fence Exterior · Fence

Modern horizontal-slat cedar privacy fence in a landscaped backyard

Fence Cost Calculator

Compare wood, vinyl, chain-link, composite, and aluminum fence costs side by side for your state. Instant estimate, no sign-up.

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1. Your Fence

Fence Length

Total Linear Feet

Fence Height

Number of Gates

Gate Type

Total fence: 150 linear feet

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2. Your Location

State

Removing an Existing Fence?

Material Cost Overrides ($ per linear foot installed)

Chain-Link ($/lf)

Wood ($/lf)

Vinyl ($/lf)

Composite ($/lf)

Aluminum ($/lf)

Removal ($/lf)

Prices are national averages adjusted by state-level labor cost multipliers and fence height. For exact quotes, get estimates from local contractors. Use Advanced Settings to enter your actual contractor quotes.

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Fence Material Reference

Chain-Link

$10–$25/ft · 25 yr lifespan

Wood

$15–$35/ft · 18 yr lifespan

Vinyl

$25–$50/ft · 30 yr lifespan

Composite

$20–$45/ft · 25 yr lifespan

Aluminum

$30–$75/ft · 40 yr lifespan

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3. Your Fence Cost Comparison

Material	$/Foot	Material	Labor	Gates	Total	Lifespan	Cost/Year
Select a state above to see your cost comparison.

Estimates based on national averages adjusted for your state, fence height, and gate selection. Actual costs depend on terrain, soil conditions, existing landscaping, property line surveys, and contractor pricing. This is a planning tool, not a binding quote. Get at least 3 quotes from local contractors.

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How This Calculator Works

This calculator estimates the total installed cost of five common fence materials based on your fence length, height, gate requirements, and state.

Material costs use national average price ranges from contractor pricing surveys. Each material has a low and high end — the calculator uses the midpoint, adjusted by your state's regional labor cost multiplier. Prices scale by fence height: a 4-foot fence costs roughly 70% of a 6-foot fence, while an 8-foot fence costs about 140%.

Gate costs are added separately based on the gate type and material. Walk gates (3-4 ft) add $150–$600 per gate depending on the fence material. Double/drive gates (8-10 ft) cost roughly 2.5× more than walk gates.

Regional multipliers reflect that labor and material delivery costs vary across the country. States are grouped into four tiers: Low cost (rural South/Midwest, 0.85×), Average (most states, 1.0×), High (Northeast/West Coast, 1.15×), and Very High (NYC metro, SF Bay Area, Hawaii, Alaska, 1.30×).

Cost per year divides the total installation cost by expected lifespan. This is the fairest way to compare materials — chain-link is cheap upfront and lasts 20+ years, but a vinyl fence lasts 30 years with zero maintenance. The "BEST VALUE" tag highlights the material with the lowest annual cost.

Cheapest Option

Select a state — Total installed cost for your fence

Materials —

Labor —

Cost per year —

Lifespan —

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No email, phone number, or sign-up required. State-level pricing adjustments use Bureau of Labor Statistics regional cost data.

Fence Cost Guides

In-depth articles on materials, costs, and decisions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common fence cost questions.

How much does it cost to build a fence?

A new fence costs between $5 and $75 per linear foot depending on the material and height. For a typical 150-linear-foot backyard fence at 6 feet tall, expect to pay $1,500–$3,750 for chain-link, $2,250–$5,250 for wood, $3,750–$7,500 for vinyl, or $4,500–$11,250 for aluminum. Regional labor costs can push these prices 15–30% higher in major metro areas.

What is the cheapest fence material?

Chain-link is the cheapest fence material at $10–$25 per linear foot installed for a 4-foot height. For privacy fencing, wood is the cheapest option at $15–$35 per linear foot for a 6-foot privacy fence. However, wood requires staining or sealing every 2–3 years and lasts about 15–20 years, while vinyl costs more upfront but lasts 25–30 years with virtually no maintenance.

How long does a vinyl fence last?

A quality vinyl fence lasts 25–30 years with minimal maintenance. Unlike wood, vinyl won't rot, warp, or need painting. It can become brittle in extreme cold or fade slightly in intense sun, but most manufacturers offer 20+ year warranties. On a cost-per-year basis, vinyl is often comparable to or cheaper than wood despite the higher upfront cost.

How much does a privacy fence cost?

A 6-foot privacy fence costs $15–$35 per linear foot for wood, $25–$50 per linear foot for vinyl, or $20–$45 per linear foot for composite. For a typical 150-foot backyard, that's $2,250–$5,250 for wood privacy, $3,750–$7,500 for vinyl privacy, or $3,000–$6,750 for composite. The style (solid board, board-on-board, shadowbox) also affects price.

Do I need a permit to build a fence?

Most cities and counties require a permit for fences over 6 feet tall, and many require permits for any fence in the front yard. Permit costs typically range from $20–$400 depending on your municipality. You'll also need to check your property lines (a survey costs $300–$800) and HOA rules before building. Always call 811 to mark underground utilities before digging post holes.

How much fence do I need for my yard?

A typical backyard fence for a quarter-acre lot runs 150–200 linear feet. A full perimeter fence for the same lot (minus the house frontage) is roughly 250–350 linear feet. Measure each side of the area you want to fence using a tape measure or satellite view on Google Maps for an accurate estimate.