Best landscaping ROI by state — 2026.

What's the ROI on a new landscaping in 2026?

The 2026 national average ROI for a mid-grade landscaping is 50% at resale — for every $1.00 spent on new floors, the seller recoups about $0.50 when the home sells. Top-5 best-ROI states: Arizona (59%), Florida (59%), Texas (58%), Georgia (57%), Nevada (57%). These are hot Sunbelt growth markets where buyers actively reward turn-key listings and days-on-market is short enough that landscapings compound less carrying cost.

Which states have the lowest landscaping ROI?

Five states with the softest landscaping ROI in 2026: Alaska (36%), Maine (41%), New York (41%), Connecticut (43%), Massachusetts (43%). These markets have slower resale velocity and less buyer willingness to pay a premium for new floors specifically — landscaping is still a positive ROI move, just a smaller multiplier than in growth markets.

Does a new landscaping always pay back at sale?

No landscaping fully recoups at sale in any US state in 2026 — the best states return 73-75%, the worst around 58-60%. Landscapings are rarely about pure ROI; it's about reducing days-on-market and unlocking competing buyer offers. The right way to think about it: a $14K landscaping install that returns $9K isn't a $5K "loss" — it's a $5K cost to make the home sell 2-4 weeks faster and at the top of its price band rather than the middle.

Which landscaping material delivers the best ROI?

Engineered hardwood in the main rooms paired with luxury vinyl plank in wet areas (kitchens, baths, laundry) is the highest-ROI combo across nearly every state. Solid hardwood adds 5-8 percentage points of ROI over engineered in high-end markets (CA, NY, MA, CT), but adds nothing in mid-cost markets — buyers can't tell the difference and you've paid 40% more for the material. Carpet has the lowest ROI of any landscaping type (typically 35-45%).

When is the best time to install new floors before selling?

2-4 months before listing. That's enough time for any installation odors to clear and for the floors to settle through their first humidity cycle, but not so far in advance that the floors show wear before the listing photos are shot. Sellers who install 12+ months before listing typically see ROI 5-10 percentage points lower than the table above suggests, because the upgrade no longer reads as "brand new" to buyers.