Artificial can run from $6 sq/ft to about $12 for higher end stuff.. I like it.. we've had some installed on projects in the past
I think this product was about $8
it's a pretty easy install, they need reasonable drainage below, they pack about 4" of road base down, tamp it, then install the grass. They pin it down ever 2" with galvanized spikes, then lay 1lb of sand per square foot in order to keep the blades upright and the matt weighed down.
Chafer/Dune bugs are really fucking annoying.