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) | $20 | $50 | $32 |
| Vinyl / PVC | $28 | $60 | $40 |
| Chain link | $13 | $34 | $19 |
| 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 | $2,872 | $6,846 |
| Alaska | $3,841 | $9,154 |
| Arizona | $3,206 | $7,642 |
| Arkansas | $2,939 | $7,005 |
| California | $3,741 | $8,915 |
| Colorado | $3,273 | $7,801 |
| Connecticut | $3,574 | $8,517 |
| Delaware | $3,206 | $7,642 |
| District of Columbia | $3,340 | $7,960 |
| Florida | $3,106 | $7,403 |
| Georgia | $3,006 | $7,164 |
| Hawaii | $4,275 | $10,189 |
| Idaho | $3,240 | $7,721 |
| Illinois | $3,841 | $9,154 |
| Indiana | $3,407 | $8,119 |
| Iowa | $3,340 | $7,960 |
| Kansas | $3,140 | $7,482 |
| Kentucky | $3,140 | $7,482 |
| Louisiana | $3,039 | $7,244 |
| Maine | $3,206 | $7,642 |
| Maryland | $3,206 | $7,642 |
| Massachusetts | $3,941 | $9,393 |
| Michigan | $3,373 | $8,040 |
| Minnesota | $3,741 | $8,915 |
| Mississippi | $2,973 | $7,084 |
| Missouri | $3,607 | $8,597 |
| Montana | $3,340 | $7,960 |
| Nebraska | $3,206 | $7,642 |
| Nevada | $3,407 | $8,119 |
| New Hampshire | $3,340 | $7,960 |
| New Jersey | $3,941 | $9,393 |
| New Mexico | $3,006 | $7,164 |
| New York | $3,674 | $8,756 |
| North Carolina | $3,106 | $7,403 |
| North Dakota | $3,373 | $8,040 |
| Ohio | $3,540 | $8,438 |
| Oklahoma | $3,073 | $7,323 |
| Oregon | $3,474 | $8,278 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,407 | $8,119 |
| Rhode Island | $3,641 | $8,676 |
| South Carolina | $3,140 | $7,482 |
| South Dakota | $3,106 | $7,403 |
| Tennessee | $3,140 | $7,482 |
| Texas | $3,039 | $7,244 |
| Utah | $3,240 | $7,721 |
| Vermont | $3,307 | $7,880 |
| Virginia | $3,073 | $7,323 |
| Washington | $3,641 | $8,676 |
| West Virginia | $3,140 | $7,482 |
| Wisconsin | $3,540 | $8,438 |
| Wyoming | $3,140 | $7,482 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fence cost per foot in 2026?
Installed costs commonly run $13–$34 per foot for chain link, $20–$50 for wood, $28–$60 for vinyl, and $25–$65 for aluminum at 6 ft tall. So 150 feet of wood fence with a gate typically lands around $3,300–$8,000 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: HomeGuide 2026 fence installation guide — wood $20–$50, vinyl $30–$60, chain link $10–$40, aluminum $25–$75 per linear ft installed: https://homeguide.com/costs/fence-installation-cost; HomeGuide 2026 wood fence guide — 6 ft privacy $25–$60/lf, picket (3–5 ft) $20–$40/lf: https://homeguide.com/costs/wood-fence-cost; HomeGuide 2026 aluminum fence guide — $25–$75/lf installed, picket $25–$50, pool $30–$45: https://homeguide.com/costs/aluminum-fence-cost; HomeGuide 2026 chain-link guide — 4 ft $10–$20/lf, 6–8 ft $15–$40+/lf installed: https://homeguide.com/costs/chain-link-fence-cost; Fixr 2026 chain-link fence guide — installed $13.15–$28.50 galvanized, $18.75–$40.50 vinyl-coated; 6 ft $15.25–$25.40/lf: https://www.fixr.com/costs/chain-link-fence; Angi 2026 privacy fence data — 150 linear ft costs about $4,700 at 6 ft vs about $6,300 at 8 ft, the basis for the height factor: https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-privacy-fence-cost.htm; Homewyse May 2026 wood privacy fence calculator — $33.07–$53.00/lf installed at 6 ft: https://www.homewyse.com/services/cost_to_install_wood_privacy_fence.html. Last updated: September 2026.