Aluminum fence cost in McAllen, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,200 – $9,850
- Per linear ft
- $21 – $64.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −14%
- US $7,600
- Rank of 300 metros
- #299
- 1 = most expensive
McAllen homeowners pay roughly $3,200 to $9,850 to install an aluminum fence at 150 linear ft, or $21 to $64.50 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, McAllen is 14% lower. Carpenters earn a median of $19.97 an hour in the McAllen area, 31% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in McAllen, TX, standard level
$5,200 to $7,850
About $34.50 to $51.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 29% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $3,600 | $5,550 |
| Labor | $1,550 | $2,200 |
| Permits and fees | $65 | $100 |
| Total | $5,200 | $7,850 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in McAllen, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,100 | $4,550 | $7,050 | 70% |
| Labor | $1,050 | $1,850 | $2,700 | 29% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $80 | $130 | 1% |
| Total | $3,200 | $6,550 | $9,850 | 100% |
Where the McAllen price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 40% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $19.97 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for McAllen is 0.71 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 29% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the McAllen metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $4,550, compared with $4,900 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (85.9) and land at $35 to $130.
How McAllen compares
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than McAllen. Brownsville is the lowest at about $6,500 (midpoint, 150 linear ft), 50 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| McAllen, TXthis page | $3,200 – $9,850 | $6,550 | |
| Brownsville, TX50 miles | $3,200 – $9,800 | $6,500 | level |
| Corpus Christi, TX115 miles | $3,450 – $10,400 | $6,900 | +6% |
| Laredo, TX120 miles | $3,250 – $9,900 | $6,600 | +1% |
| San Antonio, TX210 miles | $3,400 – $10,300 | $6,850 | +5% |
| Austin, TX270 miles | $3,500 – $10,600 | $7,050 | +8% |
| Texas (statewide) | $3,500 – $10,700 | $7,100 | +9% |
| United States | $3,800 – $11,400 | $7,600 | +16% |
Across 300 US metros, McAllen comes in at #299 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $9,700; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $6,500 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, McAllen is 8% below the Texas figure.
Other Texas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $3,650 – $11,200 | $7,400 | +14% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $3,550 – $10,900 | $7,200 | +11% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $3,500 – $10,600 | $7,050 | +8% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $3,400 – $10,300 | $6,850 | +5% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $3,250 – $9,950 | $6,600 | +1% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $3,450 – $10,400 | $6,900 | +6% |
Cities with a workforce like McAllen's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is McAllen against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse, NY | 300,130 jobs | $3,850 – $11,500 | $7,650 | +18% |
| Toledo, OH | 291,530 jobs | $3,800 – $11,300 | $7,550 | +16% |
| Provo, UT | 304,660 jobs | $3,650 – $11,000 | $7,300 | +12% |
| Stockton, CA | 289,660 jobs | $4,150 – $12,400 | $8,300 | +27% |
What nearby projects cost in McAllen
Because every project leans on different trades, McAllen's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, vinyl fence runs −11% and chain-link fence −20%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,100 – $8,050 | −11% |
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $2,500 – $6,450 | −16% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,300 – $4,850 | −20% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $30,200 – $94,300 | −16% |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for McAllen is 0.71 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 40%) the local median is $19.97 an hour, which is 31% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $17.40 and $21.94 an hour. BLS counts 310 of them working in the area, 10.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $16.57 an hour, 27% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $14.08 and $18.08 an hour. About 1,360 work in the metro. That is 45.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For sheet metal workers (47-2211, weighted 20%) the local median is $21.81 an hour, which is 27% below the national $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $17.93 and $26.27 an hour. BLS counts 60 of them working in the area, 2.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 7.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($21.94 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $70. At the 25th percentile ($17.40) it shrinks by about $95. The total moves by 1.1% or 1.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 296,700 jobs in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area. That makes it the 86th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.19% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $17.40 | $19.97 | $21.94 | $29.12 | 0.69 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $14.08 | $16.57 | $18.08 | $22.66 | 0.73 | metro |
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 20% | $17.93 | $21.81 | $26.27 | $29.71 | 0.73 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.71 | |||||
Extras that change the McAllen total
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to McAllen by the average of the local wage index (0.71) and goods index (0.94), a factor of 0.83. Tick any of them in the estimator above to add them to your total. Treat these as planning figures: an add-on touches different trades than the main job, so the scaling is an approximation.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $170 – $740 |
Aluminum fence: what moves the price in McAllen
Pool codes
Many codes require a pool barrier with gaps under 4 inches, which influences the style you can buy.
Permit
A fence permit runs $40-$150.
Style
Aluminum picket runs $25-$50 per linear foot installed, ornamental fence $40-$75, and privacy designs $75-$130 (HomeGuide).
McAllen: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for McAllen wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$3,200 to $5,850
Standard picket or ornamental, 4 ft
Standard
$5,200 to $7,850
Ornamental pool-code fence, 4-5 ft
Premium
$7,200 to $9,850
Tall privacy slat or custom ornamental
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| pool fence (100 linear ft) | $2,150 – $3,950 | $3,500 – $5,250 | $4,800 – $6,600 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,200 – $5,850 | $5,200 – $7,850 | $7,200 – $9,850 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,250 – $7,800 | $6,900 – $10,400 | $9,550 – $13,100 |
When to schedule aluminum fence in McAllen
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Mcallen Miller Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
October through April is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in McAllen (7 of 12 months). May, June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
McAllen gets about 22 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (4.6 inches in September). Inside the workable window, January and February are the driest, at 0.8 and 0.7 inches. The station averages about 177 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 73 | 53 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 77 | 57 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Mar | 83 | 63 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 88 | 68 | 1.4 | Workable |
| May | 93 | 74 | 2.0 | Hot |
| Jun | 97 | 78 | 3.0 | Hot |
| Jul | 99 | 79 | 2.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 100 | 79 | 1.8 | Hot |
| Sep | 94 | 76 | 4.6 | Hot |
| Oct | 89 | 69 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 80 | 60 | 1.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 74 | 54 | 1.1 | Workable |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $5,200 to $7,850 for McAllen, TX is attached.
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Aluminum fence in McAllen: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an aluminum fence in McAllen?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,200 to $9,850 in the McAllen area. A standard-spec job lands at $5,200 to $7,850. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for aluminum fence in McAllen?
About $21 to $64.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $35 to $130 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $25 to $75.
+Is aluminum fence cheaper in McAllen or Brownsville?
Brownsville is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $6,500, which is 0% less than McAllen ($6,550). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in McAllen?
About 29% at the midpoint, or $1,850 out of $6,550. Materials are 70% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 35%.
+What would 150 ft (150 linear ft) cost in McAllen?
$3,200 to $9,850. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does aluminum fence need a permit in McAllen?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $35 to $130 for fees in the McAllen area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is McAllen expensive for aluminum fence compared with the rest of Texas?
McAllen is 8% below the Texas statewide estimate ($7,100 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in McAllen?
The BLS median is $19.97 an hour in the McAllen area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.40 to $21.94.
+What do basic and premium aluminum fence work cost in McAllen?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,200 to $5,850 and premium work $7,200 to $9,850. Basic means: standard picket or ornamental, 4 ft. Premium means: tall privacy slat or custom ornamental.
+When is the best time to install an aluminum fence in McAllen?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through April. January and February are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
+What does "add one gate" add in McAllen?
$170 to $740, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Aluminum fence near McAllen
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does an Aluminum Fence Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = installed range minus HomeGuide's $10-$25/ft labor range.