The price difference between a metal outdoor bench and a wooden one isn’t a single fixed number because it depends on the type of metal or wood, the build quality, and where you shop. That said, entry-level metal benches are often cheaper than solid hardwood benches, while premium metal and premium wood can overlap quite a bit.
As a rough guide, basic powder-coated steel benches usually run about $70 to $180. Aluminum benches tend to land between $120 and $400, depending on cast versus tubular construction and cushion quality. Wrought iron or heavier cast aluminum pieces often start around $200 and can reach $700 or more.
For wooden benches, softwoods like pine or fir are usually the most affordable, often $90 to $250. Mid-range woods such as acacia, eucalyptus, or cedar typically cost $120 to $450. Teak is the high end: a solid teak bench commonly starts around $300 and can easily go past $800 or $1,200 for quality construction.
So the price gap often looks like this: a budget metal bench can be $100 less than a teak bench of similar size, but a good cedar bench may cost about the same as a mid-range aluminum bench. The biggest gap is usually between cheap steel or aluminum and premium teak or hardwood.
The reason comes down to materials and labor. Metal benches are often mass-produced, and powder-coated steel is relatively inexpensive. Wood prices vary hugely by species, density, weather resistance, and whether the wood is responsibly sourced. Teak is expensive because it is naturally oily, rot-resistant, and long-lasting. Solid hardwood also requires more milling, joinery, and finishing than bending or welding metal tubing.
Maintenance costs matter too. A cheap metal bench may need rust touch-ups over time, while a wooden bench may need cleaning, sanding, and sealing every year or two unless you let it weather. Over five to ten years, a $150 softwood bench that needs regular care can end up costing more in time and supplies than a $250 aluminum bench that just needs washing.
If you want the best value, compare similar sizes and weights. Ask whether the metal is powder-coated aluminum or steel, and whether the wood is solid hardwood or softwood. In many cases, the price difference between metal and wood is smaller than the price difference between low-quality and high-quality versions of either material.
Bottom line: expect cheap metal benches to be the least expensive option, mid-range metal and mid-range wood to be close in price, and premium wood—especially teak—to cost noticeably more than most metal benches.