How this calculator works
A privacy fence is a regular fence with no gaps, and that solid face is exactly why it costs more per foot. This tool prices it by material and height, then adjusts for your state.
Why the per-foot rate runs higher
Privacy panels run board to board, so you’re buying more material per linear foot than with an open-style fence. Labor to dig and set posts is about the same, which is why these ranges sit above the general fence calculator.
Per foot vs. per section
Some contractors and stores price by the section instead of the foot. Most wood privacy sections are 8 feet post to post, so multiply the per-foot rate by eight: at 6 ft that’s roughly $160–$440 per installed section in wood, $256–$496 in vinyl, and $368–$720 in composite. Many vinyl panels are 6 feet wide instead, so check the width before you convert. On a per-section bid, ask whether the post and its concrete are included or just the panel.
Measuring your fence line
Measure where the fence will actually stand, not the lot dimensions on your plat, and add each side separately. Skip any stretch where a house or garage wall closes the gap, and leave gate openings out of the length, since gates are priced on their own here. Divide by the section width and round up to see how many sections you’re paying for.
Height and your state
Six feet is the backyard standard. The 8 ft option adds about 30% and often needs a permit, so confirm your local limit first. Everything is then scaled by your state’s labor-driven cost index. Switch to DIY for materials-only pricing.
2026 installed privacy fence cost per linear foot (6 ft)
Solid privacy panels use more material per foot than spaced pickets, so these run higher than a general-purpose fence. Baseline is 6 ft.
| Option | Low (per linear ft) | High (per linear ft) | Typical (per linear ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood (cedar/pine, solid board) | $20 | $55 | $36 |
| Vinyl privacy panel | $32 | $62 | $44 |
| Composite privacy panel | $46 | $90 | $62 |
Estimated cost by state
Typical installed range for 150 ft of 6 ft wood privacy 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 | $2,909 | $7,540 |
| Alaska | $3,890 | $10,083 |
| Arizona | $3,247 | $8,417 |
| Arkansas | $2,977 | $7,715 |
| California | $3,788 | $9,820 |
| Colorado | $3,315 | $8,592 |
| Connecticut | $3,619 | $9,381 |
| Delaware | $3,247 | $8,417 |
| District of Columbia | $3,383 | $8,768 |
| Florida | $3,146 | $8,154 |
| Georgia | $3,044 | $7,891 |
| Hawaii | $4,330 | $11,222 |
| Idaho | $3,281 | $8,504 |
| Illinois | $3,890 | $10,083 |
| Indiana | $3,450 | $8,943 |
| Iowa | $3,383 | $8,768 |
| Kansas | $3,180 | $8,241 |
| Kentucky | $3,180 | $8,241 |
| Louisiana | $3,078 | $7,978 |
| Maine | $3,247 | $8,417 |
| Maryland | $3,247 | $8,417 |
| Massachusetts | $3,991 | $10,346 |
| Michigan | $3,416 | $8,855 |
| Minnesota | $3,788 | $9,820 |
| Mississippi | $3,010 | $7,803 |
| Missouri | $3,653 | $9,469 |
| Montana | $3,383 | $8,768 |
| Nebraska | $3,247 | $8,417 |
| Nevada | $3,450 | $8,943 |
| New Hampshire | $3,383 | $8,768 |
| New Jersey | $3,991 | $10,346 |
| New Mexico | $3,044 | $7,891 |
| New York | $3,721 | $9,644 |
| North Carolina | $3,146 | $8,154 |
| North Dakota | $3,416 | $8,855 |
| Ohio | $3,585 | $9,294 |
| Oklahoma | $3,112 | $8,066 |
| Oregon | $3,518 | $9,118 |
| Pennsylvania | $3,450 | $8,943 |
| Rhode Island | $3,687 | $9,557 |
| South Carolina | $3,180 | $8,241 |
| South Dakota | $3,146 | $8,154 |
| Tennessee | $3,180 | $8,241 |
| Texas | $3,078 | $7,978 |
| Utah | $3,281 | $8,504 |
| Vermont | $3,349 | $8,680 |
| Virginia | $3,112 | $8,066 |
| Washington | $3,687 | $9,557 |
| West Virginia | $3,180 | $8,241 |
| Wisconsin | $3,585 | $9,294 |
| Wyoming | $3,180 | $8,241 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a privacy fence cost per foot?
Installed at 6 ft, solid privacy fencing typically runs $20–$55 per foot for wood, $32–$62 for vinyl, and $46–$90 for composite, before your state's adjustment. Going to 8 ft pushes those rates up, so wood lands around $26–$72 per foot. Gates are priced separately, not folded into the per-foot rate.
What's the average price of a privacy fence?
For this calculator's reference job, 150 feet of 6 ft wood privacy fence with one gate, the national range is about $3,400–$8,800 installed before your state's adjustment. Vinyl and composite land higher. For a full breakdown of what sits behind that average, see our privacy fence cost guide.
Why does a privacy fence cost more than a regular fence?
There are no gaps — a solid fence uses full boards or panels edge to edge, so it consumes more material per foot than a spaced-picket or chain-link fence. That extra material is most of the price difference; the labor to set posts is similar.
6-foot or 8-foot privacy fence?
Six feet is the standard for backyard privacy and is what most codes allow without special approval. Eight feet adds real seclusion and sound buffering but costs about 30% more here and frequently requires a permit or variance. Check your local height limit before committing.
Which privacy fence material lasts longest with least upkeep?
Vinyl and composite shrug off weather and never need staining, though they cost more upfront. Wood is cheaper and looks classic but needs sealing every few years to resist graying, warping, and rot. Pick based on how much weekend maintenance you're willing to do.
Can I install a privacy fence myself?
Yes, on flat ground with cooperative soil — switch to DIY for materials-only pricing. The work is heavier than a picket fence because the panels are bigger and the wind load is higher, so posts need solid concrete footings. Long runs and slopes are where a pro crew earns their fee.
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 privacy fence guide — 6 ft wood or vinyl $25–$60/lf, 8 ft $50–$85/lf, vinyl privacy $40–$60/lf, composite privacy $55–$85/lf: https://homeguide.com/costs/privacy-fence-cost; HomeGuide 2026 wood fence guide — cedar privacy averages $35–$40/lf, basic pine $20–$45, premium pressure-treated pine and western red cedar $45–$90: https://homeguide.com/costs/wood-fence-cost; HomeGuide 2026 composite fencing guide — $35–$95/lf installed, typical job around $60/lf: https://homeguide.com/costs/composite-fencing-cost; Homewyse May 2026 wood privacy fence calculator — $33.07–$53.00/lf for a 6 ft fence in 1x6 boards on 4x4 posts set in concrete: https://www.homewyse.com/services/cost_to_install_wood_privacy_fence.html; Angi 2026 privacy fence data — about $4,700 for 150 linear ft at 6 ft and about $6,300 at 8 ft: https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-privacy-fence-cost.htm. Last updated: September 2026.