Honestly, if you are only looking at the initial purchase price, a treated wood urban bench is usually cheaper upfront. Depending on the design and supplier, recycled plastic benches often cost 15% to 40% more at the start. But the real cost comparison changes once you think about how long the bench will be sitting outside and who is going to maintain it.
Treated wood benches have a lower first cost, but they need regular upkeep. They should be cleaned, sanded, re-stained or resealed, and eventually repaired when boards crack, warp, or rot. In a wet or humid climate, treated wood can start showing real wear in five to eight years. Graffiti can also soak into the wood, making it harder to remove cleanly.
Recycled plastic benches cost more upfront because the material is dense, heavy, and designed for heavy public use. They do not need painting, sealing, or staining, and they resist moisture, salt air, insects, and splintering. Most maintenance is simply washing off dirt or graffiti. While installation can be slightly more expensive because the benches are heavier, the long-term maintenance bill is much lower.
Over a 10- to 20-year life cycle, many parks departments and municipalities find that a recycled plastic bench becomes the cheaper option after roughly 7 to 12 years, especially in coastal or high-traffic urban areas. For a short-term or low-budget project where upfront cost matters most, treated wood may still be the better choice. But for a permanent urban bench that needs to survive weather, heavy use, and limited maintenance staff, recycled plastic usually offers better total value.