Most homeowners in the US pay between $385 and $1,070 to remove a tree, and the national average is about $850, according to Lawn Love’s 2026 tree removal cost guide. That is a useful starting point, but your local price can land well above or below it. The same 50-foot oak can cost a lot more in a crowded city with strict permit rules than it does on a rural lot in a lower-cost state.
This guide shows tree removal cost by state and by major city using published 2025 and 2026 data, explains why tree removal costs more in some areas, and gives you a simple plan for getting a fair price where you live. If you already know your tree’s height and species, you can also run the numbers in our tree removal cost by size and type calculator.
National Average Tree Removal Cost and Cost by Height
Height is the single biggest driver of price everywhere in the country. Taller trees need more climbing, more rigging, more cutting time, and more cleanup. Lawn Love puts the national average at about $850, with most jobs between $385 and $1,070. Very small jobs can be as low as $230, and very large ones can reach $2,000 or more. Lawn Love also gives a rough rate of $9.50 to $14.50 per foot of tree height.
| Tree height | Typical cost range |
|---|---|
| Up to 30 feet | $285 to $435 |
| 30 to 60 feet | $435 to $870 |
| 60 to 80 feet | $870 to $1,160 |
| Over 80 feet | $1,160 to $2,000 |
These are national figures. Use them to check whether a quote is in the right ballpark, then adjust for your area using the state and city data below. For trees over 60 feet, see our full guide to large tree removal cost.
Tree Removal Cost by State
Very few cost guides publish a full 50-state table for tree removal. The most useful current state-level data we could verify comes from Angi’s tree removal cost guide (2025 data), which lists average ranges for 10 states plus Washington, D.C. Angi’s national average is $750 per tree, a little lower than Lawn Love’s, so compare each state to Angi’s own national figure rather than mixing the two sources.
| State | Average cost range |
|---|---|
| California | $650 to $1,300 |
| Colorado | $350 to $650 |
| Florida | $750 to $1,500 |
| Illinois | $535 to $730 |
| Maine | $515 to $700 |
| New York | $750 to $1,100 |
| North Carolina | $600 to $900 |
| Texas | $300 to $850 |
| Washington | $550 to $800 |
| Washington, D.C. | $250 to $700 |
If your state is not on this list, look at the closest state with a similar climate, tree mix, and cost of living, and then check the city data below.
Tree Removal Cost in Major US Cities
Angi also lists cost ranges for 11 large cities. City prices are often more useful than state averages, because a state like Texas or California has a huge spread between big metro areas and small towns.
| City | Average cost range |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $600 to $1,100 |
| Chicago, IL | $600 to $1,050 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $575 to $1,025 |
| San Jose, CA | $600 to $1,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $550 to $1,000 |
| San Diego, CA | $550 to $950 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $525 to $925 |
| Houston, TX | $500 to $900 |
| Dallas, TX | $475 to $875 |
| San Antonio, TX | $450 to $850 |
| St. Paul, MN | $450 to $850 |
Other guides show the same pattern with wider ranges. HomeGuide’s city price list, for example, puts Boston at $400 to $2,700 per tree and New York at $400 to $2,600, while Virginia Beach is $290 to $1,950. HomeGuide lists Atlanta at $330 to $2,250 per tree. For a closer look at one Southern metro, see our Atlanta tree removal cost guide. Outside the US, prices work differently again, so check our pages on tree removal cost in Canada and tree removal cost in the UK.
Why Tree Removal Costs More in Some Areas
Two quotes for the same size tree can be hundreds of dollars apart just because of where the tree is. These are the main reasons prices differ by region.
Labor costs and cost of living
Tree work is mostly labor. Crews are paid more in high-cost areas, and that shows up in your bill. Lawn Love notes that Southern states are generally cheaper than Northern states and that urban removals usually cost more than rural ones, because city worksites are more cramped. The city figures above reflect this: the most expensive ranges in both the Angi and HomeGuide lists are in large Northeastern and West Coast metros.
Tree species and typical size in the region
Each region grows different trees. Lawn Love’s species prices show how much this matters: palm removal runs $310 to $475, oak $380 to $1,160, maple $570 to $1,305, pine $475 to $1,450, and cedar $570 to $1,740. An area full of tall pines or big hardwoods will have a higher typical bill than an area where most yard trees are smaller ornamentals or palms.
Storm and hurricane seasons
Demand jumps after storms. The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30, with an official peak on September 10, according to Fox Weather, citing the National Hurricane Center. Angi notes that emergency removal comes at a premium when services are in high demand, and that paying as much as $5,000 in an urgent situation is not unheard of. Lawn Love lists emergency removal at $450 to $3,000. Coastal and storm-prone states see these spikes more often.
Permit rules
Some cities and states require a permit, an arborist report, or replacement trees before you can remove a tree. Angi says permits typically cost $60 to $150 and that an arborist report, when required, runs about $860. HomeGuide gives a wider permit range of $75 to $450 depending on location. These extra costs are common in cities with tree protection ordinances and rare in many rural counties.
Disposal and hauling fees
Getting rid of the wood costs money too. HomeGuide puts debris removal at $75 to $250 per dump trip and landfill or recycling fees at $30 to $100 per ton. Lawn Love lists debris hauling at $100 to $200 and chipping at $75 to $125 per hour. Local landfill rates and green waste rules change these numbers from place to place.
Access and travel
A tree in an open backyard is cheaper to remove than one wedged between a house, a fence, and power lines. HomeGuide notes that obstacles like buildings and power lines can limit crane and machine use. Rural homes may also pay a travel charge: Angi lists about $0.50 per mile or a flat $50 to $200. If your tree is close to utility lines, read our guide to tree removal near power lines cost first.
Regional Notes
The notes below combine the sourced state and city figures above with general patterns. Where no number is given, treat it as a general guide rather than a price.
Northeast
Expect higher labor rates and tighter urban lots. Angi lists New York at $750 to $1,100 and New York City at $600 to $1,100, while Maine is lower at $515 to $700. Older neighborhoods often have very large, mature hardwoods close to houses, which adds rigging time.
Southeast
Angi’s highest state range is Florida at $750 to $1,500, and North Carolina sits at $600 to $900. Hurricane season and frequent storms keep demand high in coastal areas. Tall pines are common across much of the region, while palms in Florida are often cheaper to remove because of their size and structure.
Midwest
Prices tend to sit near the middle. Angi lists Illinois at $535 to $730, Chicago at $600 to $1,050, and St. Paul at $450 to $850. Large shade trees such as maples and ash are common, and severe summer storms can create short bursts of emergency demand.
Southwest
Texas has a wide range at $300 to $850 per Angi, with Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio all between $450 and $900. Phoenix is listed at $525 to $925. Many yards in dry areas have smaller trees, but big live oaks and pecans in parts of Texas can push a single job well above average.
West Coast
California is one of the more expensive states in Angi’s data at $650 to $1,300, with San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego all in the $550 to $1,000 range. Today’s Homeowner points out that some states protect certain species, such as California’s protected oaks, which need special permits. That paperwork adds time and cost.
Pacific Northwest
Angi lists Washington at $550 to $800. The region is known for very tall conifers like Douglas fir and cedar, and tall trees cost more everywhere. Cities here can also have strict rules. Portland, for example, requires an Urban Forestry permit to remove a private tree 12 inches or more in diameter at breast height, and any Heritage Tree regardless of size, according to the City of Portland.
Permits Vary by City
Permit rules are set mostly at the city or county level, not the state level, so two towns in the same state can have completely different rules. A few examples:
- Portland, Oregon: a permit is required for private trees 12 inches DBH or larger, for Heritage Trees, and for all street trees, per the City of Portland.
- Atlanta, Georgia: the City of Atlanta Arborist Division handles private-property removals either under a building permit or through an application for trees that are dead, dying, diseased, or hazardous, and it posts properties before removal so the public can appeal.
- Typical permit fees: $60 to $150 per Angi, or $75 to $450 depending on location per HomeGuide.
Always call your city or county before work starts. Removing a protected tree without a permit can lead to fines and replacement costs that are far higher than the permit itself. Our guide on whether you need a permit to cut down a tree on your property walks through the questions to ask.
How to Get a Fair Local Price
National and state averages only go so far. Here is how to make sure the quote you accept is fair for your area:
- Get at least three written bids. HomeGuide recommends comparing at least three, with an itemized bid and a written contract.
- Ask what is included. Check whether stump grinding, hauling, and log removal are in the price. Lawn Love lists stump removal at $180 to $525 extra.
- Check insurance and credentials. Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers’ comp, and look for ISA or TCIA certification, as HomeGuide advises.
- Book outside storm season if you can. Today’s Homeowner says winter removal can save up to 10%.
- Group jobs together. Removing several trees or adding trimming in one visit can lower the per-tree cost.
- Be careful with the lowest bid. HomeGuide warns that very low quotes can signal poor work, and you should never pay the full amount upfront.
If price is your top concern, our guide to finding the cheapest tree cutting service near you covers safe ways to save without hiring an uninsured crew.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average tree removal cost in my state?
It depends on your state and city. Angi’s 2025 data ranges from $300 to $850 in Texas to $750 to $1,500 in Florida. Nationally, Lawn Love puts the average at about $850, with most jobs between $385 and $1,070.
Which states have the most expensive tree removal?
In Angi’s state list, Florida ($750 to $1,500), California ($650 to $1,300), and New York ($750 to $1,100) have the highest ranges. Large Northeastern and West Coast cities also top most city price lists.
Why does tree removal cost more in some areas?
The main reasons are higher labor costs, larger typical trees, storm-driven demand, local permit rules, disposal fees, and harder access on crowded city lots. Rural homes can also pay travel fees.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in my city?
Maybe. Rules are set locally. Portland, for example, requires a permit for private trees 12 inches in diameter or larger. Permits usually cost $60 to $150 according to Angi, but can be higher in some cities.
Is emergency tree removal more expensive?
Yes. Lawn Love lists emergency removal at $450 to $3,000, and Angi says urgent jobs can reach $5,000 when demand is high, such as after a hurricane or major storm.
Sources: Lawn Love, How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in 2026?; Angi, How Much Does Tree Removal Cost? (2025 data); HomeGuide, Tree Removal Cost; Today’s Homeowner, Tree Removal Cost; Fox Weather, Why Atlantic Hurricane Season Runs From June to November; City of Portland, Do I Need a Permit to Remove Trees on Private Property?; City of Atlanta, Arborist Division.
Last updated: November 3, 2026.