Schedule a one-time leaf cleanup or arrange recurring visits throughout the fall season.
- Satisfaction guarantee. If something isn’t right, notify LawnStarter within 5 days, and we’ll work to resolve the issue through a re-service or refund.
- $2 Million Property Protection Pledge. Customers receive protection against accidental property damage during a service visit.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro: The Honest Math
You can remove leaves yourself if you’ve got the energy and motivation. It’s not a difficult task, but this can be physically demanding work. So, if you’re not up for a workout, we recommend hiring a leaf removal pro to do it for you.
You can remove leaves using a rake, which costs around $25, or a leaf blower or leaf vacuum, which cost around $150. The chances of straining your back while using a blower and a vacuum are lower than with a rake.
For more information, check out our guides:
– 16 Tips for Cleaning Up Leaves in Your Yard
– How to Clean Up Wet Leaves in Your Yard
– Best Tools to Use to Collect Autumn Leaves
FAQ
A leaf vacuum with a shredder inside makes short work of your leaf problem. Shredding the leaves lets you use them as mulch.
You can also use a mulching mower to mow over the leaves until they are shredded to about 1/2 inch in size and use the leaves to add nutrients back into the soil.
If you don’t clean up leaves, you are throwing away all the hard work you’ve put into your lawn. A thick layer of leaves can prevent the lawn from absorbing nutrients and sunlight, and those leaves can be a good place for pests, such as spiders and armyworms, to hide.
In addition, if you let too much moisture build up under the leaves, you could end up with mold or mildew. All of these factors will have an impact on your yard’s health and appearance.
When to Hire a Pro
Leaf removal can be quite a task during the fall, but luckily, you don’t have to tackle that problem alone.
If you need a professional and are looking for the best way to get the job done, it’s not hard to find quality and affordable lawn care in your area.
Contact a local leaf removal service to ensure a healthy and appealing lawn. LawnStarter also has pros for mowing, bush trimming, and other landscaping services.
Read More:
– Mowing Cost Guide
– Aeration Cost Guide
– Dethatching Cost Guide
– What to Expect When You Hire a Leaf Removal Service
Main Image: Pile of fall leaves with rake on lawn. Image Credit: Sasha / Adobe Stock
