How this calculator works
This is the all-materials fence estimator. Pick a material, set the length and height, add your gates, and it adjusts for your state. For a specific material or style, the cluster has dedicated tools linked below.
What moves the number
- Material. Chain link is cheapest, then wood, vinyl, and aluminum. Each ratchets up in price and down in maintenance.
- Length. Cost is roughly linear per foot, so doubling the run roughly doubles the fence.
- Height. The ranges above are for 6 ft. The height selector applies a discount for 4 ft and a premium for 8 ft, since taller fences use more material and bigger posts.
- Gates. Each gate adds hardware and install labor; this tool uses a typical walk-gate amount per gate.
- Your state. Everything is multiplied by a state construction cost index built mainly from local labor rates.
DIY vs. hiring out
Roughly half of an installed fence price is labor — digging and setting posts is the hard part. Switch to DIY to see materials only, plus a small allowance for concrete, fasteners, and tool rental. Flat, soft ground makes DIY fencing realistic; rocky soil, slopes, and long runs argue for a crew with an auger. Either way, locate underground utilities before you dig and confirm the property line so the fence doesn’t end up on a neighbor’s side.
Looking at a specific material? See vinyl, chain link, or privacy fences.
2026 installed fence cost per linear foot (6 ft)
Per-linear-foot ranges are for a 6 ft fence. A 4 ft fence runs cheaper and an 8 ft fence costs more — the calculator applies that height factor for you.
| Option | Low (per linear ft) | High (per linear ft) | Typical (per linear ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood (cedar/pine) | $18 | $45 | $30 |
| Vinyl / PVC | $25 | $55 | $38 |
| Chain link | $10 | $30 | $16 |
| Aluminum / ornamental steel | $25 | $65 | $40 |
Estimated cost by state
Typical installed range for 150 ft of 6 ft wood fence with one gate, installed, adjusted by each state's construction cost index. Your actual project scales with the size and options you enter above.
| State | Estimated low | Estimated high |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $2,706 | $6,417 |
| Alaska | $3,496 | $8,292 |
| Arizona | $3,010 | $7,138 |
| Arkansas | $2,736 | $6,489 |
| California | $3,496 | $8,292 |
| Colorado | $2,979 | $7,066 |
| Connecticut | $3,192 | $7,571 |
| Delaware | $3,010 | $7,138 |
| District of Columbia | $3,131 | $7,426 |
| Florida | $2,858 | $6,777 |
| Georgia | $2,766 | $6,561 |
| Hawaii | $3,891 | $9,229 |
| Idaho | $3,010 | $7,138 |
| Illinois | $3,618 | $8,580 |
| Indiana | $3,131 | $7,426 |
| Iowa | $3,070 | $7,282 |
| Kansas | $2,979 | $7,066 |
| Kentucky | $3,010 | $7,138 |
| Louisiana | $2,827 | $6,705 |
| Maine | $3,010 | $7,138 |
| Maryland | $3,040 | $7,210 |
| Massachusetts | $3,557 | $8,436 |
| Michigan | $3,101 | $7,354 |
| Minnesota | $3,435 | $8,147 |
| Mississippi | $2,736 | $6,489 |
| Missouri | $3,283 | $7,787 |
| Montana | $3,131 | $7,426 |
| Nebraska | $3,040 | $7,210 |
| Nevada | $3,070 | $7,282 |
| New Hampshire | $3,070 | $7,282 |
| New Jersey | $3,587 | $8,508 |
| New Mexico | $2,766 | $6,561 |
| New York | $3,405 | $8,075 |
| North Carolina | $2,888 | $6,850 |
| North Dakota | $3,101 | $7,354 |
| Ohio | $3,131 | $7,426 |
| Oklahoma | $2,827 | $6,705 |
| Oregon | $3,131 | $7,426 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,101 | $7,354 |
| Rhode Island | $3,405 | $8,075 |
| South Carolina | $2,858 | $6,777 |
| South Dakota | $2,949 | $6,994 |
| Tennessee | $2,949 | $6,994 |
| Texas | $2,766 | $6,561 |
| Utah | $3,010 | $7,138 |
| Vermont | $3,040 | $7,210 |
| Virginia | $2,827 | $6,705 |
| Washington | $3,374 | $8,003 |
| West Virginia | $2,766 | $6,561 |
| Wisconsin | $3,222 | $7,643 |
| Wyoming | $3,010 | $7,138 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fence cost per foot in 2026?
Installed costs commonly run $10–$30 per foot for chain link, $18–$45 for wood, $25–$55 for vinyl, and $25–$65 for aluminum at 6 ft tall. So 150 feet of wood fence with a gate typically lands around $3,000–$7,200 before state adjustments.
What's the cheapest fence material?
Chain link is the lowest installed cost, followed by wood. Vinyl and aluminum cost more upfront but cut long-term maintenance — vinyl never needs staining and aluminum won't rust. The cheapest choice over 20 years isn't always the cheapest to install.
How much does fence height change the price?
A lot. Going from 6 ft to 8 ft adds taller posts, more material per foot, and often heavier footings — roughly a 30% premium here. Dropping to 4 ft saves around 20%. Taller fences may also trigger permit requirements.
How much does a fence gate add?
A standard walk gate adds a few hundred dollars for the frame, hinges, latch, and install. Wide driveway or double gates cost considerably more — price those with our gate cost calculator.
Do I need a permit to build a fence?
Often yes, especially above a certain height or on a corner lot, and your locality or HOA may dictate height, setback, and which side faces out. Always call for utility line locates before digging post holes — it's free and required almost everywhere.
Disclaimer: Estimates are for planning only and reflect typical ranges, not quotes. Actual costs vary with site conditions, design complexity, local permits, and contractor availability. Pricing approach: national averages cross-referenced from public cost guides, adjusted by a state construction cost index — see our methodology.
Price data sources: Homewyse, HomeGuide, Angi, Fixr & Ergeon 2025–2026 fence installation guides (cross-referenced, 6 ft installed); This Old House fencing cost overview; Lowe's / Home Depot retail fence panel, post, and picket pricing. Last updated: June 2026.