Benchmark
The national baseline
Every regional figure below is expressed against this. A 50 ft hardwood tree is used as the comparison because it sits in the middle of the size range and grows in every state.
| Job size | Height | National range | National avg. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Under 25 ft | $150 – $450 | $300 |
| Medium | 25 – 50 ft | $450 – $1,200 | $825 |
| Large | 50 – 80 ft | $1,200 – $2,500 | $1,850 |
| Extra large | 80 ft + | $2,500 – $5,000 | $3,750 |
Source: Angi, HomeGuide, LawnLove. National averages current as of September 2026 across all species.
Regional cost index
These multipliers apply to the national averages above. A 1.00 index means the region matches the national figure.
| Region | Index | 50 ft hardwood | What drives it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii & Alaska | 1.40 – 1.80 | $2,600 – $3,300 | Isolation, freight on equipment and disposal, thin competition |
| California | 1.25 – 1.45 | $2,300 – $2,700 | High labor rates, strict permits, dense urban access, native-tree protections |
| Northeast NY, MA, CT, NJ | 1.20 – 1.40 | $2,200 – $2,600 | High labor rates, mature hardwood canopy, tight urban lots |
| Pacific Northwest WA, OR | 1.10 – 1.30 | $2,000 – $2,400 | Towering conifers, strict permit regimes, high labor rates |
| Mid-Atlantic MD, VA, PA | 1.05 – 1.20 | $1,950 – $2,200 | Moderate labor rates, mixed hardwood and pine |
| Mountain West CO, UT, AZ, NV | 0.95 – 1.15 | $1,750 – $2,100 | Fewer large trees, lower density, variable access |
| Midwest OH, MI, IL, MN | 0.85 – 1.00 | $1,550 – $1,850 | Lower labor rates, easy suburban access, strong competition |
| Plains KS, NE, IA, OK | 0.80 – 0.95 | $1,450 – $1,750 | Lower tree density, fewer specialists, low labor rates |
| Southeast GA, TN, NC, SC | 0.80 – 0.95 | $1,450 – $1,750 | Pine-dominated, busy crews, low mobilization costs |
| Deep South MS, AL, AR, LA | 0.70 – 0.85 | $1,300 – $1,550 | Lowest labor rates nationally, abundant local competition |
Composite indices modelled from published regional cost surveys. Multipliers apply to the national average for a 50 ft hardwood tree.
Why species mix changes regional prices
The dominant tree species in a region sets its baseline price more than labor rates do. A region full of pine is a cheaper place to remove trees than one full of oak.
| Region | Dominant species | Price effect |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast / Midwest | Oak, maple, hickory, ash | Pushes prices up, since dense hardwoods dominate |
| Southeast | Pine, sweetgum, water oak | Pushes prices down, since pine is fast and light |
| Pacific Northwest | Douglas fir, cedar, hemlock | Neutral on species, but extreme heights add cost |
| Southwest / Florida | Palm, mesquite, eucalyptus | Cheapest common species, palms especially |
| Mountain West | Aspen, cottonwood, spruce | Fewer large specimens; lower tree density overall |
| Plains | Cottonwood, elm, hackberry | Lower tree density means fewer specialists compete |
The urban premium
Within any state, the city-versus-suburb gap usually exceeds the state-to-state gap. This is the most commonly underestimated cost factor in the country.
| Setting | Multiplier | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Rural property, open access | 0.75 – 0.90 | Room to drop the tree whole, chipper parks beside it, no rigging needed. |
| Suburban yard, normal access | 1.00 | The baseline case most quotes assume. |
| Suburban, tight rear yard | 1.20 – 1.40 | Gate access only, no chipper nearby, everything carried out by hand. |
| Dense urban lot | 1.40 – 1.80 | No drop zone, rigging mandatory, traffic control, parking permits. |
| Tree overhanging a structure | 1.50 – 2.00 | Crane or full rigging, plus the liability exposure that comes with it. |
How to use this page. Find your region above, apply the index to the national average for your tree’s size, then apply the access multiplier. A 50 ft hardwood in suburban Ohio is roughly $1,850 × 0.90 = $1,665. The same tree tight against a house in San Francisco is $1,850 × 1.60 = $2,960. Same tree, same work, 1.8× the price.
Then sanity-check with the calculator. These are modelled ranges for planning. The calculator gives you a size-specific estimate, and three local quotes give you the real number.
Common questions
Regional tree removal pricing: frequently asked questions
- Hawaii and Alaska are consistently the most expensive, driven by isolation and freight costs on equipment and disposal. Expect 40–80% above the national average. Among mainland states, California, New York, Massachusetts and Washington run highest, typically 25–45% above average, driven by labor rates and dense urban access constraints.
- The lowest costs cluster in the Southeast and Midwest. Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee and Oklahoma commonly run 15–30% below the national average. Lower labor rates, abundant local competition and easier site access all push prices down. Southern states also benefit from high tree density, which keeps crews busy and mobilization costs low.
- Access, not labor rates, is usually the driver. In a dense city, crews cannot park a chipper near the tree, cannot drop limbs into open space, and often must rig everything down by rope or use a crane. Add permit requirements, traffic control and tight property lines, and the same tree can cost 50–100% more than in a suburban yard.
- Yes, and it directly affects price. The Northeast and Midwest are dominated by hardwoods such as oak, maple and hickory, which sit at the top of the price range. The Southeast has more pine, which is cheaper to remove. The Southwest and Florida have palms, the cheapest common species. A “typical” removal in Georgia and one in Massachusetts are genuinely different jobs.
- A 50 ft hardwood tree runs roughly $1,300 in Mississippi and $2,400 in California, nearly double. National averages are a starting point, not a quote. Always get local estimates, and treat any national figure as a sanity check rather than a price.
Related pricing
Once you have a regional figure, drill into the specific tree or service.
Get quotes from local arborists
Regional averages are a planning tool, not a quote. Three local estimates will land far closer to your actual price than any national table.
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