Whether you're looking for residential land on which to build your dream home or in which to invest, you might need to stretch your budget, depending on where you plan to buy.

The average price of residential land grew by 6.8% in 2020, faster than other types of land, and is expected to maintain that growth in 2021.

But which counties have the biggest price tags?

Lawn Love’s ranking of 2022’s Most Expensive Counties to Buy Residential Land compares the average price and estimated property tax on an acre of a single-family parcel in 300 of the biggest U.S. counties.

Surprising findings:

• Bank-breaking Bay Area: Ever dreamed of living next door to celebrities like Julia Roberts or Danny Glover? 
  
  A quick look on Zillow shows that you can — if you have $20.6 million. Like San Francisco’s steep roads, that’s the average price per acre of land — not including the mansion — in San Francisco County, California, the No. 1 priciest county in our ranking. 
  
  San Francisco County was the only one to earn over 90 points, about 30 more than the next most expensive county, thanks to being one of only two with lot prices averaging eight figures. 

• Kings and Queens of New York: You’ll need a king-sized wallet if you want to buy residential land in Kings County, New York (aka Brooklyn). In Kings County (No. 2), an acre will set you back an average of just under $13 million. With such exorbitant prices, it's no wonder the county’s overall score is more than 20 points higher than the next most expensive county.
  
  Take the subway up to Queens County (No. 6) and you’ll find similarly towering prices, slightly lower taxes, and even more rules to follow. 
  
  Moving farther away from the city gets you slightly better lot prices, but don’t expect taxes to be much better. 

• Southern savings: If you’re really hoping to settle down without breaking the bank, set your sights on the South. Montgomery County, Alabama, boasts the least expensive residential land, and you’ll find similar savings in other Alabama counties, as well as in South Carolina, Louisiana, and Tennessee. 
  
  What makes this region so affordable? These counties have lower land prices, lower taxes, less demand, and more available lots than other metros. You’ll also get more bang for your buck in these areas, where average yard sizes are significantly bigger than in pricier counties.

Our full ranking and analysis can be found here: https://lawnlove.com/blog/counties-with-most-expensive-land/