Chain-link fence cost in Trenton, NJ
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $1,750 – $7,550
- Per linear ft
- $11.50 – $49.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +21%
- US $3,850
- Rank of 300 metros
- #7
- 1 = most expensive
Trenton homeowners pay roughly $1,750 to $7,550 to install a chain-link fence at 150 linear ft, or $11.50 to $49.50 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Trenton is 21% higher. Construction laborers earn a median of $34.58 an hour in the Trenton area, 53% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Trenton, NJ, standard level
$3,500 to $5,800
About $23 to $38 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 67% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,200 | $1,650 |
| Labor | $2,200 | $4,050 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $3,500 | $5,800 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Trenton, NJ
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $900 | $1,400 | $1,950 | 31% |
| Labor | $810 | $3,150 | $5,450 | 67% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $100 | $150 | 2% |
| Total | $1,750 | $4,650 | $7,550 | 100% |
Where the Trenton price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 2 trades: construction laborers at 60%, carpenters at 40%. Weighted together, Trenton wages are 1.35 times the national level. Labor makes up about 67% of the midpoint estimate (60% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Trenton metro is 99.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 150 linear ft comes to $1,400, compared with $1,450 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (103.2) and land at $40 to $150.
Chain-link fence: what moves the price in Trenton
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).
When to schedule chain-link fence in Trenton
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Trenton Mercer Co Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where exterior installation runs into the fewest weather problems in Trenton (9 of 12 months). 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.
Trenton gets about 46 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 27 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (4.4 inches in July). Inside the workable window, April and November are the driest, at 3.6 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 22 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 | 40 | 24 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 43 | 26 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 51 | 33 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 63 | 42 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 52 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jun | 81 | 61 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 67 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 65 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 58 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 46 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 55 | 36 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 44 | 29 | 4.0 | Cold |
How Trenton compares
Same job, same size (150 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Trenton is the priciest of the group. Reading is the cheapest at $3,800.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton, NJthis page | $1,750 – $7,550 | $4,650 | |
| Philadelphia, PA40 miles | $1,600 – $6,550 | $4,050 | −13% |
| Allentown, PA50 miles | $1,550 – $6,250 | $3,900 | −16% |
| New York, NY55 miles | $1,800 – $7,450 | $4,650 | −1% |
| Reading, PA65 miles | $1,550 – $6,100 | $3,800 | −18% |
| Atlantic City, NJ70 miles | $1,600 – $6,550 | $4,100 | −12% |
| New Jersey (statewide) | $1,750 – $7,250 | $4,500 | −3% |
| United States | $1,550 – $6,150 | $3,850 | −17% |
Across 300 US metros, Trenton comes in at #7 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $5,450; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $3,000 (midpoints, 150 linear ft). Statewide, Trenton is 3% above the New Jersey figure.
Other New Jersey metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City, NJ | 168,700 jobs | $1,600 – $6,550 | $4,100 | −12% |
| Vineland, NJ | 62,300 jobs | $1,850 – $8,100 | $4,950 | +7% |
Cities with a workforce like Trenton's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Trenton against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Bay, FL | 245,170 jobs | $1,450 – $5,600 | $3,500 | −24% |
| Augusta, GA | 231,930 jobs | $1,450 – $5,600 | $3,500 | −25% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $1,550 – $6,100 | $3,800 | −18% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 225,520 jobs | $1,500 – $6,050 | $3,750 | −19% |
Cost by quality level and size in Trenton
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Trenton 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
$1,750 to $4,100
4-ft galvanized, front yard
Standard
$3,500 to $5,800
6-ft galvanized backyard fence
Premium
$5,250 to $7,550
Vinyl-coated, 8 ft, extra gates
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $1,200 – $2,750 | $2,350 – $3,900 | $3,550 – $5,100 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $1,750 – $4,100 | $3,500 – $5,800 | $5,250 – $7,550 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $2,300 – $5,400 | $4,650 – $7,700 | $6,950 – $10,000 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $3,450 – $8,050 | $6,900 – $11,500 | $10,400 – $15,000 |
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Trenton is 1.35 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 60% of the weighting: a median of $34.58 an hour, 53% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.43 and $51.14 an hour. About 960 work in the metro. That is 40.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 40%) the local median is $31.58 an hour, which is 8% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $25.60 and $51.38 an hour. BLS counts 610 of them working in the area, 25.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($51.14 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,000. At the 25th percentile ($23.43) it shrinks by about $690. The total moves by 21.9% or 14.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 240,190 jobs in the Trenton-Princeton area. That makes it the 105th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.15% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 60% | $23.43 | $34.58 | $51.14 | $22.66 | 1.53 | metro |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 40% | $25.60 | $31.58 | $51.38 | $29.12 | 1.08 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.35 | |||||
Optional extras in Trenton
Extras are quoted nationally and then scaled to Trenton by the average of the local wage index (1.35) and goods index (1.00), a factor of 1.17. 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) | $95 – $1,150 |
What nearby projects cost in Trenton
Because every project leans on different trades, Trenton's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gravel driveway runs +17% and vinyl fence +7%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence | 150 linear ft | $3,450 – $8,450 | +11% |
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,750 – $9,850 | +7% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $4,300 – $12,700 | +12% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,950 – $11,900 | +17% |
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 $3,500 to $5,800 for Trenton, NJ is attached.
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Chain-link fence in Trenton: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a chain-link fence in Trenton?
For 150 linear ft, expect $1,750 to $7,550 in the Trenton area. A standard-spec job lands at $3,500 to $5,800. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for chain-link fence in Trenton?
About $11.50 to $49.50 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 Trenton or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $4,050, which is 13% less than Trenton ($4,650). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Trenton?
About 67% at the midpoint, or $3,150 out of $4,650. Materials are 31% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 60%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Trenton?
$2,300 to $10,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does chain-link fence need a permit in Trenton?
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 Trenton area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Trenton expensive for chain-link fence compared with the rest of New Jersey?
Trenton is 3% above the New Jersey statewide estimate ($4,500 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in New Jersey; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Trenton?
The BLS median is $34.58 an hour in the Trenton area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.43 to $51.14.
+What do basic and premium chain-link fence work cost in Trenton?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $1,750 to $4,100 and premium work $5,250 to $7,550. 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 Trenton?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. April 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 Trenton?
$95 to $1,150, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Chain-link fence near Trenton
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).