Chain-link fence cost in Billings, MT
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
- $9.85 – $40
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #127
- 1 = most expensive
A chain-link fence in Billings, MT usually costs $1,500 to $6,150 for 150 linear ft. That works out to about $9.85 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 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.0).
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 Billings, MT, 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 | $1,650 | $3,050 |
| Permits and fees | $70 | $110 |
| Total | $2,900 | $4,750 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Billings, MT
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $860 | $1,350 | $1,850 | 36% |
| Labor | $610 | $2,350 | $4,100 | 62% |
| Permits and fees | $35 | $90 | $140 | 2% |
| Total | $1,500 | $3,800 | $6,150 | 100% |
What is behind the Billings number
Labor is 62% 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 Billings the blended ratio comes out at 1.02.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Billings is at 96.0 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 93.5: $35 to $140.
What local crews earn in Billings
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 Billings the blend is 1.02.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 60%) the local median is $23.68 an hour, which is 5% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.42 and $28.31 an hour. BLS counts 830 of them working in the area, 88.5 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 $28.34 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.84 and $30.83 an hour. About 530 work in the metro. That is 56.5 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 $290 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $140. That is a swing of roughly 3.6% to 7.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Billings has 93,800 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 213th 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% | $21.42 | $23.68 | $28.31 | $22.66 | 1.05 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $23.84 | $28.34 | $30.83 | $29.12 | 0.97 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.02 | |||||
Billings 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, Billings Logan Intl Ap (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 Billings 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.
Billings gets about 14 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 57 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (2.4 inches in May). Inside the workable window, August and November are the driest, at 0.9 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 32 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 | 36 | 18 | 0.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 39 | 20 | 0.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 49 | 27 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 57 | 35 | 1.7 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 44 | 2.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 77 | 52 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 59 | 1.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 58 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 49 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 37 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 46 | 27 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 36 | 19 | 0.6 | Cold |
Billings: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Billings. 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 – $8,100 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $3,000 – $6,650 | $5,700 – $9,400 | $8,450 – $12,100 |
Chain-link fence: what moves the price in Billings
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.
Optional extras in Billings
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 0.99 for Billings, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.02) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $80 – $990 |
Billings against nearby metros and the rest of Montana
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Billings. Rapid City is the lowest at about $3,550 (midpoint, 150 linear ft), 305 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MTthis page | $1,500 – $6,150 | $3,800 | |
| Bozeman, MT115 miles | $1,600 – $6,550 | $4,050 | +7% |
| Idaho Falls, ID225 miles | $1,450 – $5,800 | $3,600 | −5% |
| Missoula, MT275 miles | $1,500 – $6,100 | $3,800 | level |
| Logan, UT300 miles | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | −6% |
| Rapid City, SD305 miles | $1,450 – $5,650 | $3,550 | −7% |
| Montana (statewide) | $1,500 – $6,150 | $3,850 | level |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | +1% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Billings ranks #127 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Billings is 0% below the Montana figure.
Elsewhere in Montana
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | 72,210 jobs | $1,600 – $6,550 | $4,050 | +7% |
| Missoula, MT | 67,070 jobs | $1,500 – $6,100 | $3,800 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Billings against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $1,650 – $7,000 | $4,350 | +14% |
| Iowa City, IA | 93,760 jobs | $1,450 – $5,750 | $3,600 | −6% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $1,350 – $5,200 | $3,300 | −14% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $1,600 – $6,850 | $4,250 | +11% |
What nearby projects cost in Billings
Jobs that often go together with chain-link fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Billings wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (level) and vinyl fence lowest (−3%); 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 | $4,400 – $8,900 | −3% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,700 – $11,100 | −2% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,200 | level |
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 $2,900 to $4,750 for Billings, MT is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
The report lays out the chain-link fence numbers for Billings, MT 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 Billings: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Billings?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,500 to $6,150 in the Billings 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 Billings?
About $9.85 to $40 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 Billings or Bozeman?
Bozeman is 115 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $4,050, which is 7% more than Billings ($3,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Billings?
About 62% at the midpoint, or $2,350 out of $3,800. Materials are 36% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Billings?
$2,000 to $8,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Billings?
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 Billings area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Billings expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of Montana?
Billings is 0% below the Montana statewide estimate ($3,850 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Montana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Billings?
The BLS median is $23.68 an hour in the Billings area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.42 to $28.31.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Billings?
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 Billings?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. August 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 Billings?
$80 to $990, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Billings
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).