Chain-link fence cost in Boise, ID
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,450 – $5,850
- Per linear ft
- $9.55 – $38
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #164
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a chain-link fence in the Boise area: $1,450 to $5,850 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 5% lower than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $22.84 an hour in the Boise area, 1% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Boise, ID, standard level
$2,800 to $4,500
About $18 to $29.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,550 |
| Labor | $1,550 | $2,850 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $120 |
| Total | $2,800 | $4,500 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Boise, ID
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $870 | $1,350 | $1,900 | 38% |
| Labor | $560 | $2,200 | $3,800 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 3% |
| Total | $1,450 | $3,650 | $5,850 | 100% |
Where the Boise price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 60% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $22.84 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Boise is 0.94 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 60% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Boise is at 96.2 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 98.4: $40 to $150.
Who does the work: Boise 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 Boise the blend is 0.94.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 60%) the local median is $22.84 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.98 and $25.18 an hour. BLS counts 4,700 of them working in the area, 120.0 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 $24.45 an hour, 16% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.63 and $30.30 an hour. About 4,080 work in the metro. That is 104.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $140 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $180. That is a swing of roughly 4.8% to 3.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Boise City has 391,790 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 67th 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% | $19.98 | $22.84 | $25.18 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $21.63 | $24.45 | $30.30 | $29.12 | 0.84 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.94 | |||||
The best months for chain-link fence in Boise
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Boise Air Terminal (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 Boise are February through June and September through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, January and December have an average daytime high under 45°F, and July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January and December the average high stays below 45°F. Sealants, adhesives and some materials, such as vinyl, are harder to install well in the cold, and short daylight cuts the working day.
Boise gets about 12 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 18 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, May and December (1.5 inches in December). Inside the workable window, June and September are the driest, at 0.8 and 0.4 inches. The station averages about 55 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 | 39 | 26 | 1.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 46 | 29 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Mar | 56 | 35 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 62 | 40 | 1.2 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 48 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 81 | 54 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 93 | 62 | 0.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 91 | 61 | 0.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 80 | 53 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 65 | 42 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 32 | 1.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 39 | 25 | 1.5 | Cold |
Boise: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Boise. 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
$1,450 to $3,200
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$2,800 to $4,500
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$4,100 to $5,850
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $990 – $2,150 | $1,900 – $3,050 | $2,750 – $3,950 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,800 – $4,500 | $4,100 – $5,850 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $1,950 – $4,250 | $3,700 – $6,000 | $5,400 – $7,750 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $2,900 – $6,350 | $5,500 – $8,950 | $8,050 – $11,500 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Boise bid
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).
Boise against nearby metros and the rest of Idaho
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 150 linear ft range from $3,600 to $4,100 across Boise and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise, IDthis page | $1,450 – $5,850 | $3,650 | |
| Idaho Falls, ID190 miles | $1,450 – $5,800 | $3,600 | −1% |
| Logan, UT235 miles | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | −2% |
| Salt Lake City, UT235 miles | $1,500 – $6,100 | $3,800 | +4% |
| Bend, OR250 miles | $1,650 – $6,600 | $4,100 | +12% |
| Ogden, UT255 miles | $1,450 – $5,700 | $3,600 | −2% |
| Idaho (statewide) | $1,450 – $5,850 | $3,650 | level |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | +5% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Boise ranks #164 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Boise is 0% below the Idaho figure.
Elsewhere in Idaho
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls, ID | 81,840 jobs | $1,450 – $5,800 | $3,600 | −1% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 72,280 jobs | $1,500 – $6,150 | $3,850 | +5% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Boise against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC | 394,170 jobs | $1,450 – $5,650 | $3,550 | −3% |
| Tucson, AZ | 389,630 jobs | $1,450 – $5,650 | $3,550 | −3% |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $1,400 – $5,500 | $3,450 | −5% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $1,550 – $6,250 | $3,900 | +7% |
Planning more than one job in Boise?
Jobs that often go together with chain-link fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Boise wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (−1%) and wood fence lowest (−6%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $2,850 – $7,200 | −6% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,350 – $8,700 | −5% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,600 – $10,800 | −5% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,450 – $10,100 | −1% |
Optional extras in Boise
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.95 for Boise, which is the average of the area's wage index (0.94) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $75 – $950 |
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 $2,800 to $4,500 for Boise, ID is attached.
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Chain-link fence in Boise: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Boise?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,450 to $5,850 in the Boise area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,800 to $4,500. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Boise?
About $9.55 to $38 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $40 to $150 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $40.
+Is chain-link fence cheaper in Boise or Idaho Falls?
Idaho Falls is 190 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $3,600, which is 1% less than Boise ($3,650). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Boise?
About 60% at the midpoint, or $2,200 out of $3,650. Materials are 38% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Boise?
$1,950 to $7,750. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Boise?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $40 to $150 for fees in the Boise area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Boise expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of Idaho?
Boise is 0% below the Idaho statewide estimate ($3,650 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Idaho; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Boise?
The BLS median is $22.84 an hour in the Boise area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.98 to $25.18.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Boise?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,450 to $3,200 and premium work $4,100 to $5,850. 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 Boise?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through June and September through November. June and September 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 Boise?
$75 to $950, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Boise
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).