Basic
$0.15 – $0.44 per sq ft
About 1/4 in. of screened yard-waste compost broadcast with a spreader across the lawn
How Much Does Compost Cost in Chicago, Illinois?
Compost topdressing spread on an existing lawn (about 1/4 in), per sq ft.
Compost in Chicago, Illinois typically costs $0.18 to $0.52 per sq ft as of 2026. Prices reflect local labor and material rates. Use our calculator below for a detailed, ZIP-code-adjusted estimate.
Compost in Chicago, Illinois
$0.18 – $0.52
per sq ftPrices in Chicago are 19.0% higher than the national average for compost.
National average: $0.15 – $0.45 per sq ft
What you get at each price level
Standard
$0.18 – $0.52 per sq ft
About 1/4 in. of screened compost spread with a topdresser and dragged into the turf
Premium
$0.22 – $0.65 per sq ft
About 1/4 in. of finely screened, lab-tested compost spread with a topdresser, dragged in and watered
Cost Breakdown in Chicago
| Component | Category | Price Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | material | $0.09 – $0.21 | sq ft |
| Labor | labor | $0.09 – $0.21 | sq ft |
| Supplies & Other | supplies | $0 – $0.05 | sq ft |
| Equipment & Disposal | equipment | $0 – $0.04 | sq ft |
Prices adjusted for Chicago local market conditions.
Compost photo examples
Pile of dark crumbly finished compost on a tray
Photo: lindsay.dee.bunny · CC BY 2.0 · Source
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Cost Factors in Chicago, Illinois
What Affects Pricing
- Materials ($0.08-$0.20 per square foot)
- Labor ($0.07-$0.16 per square foot)
- Supplies & Other ($0.00-$0.05 per square foot)
- Equipment & Disposal ($0.00-$0.04 per square foot)
Local Price Adjustments
Material costs7.0% above avg
Labor costs30.0% above avg
Labor costs in Chicago run proportionally higher than materials, which may favor material-heavy solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- How To Price A Top-Dressing Job | Earth & Turf, Earth & Turf, retrieved Nov 2026
- Top Dressing Lawn Cost: DIY vs. Pro Pricing 2026 | Barefoot Organics, Barefoot Organics, retrieved Nov 2026
- Construction wages by metro and rural area, used for the labor adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- Regional price parities for goods, used for the materials adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024
Get Free Estimates in Chicago
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