Oregon Homeowners Sitting on Backyards Worth Half a Million Each
Oregon homeowners have the seventh most expensive backyards in the U.S., with the average yard worth more than half a million dollars.
This data is revealed in a study conducted by R&T Fence, a fence installation company, which analyzed yard values across all 50 states.
To arrive at the 10 states with the most expensive backyards, researchers compared property sizes, values, and the proportion of land that consists of outdoor space, rather than built structures.
Land Values Driven by Strong Demand and Rising Home Prices
Land value remains high in Oregon, driven by rising home prices and strong demand. The average price of a backyard in the state is $42.34 per square foot, with home prices averaging $599,096 and backyards comprising more than 83.5% of the property.
The combination of moderately sized backyards, substantial land and building costs, and competitive housing values makes Oregon’s yard prices well above rural areas in many inland states, leading to notable per-square-foot yard prices in the state.
Overall, property values are amplified by construction costs. Custom homes in premium Oregon markets cost between $350 and $550 per square foot, while typical build prices range from $150 to $250 per square foot, and builder-grade homes from $250 to $350 per square foot.
Top 10 states with the most expensive backyards
| Rank | State | Average yard size (sq. ft.) | Average yard value | Average yard price per sq. ft. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 7,811 | $627,365.22 | $80.32 |
| 2 | Hawaii | 9,907 | $764,115.31 | $77.13 |
| 3 | New York | 9,933 | $533,817.09 | $53.74 |
| 4 | Washington | 11,285 | $591,550.89 | $52.42 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 12,693 | $616,003.95 | $48.53 |
| 6 | Maryland | 7,599 | $367,294.43 | $48.33 |
| 7 | Oregon | 11,821 | $500,484.43 | $42.34 |
| 8 | New Jersey | 8,953 | $376,082.37 | $42.01 |
| 9 | Colorado | 14,812 | $574,193.02 | $38.77 |
| 10 | Florida | 11,043 | $427,335.47 | $38.70 |
The Priciest Backyards Are in California
The research found that California has the priciest backyards in the country, with an average of $80.32 per square foot. With relatively small average yard sizes of 7,811 square feet, California homeowners pay premium prices for significantly less outdoor space than residents in most other states.
At the opposite end of the scale is Alaska, where garden space averages $2.15 per square foot.