Chain-link fence cost in Tuscaloosa, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,350 – $5,200
- Per linear ft
- $8.95 – $34
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −15%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #271
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a chain-link fence in the Tuscaloosa area: $1,350 to $5,200 for 150 linear ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 15% lower than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $17.53 an hour in the Tuscaloosa area, 23% below the US median of $22.66.
Estimate your chain-link fence cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Tuscaloosa, AL, standard level
$2,500 to $4,050
About $16.50 to $26.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 56% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,600 |
| Labor | $1,300 | $2,350 |
| Permits and fees | $65 | $100 |
| Total | $2,500 | $4,050 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $870 | $1,350 | $1,900 | 42% |
| Labor | $470 | $1,850 | $3,200 | 56% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $85 | $130 | 3% |
| Total | $1,350 | $3,300 | $5,200 | 100% |
Why Tuscaloosa prices look the way they do
Labor is 56% of the midpoint bill here, against 60% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is construction laborers (60%), carpenters (40%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Tuscaloosa the blended ratio comes out at 0.79.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Tuscaloosa is at 96.4 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,450 nationally becomes $1,350 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 87.7: $35 to $130.
Add-ons priced for Tuscaloosa
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.88 for Tuscaloosa, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.79) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $70 – $880 |
Tuscaloosa against nearby metros and the rest of Alabama
Same job, same size (150 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Birmingham is the priciest of the group at $3,350. Auburn is the cheapest at $3,250.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa, ALthis page | $1,350 – $5,200 | $3,300 | |
| Birmingham, AL60 miles | $1,400 – $5,350 | $3,350 | +3% |
| Montgomery, AL95 miles | $1,350 – $5,150 | $3,250 | level |
| Decatur, AL105 miles | $1,400 – $5,300 | $3,350 | +2% |
| Huntsville, AL130 miles | $1,400 – $5,250 | $3,300 | +1% |
| Auburn, AL140 miles | $1,350 – $5,150 | $3,250 | −1% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $1,400 – $5,200 | $3,300 | level |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | +17% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Tuscaloosa ranks #271 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Tuscaloosa is 0% below the Alabama figure.
Elsewhere in Alabama
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $1,400 – $5,350 | $3,350 | +3% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $1,400 – $5,250 | $3,300 | +1% |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $1,400 – $5,200 | $3,300 | level |
| Montgomery, AL | 165,550 jobs | $1,350 – $5,150 | $3,250 | level |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $1,400 – $5,250 | $3,300 | +1% |
| Auburn, AL | 72,710 jobs | $1,350 – $5,150 | $3,250 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Tuscaloosa against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laredo, TX | 109,370 jobs | $1,300 – $4,800 | $3,050 | −7% |
| Bend, OR | 108,240 jobs | $1,650 – $6,600 | $4,100 | +25% |
| Charlottesville, VA | 114,780 jobs | $1,500 – $5,850 | $3,650 | +12% |
| Columbia, MO | 107,680 jobs | $1,550 – $6,400 | $3,950 | +21% |
The best months for chain-link fence in Tuscaloosa
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Northport 2 S (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Tuscaloosa are September through May: 9 of 12. Outside them, June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Tuscaloosa gets about 57 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are February, March and April (5.6 inches in February). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.5 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 89 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56 | 35 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Feb | 61 | 38 | 5.6 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 45 | 5.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 76 | 52 | 5.4 | Workable |
| May | 84 | 60 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 68 | 5.3 | Hot |
| Jul | 92 | 71 | 4.9 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 71 | 4.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 87 | 65 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 78 | 53 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 67 | 42 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 58 | 37 | 5.2 | Workable |
Planning more than one job in Tuscaloosa?
Jobs that often go together with chain-link fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Tuscaloosa wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, vinyl fence comes out highest (−8%) and gravel driveway lowest (−13%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $2,650 – $6,850 | −11% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,250 – $8,400 | −8% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,400 – $10,300 | −10% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,200 – $8,900 | −13% |
Why two Tuscaloosa quotes can differ
Gates
Gates are $80-$1,000+ before installation. Rolling or slide gates are the expensive end.
Survey
A land survey ($300-$900) is worth it before you put a fence near a boundary.
Height
A 4-ft fence runs $10-$20 per linear foot; 6- to 8-ft backyard fences run $15-$40+ (HomeGuide).
Tuscaloosa: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Tuscaloosa. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from backyard (100 linear ft) to full lot (300 linear ft).
Basic
$1,350 to $2,900
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$2,500 to $4,050
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$3,650 to $5,200
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $930 – $1,950 | $1,700 – $2,750 | $2,500 – $3,500 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,350 – $2,900 | $2,500 – $4,050 | $3,650 – $5,200 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $1,800 – $3,850 | $3,350 – $5,350 | $4,850 – $6,900 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $2,700 – $5,750 | $5,000 – $8,000 | $7,250 – $10,300 |
Who does the work: Tuscaloosa trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Tuscaloosa the blend is 0.79.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 60%) the local median is $17.53 an hour, which is 23% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $14.59 and $20.69 an hour. BLS counts 1,110 of them working in the area, 102.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Carpenters (47-2031), 40% of the weighting: a median of $23.49 an hour, 19% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.52 and $27.84 an hour. About 260 work in the metro. That is 24.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $190 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $180. That is a swing of roughly 5.5% to 5.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Tuscaloosa has 108,460 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 192nd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 60% | $14.59 | $17.53 | $20.69 | $22.66 | 0.77 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $20.52 | $23.49 | $27.84 | $29.12 | 0.81 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.79 | |||||
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 $2,500 to $4,050 for Tuscaloosa, AL is attached.
Detailed chain-link fence report for Tuscaloosa, AL, $9
The report lays out the chain-link fence numbers for Tuscaloosa, AL line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Chain-link fence in Tuscaloosa: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Tuscaloosa?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,350 to $5,200 in the Tuscaloosa area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,500 to $4,050. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Tuscaloosa?
About $8.95 to $34 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $35 to $130 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $40.
+Is chain-link fence cheaper in Tuscaloosa or Birmingham?
Birmingham is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $3,350, which is 3% more than Tuscaloosa ($3,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Tuscaloosa?
About 56% at the midpoint, or $1,850 out of $3,300. Materials are 42% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Tuscaloosa?
$1,800 to $6,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Tuscaloosa?
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 Tuscaloosa area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Tuscaloosa expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of Alabama?
Tuscaloosa is 0% below the Alabama statewide estimate ($3,300 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Alabama; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Tuscaloosa?
The BLS median is $17.53 an hour in the Tuscaloosa area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $14.59 to $20.69.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Tuscaloosa?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,350 to $2,900 and premium work $3,650 to $5,200. Basic means: 4-ft galvanized, front yard. Premium means: vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates.
+When is the best time to install a chain-link fence in Tuscaloosa?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. September and October 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 Tuscaloosa?
$70 to $880, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Tuscaloosa
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 a Chain-Link Fence Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Visual Fence Pro: Chain Link Fence Cost & Pricing Guide for Contractors (2026) (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 = Visual Fence Pro's $6-$13 per foot for residential galvanized 4-6 ft fence (taller or vinyl-coated fence costs more).