Your lawn might be killing your budget. If you live in the Southwest, you’re feeling the pain more than most.
New research from lawn-care service company Lawn Love reveals residents in certain cities are watching their water bills skyrocket as they struggle to keep their grass alive in increasingly harsh conditions.
Lawn Love analyzed 500 cities using metrics including water bill affordability, yard sizes, drought risks and grass water requirements.
Its findings paint a stark picture: 47% of ranked cities receive less than 3 inches of monthly rain, which is well below the 4 to 6 inches most lawn grasses need.
Arizona cities claimed four of the top five spots for the most expensive lawn watering costs. The desert state has 12 of the 15 priciest locations overall, while California makes up 51% of the top 100 most expensive cities.
Here are the top 15 cities where lawn watering is most expensive, according to the ranking:
- Buckeye, Arizona
- Goodyear, Arizona
- Brownsville, Texas
- Yuma, Arizona
- Tucson, Arizona
- Surprise, Arizona
- Mission, Texas
- Avondale, Arizona
- Glendale, Arizona
- Gilbert, Arizona
- Bakersfield, California
- Mesa, Arizona
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- Chandler, Arizona
A convergence of brutal factors is driving watering costs through the roof: triple-digit temperature days, minimal rainfall and warm-season grasses that demand constant hydration. Buckeye residents see just 0.6 inches of rain monthly while enduring 170 very hot days annually.
Some Arizona cities — like Goodyear and Phoenix — are increasing water utility rates as dwindling Colorado River supplies meet increasing demand.
Desert states aren’t alone in this struggle, either.
Brownsville, Texas, landed at No. 3, with households spending 1.09% of their income on water. That’s the highest percentage in the nation. The city’s Stage 2 drought rules compound the financial burden, and 20 Texas cities placed in the top 100 most expensive overall.
Where lawns are cheapest to water
While Southwest residents struggle with mounting costs, homeowners in cooler, wetter regions are catching significant breaks. Here are the 10 cities where it’s most affordable to maintain a grassy lawn:
- Washington, D.C.
- New York, New York
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Columbus, Ohio
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Alexandria, Virginia
- Fargo, North Dakota
- Akron, Ohio
- Parma, Ohio
- Toledo, Ohio
The advantages of the most affordable spots are frequent rainfall and milder temperatures that keep grass happy without constant irrigation.
Meanwhile, every Utah city in the ranking fell into the cheaper half, despite the entire state experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions.
The Pacific Northwest’s traditional “rain discount” still holds for now, with Beaverton, Oregon and Seattle residents enjoying lower watering costs. However, both Washington and Oregon recently expanded drought emergencies, suggesting this advantage might not last.
Making smarter lawn decisions
If you’re house hunting, these rankings could significantly influence where you put down roots. Maintaining a lawn in a drought-driven state like Arizona could mean hefty water costs every year.
For current residents in expensive areas, it might be time to consider alternatives. Many Arizona homeowners have already embraced xeriscaping by using drought-tolerant plants, rocks, and minimal grass to create attractive, water-wise landscapes.
As climate patterns shift and water becomes scarcer, that perfect green lawn increasingly looks like a luxury fewer Americans can justify. The question isn’t whether to adapt, but how quickly you’ll make the switch.
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