Dumpster Rental Cost by City (2026)

Most & Least Expensive Cities in America

We analyzed 20-yard dumpster rental pricing across 960 US cities with populations over 50,000. The result: Americans in the most expensive markets pay 85% more than those in the cheapest — a $300 difference for the same size container.

$446

National average

20-yard dumpster

$685

Most expensive

San Francisco / NYC

$385

Least expensive

Arkansas / Mississippi

960

Cities analyzed

Pop. 50,000+

Methodology: Prices are for a standard 20-yard roll-off dumpster (the most popular size for residential projects) with 7-day rental included. Data covers cities with populations over 50,000 and is based on local market pricing from our database of 31,000+ US cities. Prices reflect typical ranges — actual quotes may vary by provider.

Most Expensive Cities for Dumpster Rental

California and New York dominate the top 25. San Francisco, NYC, and LA all top out at $685 for a 20-yard container — 53% above the national average.

#	City	State	20-Yard Price	vs. Avg
1	San Francisco	CA	$540–$685	+37%
2	New York City	NY	$540–$685	+37%
3	Los Angeles	CA	$540–$685	+37%
4	San Diego	CA	$540–$685	+37%
5	San Jose	CA	$540–$685	+37%
6	Sacramento	CA	$540–$685	+37%
7	Riverside	CA	$540–$685	+37%
8	Brooklyn	NY	$540–$685	+37%
9	Queens	NY	$540–$685	+37%
10	Manhattan	NY	$540–$685	+37%
11	Bronx	NY	$540–$685	+37%
12	Boston	MA	$515–$650	+31%
13	Honolulu	HI	$510–$650	+30%
14	Providence	RI	$505–$640	+28%
15	Buffalo	NY	$505–$635	+28%
16	Mission Viejo	CA	$505–$635	+28%
17	Fresno	CA	$505–$635	+28%
18	Bakersfield	CA	$505–$635	+28%
19	Rochester	NY	$505–$635	+28%
20	Albany	NY	$505–$635	+28%
21	Seattle	WA	$495–$630	+26%
22	Baltimore	MD	$495–$630	+26%
23	Anchorage	AK	$490–$625	+25%
24	Newark	NJ	$490–$620	+24%
25	Jersey City	NJ	$490–$620	+24%

Least Expensive Cities for Dumpster Rental

Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee dominate the bottom 25. Southaven, MS tops the list at just $305–$385 — 46% below the national average.

#	City	State	20-Yard Price	vs. Avg
1	Southaven	MS	$305–$385	-23%
2	Bentonville	AR	$310–$390	-22%
3	North Little Rock	AR	$310–$390	-22%
4	Rogers	AR	$310–$390	-22%
5	Conway	AR	$310–$390	-22%
6	Decatur	AL	$315–$395	-20%
7	Madison	AL	$315–$395	-20%
8	Owensboro	KY	$315–$400	-20%
9	Hattiesburg	MS	$315–$400	-20%
10	Charleston	WV	$320–$405	-19%
11	Fort Smith	AR	$320–$405	-19%
12	Enid	OK	$320–$405	-19%
13	Moore	OK	$320–$405	-19%
14	Jonesboro	AR	$320–$405	-19%
15	Springdale	AR	$320–$405	-19%
16	Tuscaloosa	AL	$325–$410	-17%
17	Bartlett	TN	$325–$410	-17%
18	Bossier City	LA	$325–$410	-17%
19	Hendersonville	TN	$325–$410	-17%
20	Kenner	LA	$325–$410	-17%
21	Morgantown	WV	$320–$405	-19%
22	Smyrna	TN	$325–$410	-17%
23	Collierville	TN	$325–$410	-17%
24	Little Rock	AR	$325–$415	-17%
25	Huntington	WV	$320–$405	-19%

Dumpster Rental Cost by State

Average 20-yard dumpster rental price by state, based on cities with populations over 50,000.

Most Expensive States

1	Hawaii	$553 avg	4 cities
2	New York	$548 avg	22 cities
3	Alaska	$536 avg	2 cities
4	California	$521 avg	190 cities
5	Rhode Island	$505 avg	4 cities
6	Washington D.C.	$503 avg	1 cities
7	Connecticut	$500 avg	13 cities
8	New Jersey	$498 avg	17 cities
9	Massachusetts	$492 avg	24 cities
10	Washington	$478 avg	30 cities

Cheapest States

1	Arkansas	$361 avg	9 cities
2	West Virginia	$363 avg	3 cities
3	Mississippi	$363 avg	4 cities
4	Alabama	$373 avg	12 cities
5	Kentucky	$379 avg	5 cities
6	Oklahoma	$383 avg	9 cities
7	South Dakota	$384 avg	2 cities
8	Tennessee	$385 avg	18 cities
9	Louisiana	$385 avg	14 cities
10	Georgia	$385 avg	23 cities

Why Dumpster Rental Costs Vary So Much by City

Six factors explain most of the price gap between the most and least expensive markets.

Landfill tipping feesImpact: High

The single biggest driver. California landfills charge $60–$100+ per ton; Arkansas landfills charge $20–$40 per ton. A full 20-yard dumpster holds 2–4 tons — that's a $160–$320 difference on landfill fees alone.

Permit requirementsImpact: High (urban areas)

NYC requires a DOT Right-of-Way permit ($135–$385) for street placement. LA, Boston, Seattle all require street permits. Most southern and rural cities require no permit at all, adding zero cost.

Fuel & transportationImpact: Medium

Landfill distance directly affects price. In dense metros, the nearest landfill may be 30–60 miles away and require highway tolls. In rural areas, a landfill may be 5–10 miles away.

Labor costsImpact: Medium

Driver wages in California average $22–$28/hr vs $15–$18/hr in Mississippi. Higher minimum wages and cost of living cascade into rental prices.

Competition & market densityImpact: Medium

Cities with more dumpster rental providers tend to have lower prices due to competition. Many rural southern markets have 2–3 providers; major metros have dozens.

Environmental regulationsImpact: Low–Medium

States with stricter waste sorting, recycling diversion, or hazardous waste requirements add compliance costs. California's strict environmental regulations are a notable example.

Key Takeaways

✓The national average for a 20-yard dumpster rental is $446 with 7 days included.
✓The most expensive markets (SF, NYC, LA) charge $540–$685 — 53% above average.
✓The cheapest markets (Arkansas, Mississippi) charge $305–$390 — 32% below average.
✓Hawaii, New York, and Alaska are the most expensive states on average.
✓Arkansas, West Virginia, and Mississippi are the cheapest states on average.
✓Landfill tipping fees are the single biggest driver of price differences between cities.
✓Urban permit requirements can add $135–$385 per rental in cities like NYC.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average dumpster rental cost in the US?

The national average for a 20-yard dumpster rental (the most popular size) is $446 based on pricing data from 960 US cities with populations over 50,000. Prices range from $305 in the cheapest markets (rural South and Midwest) to $685 in the most expensive (California and New York City).

Which state has the most expensive dumpster rental?

Hawaii is the most expensive state for dumpster rental with an average 20-yard price of $553, followed by New York ($548 avg) and Alaska ($536 avg). California ranks 4th at $521 average but has the most expensive individual markets. High landfill fees, permit requirements, and limited competition drive prices in these states.

Which state has the cheapest dumpster rental?

Arkansas is the cheapest state for dumpster rental with an average 20-yard price of $361, followed by West Virginia ($363) and Mississippi ($363). Lower land costs, fewer regulations, lower landfill fees, and lower overall cost of living in these states keep prices down.

Why is dumpster rental so much more expensive in California and New York?

California and New York have higher dumpster rental prices for several reasons: (1) Higher landfill tipping fees — California landfills charge $60–$100+ per ton vs $20–$40 in cheaper states. (2) Permit requirements — NYC requires a DOT Right-of-Way permit ($135–$385) for street placement. (3) Higher labor, fuel, and equipment costs. (4) Stricter environmental regulations add compliance costs. (5) Higher demand in dense urban areas.

How can I find the cheapest dumpster rental in my city?

The best way to find cheap dumpster rental is to compare quotes from multiple local companies. Use our free quote tool to get prices from companies in your city. Tips: (1) Right-size your container — getting a 10-yard when you need 20 yards means two trips, which costs more. (2) Ask about all fees upfront — fuel surcharges, overage fees, and extended rental charges can add 20–40% to the base price. (3) Book early — last-minute orders often cost more.

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