Chain-link fence cost in Lexington, KY
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,450 – $5,800
- Per linear ft
- $9.50 – $37.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −6%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #170
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a chain-link fence in Lexington, plan on $1,450 to $5,800 for 150 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $9.50 to $37.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 6% lower than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $22.26 an hour in the Lexington area, 2% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Lexington, KY, standard level
$2,750 to $4,500
About $18 to $29 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,550 |
| Labor | $1,550 | $2,800 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $2,750 | $4,500 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Lexington, KY
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $870 | $1,350 | $1,900 | 38% |
| Labor | $560 | $2,150 | $3,800 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $90 | $140 | 2% |
| Total | $1,450 | $3,650 | $5,800 | 100% |
Why Lexington prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 60% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $22.26 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Lexington is 0.93 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 60% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Lexington metro is 96.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $1,350, compared with $1,450 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (92.9) and land at $35 to $140.
Is Lexington cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (150 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Cincinnati is the priciest of the group at $4,000. Bowling Green is the cheapest at $3,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington, KYthis page | $1,450 – $5,800 | $3,650 | |
| Cincinnati, OH65 miles | $1,550 – $6,400 | $4,000 | +10% |
| Louisville, KY70 miles | $1,500 – $5,950 | $3,750 | +3% |
| Huntington, WV100 miles | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | −1% |
| Dayton, OH120 miles | $1,500 – $6,250 | $3,900 | +7% |
| Bowling Green, KY130 miles | $1,450 – $5,600 | $3,500 | −3% |
| Kentucky (statewide) | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | level |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | +6% |
Across 300 US metros, Lexington comes in at #170 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $5,450; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $3,000 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Lexington is 0% above the Kentucky figure.
Other Kentucky metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KY | 685,190 jobs | $1,500 – $5,950 | $3,750 | +3% |
| Bowling Green, KY | 82,160 jobs | $1,450 – $5,600 | $3,500 | −3% |
Cities with a workforce like Lexington's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lexington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, ME | 288,480 jobs | $1,550 – $6,250 | $3,900 | +8% |
| New Haven, CT | 281,410 jobs | $1,650 – $6,950 | $4,300 | +18% |
| Stockton, CA | 289,660 jobs | $1,700 – $7,000 | $4,350 | +20% |
| Reno, NV | 275,680 jobs | $1,550 – $6,350 | $3,950 | +9% |
Lexington labor market for chain-link fence
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 2 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Lexington is 0.93 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 60% of the weighting: a median of $22.26 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.37 and $24.40 an hour. About 1,810 work in the metro. That is 63.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 40%) the local median is $25.01 an hour, which is 14% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.63 and $29.61 an hour. BLS counts 1,200 of them working in the area, 41.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($24.40 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $130. At the 25th percentile ($18.37) it shrinks by about $240. The total moves by 3.6% or 6.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 286,910 jobs in the Lexington-Fayette area. That makes it the 90th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.18% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 60% | $18.37 | $22.26 | $24.40 | $22.66 | 0.98 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $22.63 | $25.01 | $29.61 | $29.12 | 0.86 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.93 | |||||
Climate in Lexington: timing your chain-link fence job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Lexington Bluegrass Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
February through December is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Lexington (11 of 12 months). January has an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January 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.
Lexington gets about 50 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 15 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (5.4 inches in May). Inside the workable window, September and November are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.4 inches. The station averages about 25 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 | 42 | 25 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 47 | 28 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Mar | 56 | 36 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 67 | 45 | 4.4 | Workable |
| May | 76 | 55 | 5.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 63 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 67 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 65 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 58 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 69 | 47 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 56 | 36 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 46 | 30 | 4.2 | Workable |
Planning more than one job in Lexington?
Because every project leans on different trades, Lexington's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gravel driveway runs −3% and wood fence −6%.
| 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 – $10,900 | −5% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,450 – $9,900 | −3% |
Lexington: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Lexington 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 4 common sizes.
Basic
$1,450 to $3,200
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$2,750 to $4,500
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$4,050 to $5,800
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $990 – $2,150 | $1,850 – $3,050 | $2,750 – $3,900 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,450 – $3,200 | $2,750 – $4,500 | $4,050 – $5,800 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $1,950 – $4,250 | $3,650 – $5,950 | $5,400 – $7,700 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $2,900 – $6,300 | $5,450 – $8,900 | $8,050 – $11,400 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Lexington bid
Height
A 4-ft fence runs $10-$20 per linear foot; 6- to 8-ft backyard fences run $15-$40+ (HomeGuide).
Coating
Black or green vinyl-coated mesh costs more than galvanized.
Gates
Gates are $80-$1,000+ before installation. Rolling or slide gates are the expensive end.
Add-ons priced for Lexington
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Lexington by the average of the local wage index (0.93) and goods index (0.96), a factor of 0.95. 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) | $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 $2,750 to $4,500 for Lexington, KY is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the chain-link fence numbers for Lexington, KY 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 Lexington: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Lexington?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,450 to $5,800 in the Lexington area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,750 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 Lexington?
About $9.50 to $37.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $35 to $140 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $40.
+Is chain-link fence cheaper in Lexington or Cincinnati?
Cincinnati is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $4,000, which is 10% more than Lexington ($3,650). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lexington?
About 60% at the midpoint, or $2,150 out of $3,650. Materials are 38% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Lexington?
$1,950 to $7,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Lexington?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $35 to $140 for fees in the Lexington area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lexington expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of Kentucky?
Lexington is 0% above the Kentucky statewide estimate ($3,600 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Kentucky; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Lexington?
The BLS median is $22.26 an hour in the Lexington area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.37 to $24.40.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Lexington?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,450 to $3,200 and premium work $4,050 to $5,800. 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 Lexington?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through December. September and November 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 Lexington?
$75 to $950, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Lexington
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).