Stop in for a cup of coffee

Was at Lowe's yesterday and looked at the zero turns while we there. Holy smoke glad I get a 10% military discount...pays for the sales tax.
A 54 inch JD was $4800. The other brands weren't much cheaper. Big jump in price between the 48 and 54 inch deck.
I'm thinking with 2 acres plus what's the real difference and go with the smaller deck??
I have maybe half acre of actual mowing. Was a big difference going from a 42 to a 50. 'Garden tractor', not a zero turn. The zero could make a big difference in time it takes to mow.