How Much Does Yard Cleanup Cost in Chicago, IL? [2026 Data]

Chicago, IL’s higher cost of living pushes yard cleanup costs slightly higher for local homeowners. The average yard cleanup cost in Chicago, IL, is $373, with most projects ranging from $207 to $622. Below, we’ll explore how factors such as your yard size, service type, and local labor rates affect your total.

Yard Cleanup Cost Factors 

When budgeting for yard cleanup in Chicago, IL, your yard size, the service type and frequency, and the season will have the biggest impact on your total costs.

Yard Size

Yard cleanup costs between $0.02 and $0.11 per square foot, with the lower end of that range reflecting standard yard debris (like leaves and fallen sticks) and the higher end including junk. 

In either case, the larger your lot size, the more you’ll pay for the cleanup. Where in that range your total falls depends on what and how much debris you need removed, but this is a good place to start to nail down an accurate budget.

Services

The true cost of yard cleanup depends on which services you need to get your lawn looking its best. Here are some examples of the most common yard cleanup services and what you could pay for them.

Frequency

If you have a few trees that cause trouble—such as ones that drop fruit, acorns, and slippery flower petals—it can be helpful to have a yard cleanup team regularly service your property. 

Much like home cleaning services, many landscapers will offer package pricing for pre-scheduled visits, which keeps the per-service cost lower. In the end, you may end up getting more for your money if you find and hire a dependable team for regular services.

Season

There's no question that every lawn needs a bit of attention coming out of the winter or right after all the leaves fall in autumn. Season-specific lawn care services can add to the cost— think fall lawn care services like mulching, thatching, and aeration.

Landscaping Pro Costs

Chicago, IL, landscaping pros often follow one of three pricing models. Hourly rates, ranging from $40 to $70 per hour, are the most common, while flat rate fees of $100 to $400 are often used for small projects. Some larger or more extensive projects may follow per-square-foot pricing, with rates ranging from $0.02 to $0.11 per square foot.

If your project involves pesticide application, confirm with your pro that they hold the proper Commercial Applicator license from the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Jobs involving tree removal may also require a permit from the Chicago Bureau of Forestry or the Department of Buildings.

Does Yard Cleanup Increase Home Value?

Professional yard cleanup offers a strong 100% to 200% return on investment (ROI) for Chicago, IL homeowners. The city’s dense tree canopy and brutal winters leave behind heavy debris, making yard cleanup essential for maintaining curb appeal and making a positive first impression on buyers. A clean, well-maintained yard can boost your home's resale value and help it stand out in the competitive resale market.

How Angi Gets Its Local Cost Data 

To help homeowners plan their next project, Angi provides readers with carefully researched cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We start with national average project costs, which we collect by analyzing competitor information, retailer material costs, and input from professional contractors. We then apply local price index data to calculate location-specific estimates that reflect what homeowners typically pay in their local area. To do that, we use data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), including its Regional Price Parities (RPPs), which measure price differences across cities. This helps us account for differences in labor, materials, and overall cost of living, so estimates in higher- or lower-cost areas better reflect real-world local pricing.

Every estimate undergoes a thorough editorial review to verify accuracy, consistency, and alignment with observed market conditions.

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.