Chain-link fence cost in Bloomington, IN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,500 – $6,150
- Per linear ft
- $9.75 – $40
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #128
- 1 = most expensive
A chain-link fence in Bloomington, IN usually costs $1,500 to $6,150 for 150 linear ft. That works out to about $9.75 to $40 per linear ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 94.3).
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Bloomington, IN, standard level
$2,900 to $4,750
About $19 to $31 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 62% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,550 |
| Labor | $1,700 | $3,100 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $2,900 | $4,750 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Bloomington, IN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $850 | $1,350 | $1,850 | 35% |
| Labor | $620 | $2,400 | $4,150 | 62% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $90 | $140 | 2% |
| Total | $1,500 | $3,800 | $6,150 | 100% |
What is behind the Bloomington number
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 60% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $23.42 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Bloomington is 1.03 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 62% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Bloomington is at 94.3 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 95.1: $40 to $140.
What local crews earn in Bloomington
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 Bloomington the blend is 1.03.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 60%) the local median is $23.42 an hour, which is 3% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.28 and $30.52 an hour. BLS counts 360 of them working in the area, 49.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Carpenters (47-2031), 40% of the weighting: a median of $29.50 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.82 and $35.36 an hour. About 270 work in the metro. That is 36.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $440 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $250. That is a swing of roughly 6.7% to 11.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Bloomington has 73,240 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 251st 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% | $19.28 | $23.42 | $30.52 | $22.66 | 1.03 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $23.82 | $29.50 | $35.36 | $29.12 | 1.01 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.03 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Bloomington
Jobs that often go together with chain-link fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Bloomington wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (−1%) and vinyl fence lowest (−4%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,000 – $7,450 | −2% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,350 – $8,800 | −4% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,700 – $11,100 | −3% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,100 | −1% |
Bloomington: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Bloomington. 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
$1,500 to $3,350
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$2,900 to $4,750
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$4,300 to $6,150
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,000 – $2,250 | $1,950 – $3,200 | $2,900 – $4,150 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,500 – $3,350 | $2,900 – $4,750 | $4,300 – $6,150 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $2,000 – $4,450 | $3,850 – $6,300 | $5,700 – $8,150 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $2,950 – $6,650 | $5,700 – $9,400 | $8,450 – $12,100 |
Why two Bloomington 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).
Optional extras in Bloomington
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.98 for Bloomington, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.03) and goods price index (0.94). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $80 – $980 |
Is Bloomington cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Bloomington. Terre Haute is the lowest at about $3,700 (midpoint, 150 linear ft), 40 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, INthis page | $1,500 – $6,150 | $3,800 | |
| Terre Haute, IN40 miles | $1,450 – $5,950 | $3,700 | −3% |
| Indianapolis, IN50 miles | $1,550 – $6,350 | $3,950 | +3% |
| Louisville, KY90 miles | $1,500 – $5,950 | $3,750 | −2% |
| Lafayette, IN90 miles | $1,500 – $6,250 | $3,900 | +2% |
| Evansville, IN95 miles | $1,550 – $6,450 | $4,000 | +5% |
| Indiana (statewide) | $1,550 – $6,250 | $3,900 | +2% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | +1% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Bloomington ranks #128 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Bloomington is 2% below the Indiana figure.
Elsewhere in Indiana
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis, IN | 1,105,170 jobs | $1,550 – $6,350 | $3,950 | +3% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 225,520 jobs | $1,500 – $6,050 | $3,750 | −1% |
| Evansville, IN | 135,250 jobs | $1,550 – $6,450 | $4,000 | +5% |
| South Bend, IN | 131,670 jobs | $1,500 – $6,250 | $3,900 | +2% |
| Elkhart, IN | 127,730 jobs | $1,500 – $6,200 | $3,850 | +1% |
| Lafayette, IN | 102,200 jobs | $1,500 – $6,250 | $3,900 | +2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Bloomington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului, HI | 73,750 jobs | $2,000 – $8,650 | $5,300 | +39% |
| Auburn, AL | 72,710 jobs | $1,350 – $5,150 | $3,250 | −15% |
| Rapid City, SD | 73,820 jobs | $1,450 – $5,650 | $3,550 | −7% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | 72,300 jobs | $1,500 – $5,900 | $3,700 | −3% |
Bloomington weather and the chain-link fence calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Bloomington Indiana Univ (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Bloomington are March through November: 9 of 12. Outside them, January, February and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February 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.
Bloomington gets about 49 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 18 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (5.4 inches in June). Inside the workable window, March and August are the driest, at 3.7 and 3.4 inches. The station averages about 21 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 | 37 | 21 | 3.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 42 | 23 | 3.0 | Cold |
| Mar | 52 | 32 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 64 | 42 | 5.2 | Workable |
| May | 74 | 53 | 5.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 62 | 5.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 65 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 85 | 64 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 79 | 56 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 44 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 53 | 34 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 41 | 26 | 3.5 | Cold |
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Chain-link fence in Bloomington: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Bloomington?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,500 to $6,150 in the Bloomington area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,900 to $4,750. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Bloomington?
About $9.75 to $40 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $40 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $40.
+Is chain-link fence cheaper in Bloomington or Terre Haute?
Terre Haute is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $3,700, which is 3% less than Bloomington ($3,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Bloomington?
About 62% at the midpoint, or $2,400 out of $3,800. Materials are 35% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Bloomington?
$2,000 to $8,150. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Bloomington?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $40 to $140 for fees in the Bloomington area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Bloomington expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of Indiana?
Bloomington is 2% below the Indiana statewide estimate ($3,900 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Indiana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Bloomington?
The BLS median is $23.42 an hour in the Bloomington area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.28 to $30.52.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Bloomington?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,500 to $3,350 and premium work $4,300 to $6,150. 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 Bloomington?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. March and August 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 Bloomington?
$80 to $980, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Bloomington
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).