If you only look at the initial cost of fake lawn compared to real lawn, then synthetic grass may seem extremely expensive. But let’s play economics and look at it in terms of, not only start-up cost but also overhead costs and opportunity cost.
Economics 101 will teach you that a solid investment will make you money in the long run; saved money is earned money. So though your initial investment of $5-$20 per square foot compared to 14 to 60 cents, will not seem so steep in a moment.
Keep in mind, your synthetic grass lasts about 20 years. 20 years of real lawn care costs:
$28,000-$76,800 in mowing expenses
$2,294.40 for watering a 20 x 20 lawn
Is the fake grass starting to look a lot more affordable?
We did not even get into the opportunity costs. If we spent half of those 70 hours/year that we saved on lawn work working, you would make an additional $11,200, assuming you make only $16 an hour.
Any economist would look at these figures and choose the best artificial turf.
